I took time off.
I needed time off.
I took time off from writing.
I took time off from editing.
I took time off from proofreading.
I needed that time off.
My brain needed a break.
My mind needed a sabbatical.
It’s time to get back to work, though.
I’m ready to edit.
I’m ready to write.
Bring me all the things.
I’m ready.
Be forewarned: this blog post is not (all) about writing and editing.
Listen, this thing is, to say the least, eye-opening. The virus, the quarantine, the blame-games, the politics – all of it has served as a major wake-up call.
As adults, we’ve all been under the weather at one time or another. I would venture to say we’ve all had the flu or some other crud that has knocked us off our feet for a few days. This, though, is whole new animal.
COVID-19 is kicking our behinds. When I say it’s kicking our behinds, I mean it’s kicking our behinds. Look at the map:
Take a look at the CDC website for the latest information on the spread of this deadly virus. People are dying. As of the writing, Italy has taken over China in the number of fatalities related to COVID-19.
People, we have a limited number of hours on this planet. Whether you’re living under self-quarantine or there is a mandatory quarantine in your case, use the time to reset, regroup, and to recoup.
Reset – I have a whole new respect for the self-employed, especially since I am one of them. I’m using this time to reset my own rules of operation to be more proactive in the event that assignments slow down like they have recently.
Regroup – I’ve decided to add a number of groups to the customers I service. I don’t proclaim to be the super nova of writers and editors, but I am good at what I do and I plan to expand my portfolio.
Recoup – I believe people should use this time to recoup from the rat race. Read a book, spend some much-needed time with the kids, walk the dog, sit by the water – do something that requires nothing more than your presence.
The law is the law. Whether one chooses to abide by it or not, the law is the law. As a law firm, you’re always striving to reach potential clients. You’re also on a mission to hold on the ones you have. People need you.
Whether your job is to defend individuals who have somehow ended up on the wrong side of the law or if it is your firm’s purpose to defend those who have been wronged, getting the word out about your services is mandatory.
I am a freelance writer and editor eager to create written copy work on a topic that I have extensive experience in and consider imperative to the lives of people.
As a common law civil Litigation Paralegal and Case Handler, I provided legal support in the following areas:
As a civil law Family Law Paralegal, I handled the following case types:
As an civil law Administrative Law Senior Paralegal, I handled the following case types:
Finally, I have nearly 10 years experience as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster and as a Sr. Personal Injury Claims Representative. I have in-depth knowledge of medical, insurance, and legal terms.
I create body copy for law firms and maintain strict adherence to non-disclosure guidelines. My work is tailored to your needs because no two firms are alike.
My educational credentials include a Master of Arts degree in English and Creative Writing, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, and an ABA-approved certificate in Paralegal Studies.
Let me put my skills, talents, education, and experience to work for you. Contact me so that, together, we can build your client base.
Here we are on the cusp of a brand new decade. To say I’m ready is the understatement of the day, week, month, year, and millennium. The past 10 years have been HARD.
I lost my mother in 2015. I’ve shared before that my mom did not have a formal education. She didn’t complete the 10th grade before she had to go to work building railroad ties. She was widowed and had given birth before she was 15.
Traditional school — classes, homework, field trips, etc. — was not a part of her “schooling”. Whatever she learned in this life came through hard knocks. She passed those valuable lessons on to us, her children, but she also made sure that we all received the “book” learning she never did. I have her to thank for my master’s degree. I have her to thank for my love of reading and writing. I have her to thank for my desire to make Scrivener Shine Edits a success.
In 2017, I lost my 41-year old nephew. I have written two very important pieces about his death. My purpose for writing them was two-fold: I need others to understand how grief and mourning can impact the bereaved, and I need people to know the difficulty of moving forward after the death of a loved one.
The first one can be found at http://coffeehousewriters.com/where-did-he-go/. It was published on January 1, 2018, shortly after he passed. I was so desperately lost.
The second one can be found at https://medium.com/@treaseshine/68-800-640-seconds-ago-a4c14dc28c5f. I wrote that one on December 18, 2019. I am still lost.
Read them. Feel them.
Finally, in 2018, I experienced the heartbreak of a lifetime. I refuse to give that thing any more opportunity to demolish my soul, so I won’t go into detail but know that out of the ashes come sometimes comes goodness. I’m good. I’m better for the deceit. I’m better for the manipulation. Another human being single-handedly killed my spirit, but I promise, I’m better for it.
Every day is new. Every day is a blessing. We get to start over. It just happens that we are at the beginning of a new decade. We have the opportunity to do big stuff. We can do that stuff on our own terms.
My goal is to work through 20 things in 2020 that will bring my soul joy. One of them is to grow Scrivener Shine Edits into the success I know its meant to be. My mission is to write for the benefit of others. My mission is to make sure other businesses are successful in their presentation. My mission is to help other businesses prosper.
See you guys on the other side.
It’s Monday, y’all! Throw that blanket back and work that business! Let’s get on it and have a productive week.
I’m ready to write, I’m ready to edit.
Contact me so I can help you with all your writing and editing needs.
I am an editor for the online publishing house, Coffee House Writers. I started there as a content writer in June 2017 and still create content for them occasionally. Shortly after I started writing for CHW, I was offered the opportunity to become an editor for the publisher. The offer was very unexpected and once I got off the call with the CEO of the company, I screamed and did the happy dance. My dreams were coming true.
Fast forward to this past Tuesday night when the familiar Gmail “ding” notified me of an email from the CEO of Coffee House Writers. When I tell you guys I did some big time screaming when I found out that I had been selected as Editor of the Month for October, believe that. It’s always a good thing when you’re recognized for your work. Being recognized for doing work that you love is something totally different.
I have always taken pride in my writing, but this piece about my nephew’s death on December 9, 2017, is extremely special to me. He left this world at the age of 41 as the result of heart attack, and losing him was the catapult I needed to form Scrivener Shine Edits. Following his example, I made the conscious decision to do what I love and to live my life to the fullest. My passion for writing and editing has become my full-time work. None of us have a minute to waste – start doing the things that bring you joy because your time is always shorter than you think.
I realize that writers and editors come a dime-a-dozen, but finding one whose passion is working the trade from the heart is not always easy. In my mind, the written word is your presentation to the world. You don’t always get the chance to shake hands with a potential client. You won’t always have the opportunity to verbally tell people what you do and how you can do it for them. What is written about your company is, in effect, that handshake. Showing off your business’s ability to meet the needs of potential clients is my business.
I am proud to offer SEO copywriter services, editing services (line editing and developmental editing), ghost writer services, proofreading services, and content writer services. Let’s get together and get your business in front the people who are looking for you. The virtual world is the playground on which you’ll find a plethora of new business. Let’s go!
Scrivener Shine Edits, L.L.C. 