Writing

Efficient writers draw on their "toolboxes" to get work done. Tools can include everything from classic reference materials — William Zinsser's "On Writing Well," for example — to a set of questions to answer before beginning — What am I trying to say? How should I talk to my audience? — to the latest design and editing apps.

Storytelling is a crucial part of the toolbox. By figuring out what stories to tell, I can help you take dry facts to a human level. With content marketing, I can help you connect your cause or business with stories that support your goals while creating something worth your target audience’s time.

What I do

I craft the copy you need so you can reach the people you want to reach.

Digital news and features
Content marketing
Blog posts
Newsletters
Website copy

What I've done

My portfolio of writing samples is here.

TheAmericanGenius.com

As a staff writer, I cover real estate, tech, business and more. See what I’m writing about on business and tech and real estate and marketing on my author pages.

Here’s a sampling of stories:

Feature stories

CNN.com/Travel

Road tripping through West Texas is full of unusual surprises

Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine

Making Waves: Competing in Cedar Hill's open-water contest is no lazy lap at the pool
Review: The Field to Table Cookbook: Gardening, Foraging, Fishing, and Hunting.

Blogging

Austin Insider blog:

3 Austin bands you need to know (and will love!)

”Seduced by Sound: Austin” blog:

Top 5 Austin Clubs that Musicians Love
4 Musicians and Bands Who Shaped the Sound of Austin
Five Ways to Make It in Music (and Still Be Happy)

Chula League’s Big Artist Little Artist blog:

For Big Artist Michael Sieben, Art is Something to Share

Web copy

CLAWstin (The Collective of Lady Arm Wrestlers of Austin)

Headlines

These are sample headlines I wrote while on the copy desk at the Austin American-Statesman:

Investors flock to Schlotzsky’s stock
— Profits, good press boost shares of deli franchiser with tongue-twister name

Puerto Rican Barbie comes
Complete with cultural baggage

‘Men only’ beer joint has
New feminine mystique

Cloned cows
Got milk — but
Do we want it?

Nameless ‘90s remain
(your name here) decade

Other

I've also written video PSAs, press releases, a successful million-dollar grant, brochure copy promoting a nonprofit and a school, academic papers, event calendar listings, reviews and more.

Every writer's toolbox should have a story.