About
I didn't start out to become a writer. Like many others I've met, I just kind of fell into it. And it turns out that I really, really enjoy it, so I've kept at it.
I graduated from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque with a bachelor's degree in Finance. But the writing work grew out of my tendency to create my own desk procedures. I worked as a financial analyst for several years and would have to perform certain tasks once a month as part of the business financial cycle. Having the desk procedures helped me to make sure I included all the required steps in the process.
After I had been working as a financial analyst for nearly 2 years, I had my first exposure to a technical writer on a project. She and I became friends and I learned more about what she did for a living. The work looked very familiar to the work I had been doing on my own - lots of explanatory text and step-by-step procedures.
About a year later, I was working for a company that was - how shall I say? - less than desirable. I took a calculated risk and left the company in order to preserve my health and sanity. I remembered the work I had seen from my technical writer friend and decided that I would try to get a job doing that kind of work. I had writing samples from my finance jobs, so I went for it. Turns out, the first documentation job I got was due to my Excel skills! But then they found out I was organized and could write well on top of that, and the rest is history.
I've been lucky enough to work with a whole bunch of great clients in three different countries and meet some amazing people over the years. Mixing it up keeps me interested and engaged, and hopefully learning new things on a daily basis. I absolutely love researching, organizing, and communicating information--it floats my proverbial boat.
A voracious reader since childhood, I always have at least one book on the go, sometimes two if I'm feeling particularly ambitious. (No e-readers here, thanks. I prefer good, old-fashioned paper books!) I even completed a Master's degree in English Literature, not only because I am a massive book nerd but because I am passionate about the written word.
From time-to-time I go through phases of attempting to improve my rudimentary grasp of the French language, mainly by practicing on unsuspecting French speakers when I travel to Montreal for work.
I graduated from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque with a bachelor's degree in Finance. But the writing work grew out of my tendency to create my own desk procedures. I worked as a financial analyst for several years and would have to perform certain tasks once a month as part of the business financial cycle. Having the desk procedures helped me to make sure I included all the required steps in the process.
After I had been working as a financial analyst for nearly 2 years, I had my first exposure to a technical writer on a project. She and I became friends and I learned more about what she did for a living. The work looked very familiar to the work I had been doing on my own - lots of explanatory text and step-by-step procedures.
About a year later, I was working for a company that was - how shall I say? - less than desirable. I took a calculated risk and left the company in order to preserve my health and sanity. I remembered the work I had seen from my technical writer friend and decided that I would try to get a job doing that kind of work. I had writing samples from my finance jobs, so I went for it. Turns out, the first documentation job I got was due to my Excel skills! But then they found out I was organized and could write well on top of that, and the rest is history.
I've been lucky enough to work with a whole bunch of great clients in three different countries and meet some amazing people over the years. Mixing it up keeps me interested and engaged, and hopefully learning new things on a daily basis. I absolutely love researching, organizing, and communicating information--it floats my proverbial boat.
A voracious reader since childhood, I always have at least one book on the go, sometimes two if I'm feeling particularly ambitious. (No e-readers here, thanks. I prefer good, old-fashioned paper books!) I even completed a Master's degree in English Literature, not only because I am a massive book nerd but because I am passionate about the written word.
From time-to-time I go through phases of attempting to improve my rudimentary grasp of the French language, mainly by practicing on unsuspecting French speakers when I travel to Montreal for work.
