I wrote my very first story in kindergarten. It told the uneven-yet-compelling tale of a spider who loved JellO and included painstakingly-drawn illustrations.
In the following years, I gave up on the drawing, but I never lost the desire to tell stories. These days, as a journalist and writer, I tell other people’s stories. I told the story of a young man paralyzed in a freak wrestling accident for a newspaper article. I told the story of a travel nurse who worked her way through the terrifying early months of Covid. I told the story of a school superintenent who dreamed of moving to the wilds of Alaska as a young boy and then actually followed through 30 years later. I told the story of a young mother who became her father’s caregiver when Alzheimer’s disease began to rob him of the ablity to live his life on his own.
Along the way, I earned a master’s degree in journalism with an emphasis on public policy from the University of Maryland, and I have become a member of several professional organizations, including ASJA, as well as the Society of Professional Journalists, National Association of Science Writers, and the Association of Healthcare Journalists. I’ve written for a long list of national, local and trade publications during my career so far. I’ve also written content for corporate newsletters, intranet sites, video scripts, annual reports, and case studies.
Most of us who call ourselves writers are also readers. That helps me remember why I do what I do. “Would I read this?” I ask myself after sketching out a first draft. “What can I do to improve this?” If I don’t think it’s an interesting read, why would I expect someone else to? That’s been one of my guiding principles–and it’s never let me down. My goal is to write articles, copy, stories, newsletters, or blog posts that are accurate, complete, accessible, and yes, compelling. Even without the spider drawings.
Subjects
Healthcare workforce, Nursing, Physicians, Allied health, Primary care, Medical education, Diabetes, Women’s health, Oncology
Skills
As author, unless indicated otherwise.
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