Master Proofreader/Editor

I call myself a wordsmith because I believe the truth of Mark Twain’s adage: “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” I love words and have developed comprehensive writing skills composing essays, reviews, articles, short stories, poetry, plays and extended fiction.
For thirty-one years I taught high school English in the United States and in New Zealand where I now reside as a citizen. My strength as a teacher was my ability to help students hone their writing by encouraging them to recognise and build on their strengths and develop the areas in need of improvement. I accomplished this primarily by modeling my own writing. I am a writer first and a teacher second, always believing in the ancient method of teaching employed by master artists and composers–the student learns from the master’s engaged creative process. I am also a drama producer and some of the most successflul plays were those I penned as a playwright.

In addition to practical writing and fiction, I have been a poet since my teen years. Through my poetry I have developed insight into how words carry unique energy and a simple exchange of vocabulary can heighten the effect of an image or a phrase, changing the meaning and shifting the focus. For a more comprehensive look at my writing, visit my writer’s blog at https://npcopywriter.wordpress.com/ .


Qualifications:
*BA in literature and philosophy
*MA in Theology
*Colorado and New Zealand Secondary teaching certification
*Certification in Writing for Young Adults
*Published book: Sea Songs: Readers Theatre From the South Pacific (https://books.google.co.nz/books/about/Sea_Songs.html?id=nx2oDVhJMQEC&redir_esc=y&hl=en)
*Published stories: No Nails and Shadow People in the New Zealand literary magazine, Takahe (http://www.takahe.org.nz/?s=James+W+Barnes)
*Written and produced seven plays
*30 years secondary teaching English/Drama in the USA and New Zealand

Work Terms

I am completely open to working within your schedule. I am a full-time freelancer.