In high school, my English teacher told me I had something called “a lot of voice” in my writing. At the time, I didn’t know why that was noteworthy. But, as I’ve read countless writing over the years, and even complimented the same thing in my own students, I understand how cool it is when you can hear people’s voice, grasp something of their soul, in their writing.

We’re living through times where that pulse is now more threatened than ever. But! Honestly, it’s always been threatened. If not by AI, then by social norms that might tell you you’re too weird for saying something, or pedagogical style that might enforce adherence to grammar conventions over all else. In my past editing and teaching work, I’ve always encouraged risk taking, personal style, and spunkiness. Years ago, I wrote my own college essay about what I learned from my grandmother, after being repeatedly told the refrain “now, folks, don’t write an essay about your grandmother.” I wanted to pull it off, rebel I was.

Over the years, friends, family, and acquaintances have asked me for help with application essays, creative work, and other important writing tasks. For over a decade, I've deeply enjoyed helping people with writing, and have come to realize it's a true passion of mine.

I worked as a writing teacher for summer camps while I was in college, and later spent two wonderful years teaching middle school English at Belmont Day in the Boston area and, back in my Kentucky hometown, at my alma mater, Sayre School.

Soon enough, I found myself not only helping students but also supporting the work of organizations and creative projects I believed in. I've conducted interviews, written articles, and collaborated on all kinds of writing that helps people and organizations tell their stories. All of these experiences, along with many kind people who have been nudging me to do so (thank you!), have led me to create my own writing and editing practice.