I’m a freelance writer.

So today I'm starting my search for and accepting freelance writing work. It's been a long time coming, and I can't pretend that I'm not largely to blame for my waiting to start in earnest.

Negative self talk and imposter syndrome are real and very good at keeping some of us in "preparing to start" phases. Classes, books, seminars ... all efforts in endless supply to feed our fear-based need to be good enough to start when I, and honestly many of us, are more than good enough already. And where we aren't good enough we learn along the way. That's been the case for me. I'm a very good writer and I have the university education and output to prove it.

I’ve written since my middle school gifted us 14-year-old graduates with an appropriate coffee mug. Not because of it, but I guess I’m writing about it now…

This post may not be crafted using professional, LinkedIn vernacular. It may be more casual than the platform demands. And while professionalism in content is something I deliver well for clients, it's just not the voice I feel comfortable using personally.

I'm a casual, friendly, lighthearted, creative and explorative person who likes to be honest with people. I work hard and I work fast, but am not interested in burning the candle at both ends. I'm communicative and like to ask rather than assume. I'm most comfortable when I can collaborate with clients because I'm writing your words, not mine. I've written profiles and features for The Miami Herald, covered football player updates and analysis for RotoExperts and have worked in pop culture and video game development with What Pumpkin Studios/What Pumpkin Games for the last ten years. I like to deliver polished work and have that sell my service.

For a long time I've been a man with a foot in two worlds. Forever unsure of what I should be doing around my work with What Pumpkin. One foot in one world of established corporate work and steady paychecks. Another foot in another world of freelance and novel writing. But I know where my strengths are, and this is me stepping fully into the latter.

I don't intend to create my brand. I intend to let who I am be my brand. It'll make it easier for people who want to work with me to find me. I intend this post to be the first of many. Come along with me as I settle into a groove with all of you, and let me know if you need help with writing, copy editing or proofreading.