 "Fool!" said my muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write." Sir Philip Sidney, English poet (1554-1586) EducationOr: Why I'm Moderately Qualified to Write Business Stuff Master of Business Administration (MBA), 1987 Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), 1984 Major: Human Resource Management Minor: Computer Science Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA Honors: Summa Cum Laude Beta Gamma Sigma President’s Medal |
It must be karmaRanging from college to celluloid to cows, penning prose for pay is something I keep accidentally tumbling into. (Reminding me of my standard caveat when I was a college students' advisor: 70% of us never work in the field of our degrees.) I began my wordsmith adventures as a student by helping found a writing critique center and serving as a writing consultant for Pacific Lutheran University. Later I authored an award-winning case study and edited professors’ writings while director of the university’s BBA program. When a national publication snapped up - for a surprising sum of money - my first how-to business article, I was hooked on the delight of being in print. Writing about my subsequent experiences as a business consultant, political lobbyist, community sparkplug (the news media's characterization), candidate for the state House, senate aide, and tavern proprietor has put a few snacks on the table. My byline has appeared in numerous trade journals and Entrepreneur, Nation’s Business, Executive Female, Independent Business, and Military Lifestyle, among others. Then a man and woman in my tavern overheard me talking about writing. Not knowing that I was a pragmatic, just-the-facts-ma'am business writer, they approached me "to tell their story." I was stunned to learn this quiet, unassuming couple was in the witness protection program. Teaming with an experienced screenwriter for the project diverted me onto the path of a genre I'd never thought to tread. The thrill of optioning this first creative endeavor, and a contract offer for a related novel, swept aside any commercial writing for a time. My inside look at the fun but totally wacky movie biz was a character-building experience. More screenplays simmer, waiting to be pasted to page, while I toil for a military newsweekly, weed fact from fad for consumer health articles, and scout obscure but intriquing roadside attractions for travel magazines . Jean |
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