March

It's been a whirlwind first part of the year, hasn't it?  I need not discuss the state of our nation or the world here, but I assume you understand what I mean.  As for my Etsy shop, I've been receiving an increase in writing service inquiries.  This has been a blessing because, as you know, I'm an academically trained writer with an MA degree.  However, one thing that clients frequently ask for is editing done within 24 hours.  I unfortunately can't meet this requirement right now.  Firstly, writing and editing is a process that takes intense concentration and time to complete.  For me, at least.  I look over a piece many times before I am happy with the edits I've made.  Secondly, I contact the client with my questions on the piece, and don't start editing until I hear back from them - these questions can include tone, content, word choice, a need for more detail(s), etc.  And lastly, I have a busy home life that includes a very mobile toddler whose love for conversation and books takes precedent over all else in the moment.  I edit in the in-between moments, in the wee morning and twilight hours, during nap time.  And the wait is entirely worth it.

Visit my main website here.

June

via Instagram

It's been three weeks since my last blog post.  Goodness.  In baby time, that's a lot of developmental growth.  However, in mama time, three weeks has slipped through my fingers; I've forgotten how crazy life has been lately with a teething almost-there crawler.  (I am amazed at how mamas of more than one baby manage work and family life, especially those who work from home.)  

As for my Etsy shop I am still shipping orders as time permits, usually twice a week.  Lately, my writing services have been inquired about the most, which has been a wonderful surprise.  I've also noticed that there's been a clustering, an ebb and flow if you will, of specific shop item inquiries - that only my jewelry work is asked about one week and only my writing services the next.  It's as if we're all connected somehow in this amazing vast universe.  And I love that.  I like to think that positivity perseveres over the negativity in our society, our world.  That goodness and kindness are more commonplace than we know.  It's my hope to pass this on to my daughter who is becoming more and more observant as the days go by.  More importantly, it is my steadfast hope to be the best mother I can be.  Mamas out there, I feel you.

* * *

In jewelry news, I hope to unveil new jewelry designs this autumn!

EC | TIW Writing Services Question

Hi everyone, I've received a few inquiries this week about my quality writing services, specifically how I communicate with clients.  For my writing services, I contact clients only via Etsy convos.  That way, all the information is right in front of me--in case I need to refer back to particular details.  I do NOT conduct phone interviews, Skype, or converse with clients through regular emails (and do not make exceptions).  This unique organizational process is reflected in the final result: the clarity, tone, and quality content of my writing.

However, I understand that the written word may not be a client's preferred mode of communication.  But the client's own writing is important to my process as a writer, as it gives me an idea of what the client is looking for.  I then ask questions to add detail and hone into core content.

My writing services are detail-driven and a labor of love; I do not try to make a quick buck off my writing.  Additionally, I have the credentials to prove the depth, skill, and nuanced quality of my work.  Integrity matters deeply to me, as does each inquiry.  Thanks for your understanding.

* * *

Read more about my writing services here and here.

Visit my main site here:
www.theintrovertedwriter.com

Wedding Writing Services and Gratitude

Hope you had a lovely Easter weekend (two days late, I know).  I recently sold this Love Story writing service to a sweet client.  With wedding season nearly in full swing, I wanted to let you know a little more about my writing services and skills as a writer.  A writer with a Master's degree, my content writing services differ from others in that my work is highly detail oriented, quality driven, and reflects the versatility of my academic training.  I never use hype or gimmicks, nor do I plagiarize.  Specifically, the client sends me the information to put together into a cohesive work; editing is a collaborative process between the client and the writer (me).  I then send each writing service client a custom questionnaire based on the information sent to me.  Through various drafts, I weave together the updated information for clarity, flow, tone, etc., until the work is complete.  Pricing reflects this.

Love Story Writing Service

                                          

Writing is a long, arduous process--and frankly, it's an underrated craft, too.  To write clearly is hard.  To write clearly is a challenge because the written word differs greatly from the spoken word, which differs greatly from formal speech.  Writing then, if done well, is an inimitable act.  I am grateful to my clients for choosing my writing services.

Find my writing services here.  

Read my writer's FAQs on my main site.

A Burning Question

This might not be a burning question, but it's one that I've received lately about my writing services.  The question is: "Can you write blog entry content for me?"  I answer yes, but that I would need a rough draft, or at least an outline, of the content for direction.  (Static is then heard on the other end...)  The line of inquiry proceeds: "I need you to come up with the content.  I don't have time to write it."  My next email explains that I don't write content without an outline or rough draft because there's many ways in which the content could be written--and that my listing description clearly explains the type of writing I do, and why.

After that, I don't hear back from the potential client...

The thing is, I am a writer with an MA degree, but what I write is based solely on the information the client provides.  I do not pull ideas out of thin air, although I do add to ideas--nor do I allow them to materialize in front of me without the client's input: there are just so many directions in which the content can go.  Tone, for instance.  Upbeat and conversational, or professional and polished?  Word choice is another direction, as is content, organization, sentence structure, voice, etc.  Voice is especially important because it tells the reader who the writer is.  If there is a discrepancy between any of these elements in a written work, the reader will know.  Many times, we don't give the reader enough credit for noticing.  My academic training, as tough as it was for me, undoubtedly contributed to my detail-oriented writing style.  Academics taught me how to look critically at the writing process from all perspectives: brainstorming, organization, word choice, structure, clarity, and length.  Taught me that each word holds a different weight in a sentence.  That each statement matters.

Inadvertently, the high-brow culture of academics taught me something interesting: humility.  After six drafts of one chapter, you learn firsthand how to be humble and deft.  You learn new ways of writing and seeing the world, and you learn how to edit and write with relevance and a critical eye.  This is why I provide quality content writing services through my main site, theintrovertedwriter.com, in addition to my Etsy shop.  The writer, the written word, the content--it all matters.

Read my writer's FAQs: theintrovertedwriter.com/faqs.html

The Story Behind EC | TIW

If you're a long-time reader of this blog, or even a new follower, it's likely you've picked up on the fact that I am a private person, meaning that a public persona is not something that I strive to maintain.  To build a readership or cultivate a "brand" is not my goal (although my Instagram and Pinterest accounts sort of serve that purpose).  Instead, I've written here about subjects that matter to me, whether or not they coalesce with current social trends.  Specifically, I am more interested in the development, inspiration, and growth of ideas over time, the careful crafting of an ideological spark rather than the instant gratification of a broadly defined idea.  To me, the grist of ideas is not bound by trend, although it is certainly influenced by this societal undertow.

The story behind EC | TIW is simple, resulting from the spark of an unbounded idea.  This blog started shortly after I opened my shop back in 2010; the maintenance of shop and blog occurred simultaneously as I juggled the difficult task of, and learned how to, market my items while staying true to my goal of professionalism, non-pushy promotion, and yes, privacy.  This public-private split is something I still grapple with.

In 2013, I added the "TIW" acronym to my shop name and started my main site, but only after obtaining a hard-earned Master's degree.  My thesis, a literary, theoretically driven five-chapter work, took over three years to write--revision after revision, reworked chapter after chapter.  I've likened this academic process to "pulling teeth," which I've documented in this blog.  Although a difficult process, the experience gave me the tools to draft a quality written work; added palpable substance to the existing writer in me.  Humbled me when I felt I had exhausted all possibilities.

* * *

My writing explores the depth right below the surface, the purposeful meaning behind a subject, without resorting to overly romanticized language or cliches (unless the client prefers this).  Let's face it: anyone can write using flowery language, but it takes a hard-scrabble writer to introduce, build on, and deliver a clearly organized idea while being mindful of the entire work's aim.

The deeper current behind "TIW": Over the past few years, I became increasingly concerned over the proliferation of online writing, since this writing tends to lack quality and a clear voice (amid spelling, punctuation, and grammatical blunders).  I know that I am not alone in this observation.  So you can imagine how seeing punctuation and spelling errors, gaps in logic and organization, and other English-language mistakes online, and in print, endlessly frustrate me.  If we can speak correct English, then we can certainly take the time to write it--or at least have a writer/editor help out in this regard.  With my writing and editing services, I will work on your writing from the bottom up--depending on your goals--to edit, clarify, and polish your words without hype, gimmicks, and cliches.

It is important to state that not all writers are equal in terms of the quality of their craft.  This quality-versus-quantity divide is most observable in pricing and marketing strategy.  For my writing services, I strongly abide by quality rather than by quantity, which is reflected in my pricing.  For instance, I recently edited a 1.5-page single-spaced eulogy that took me four hours to complete, which included fine tuning the cadences of speech to give the words a poetic, memorial-worthy feel.  This type of editing is not cheap, but the heirloom-quality writing will last a lifetime.  When a writer/editor emphasizes value and precision in their work, the physical acts of editing and writing are not as easy or simple as they seem: the process is much like pulling teeth.  By hand and without anesthesia.  However, in my experience, one never arrives at the finish line without first overcoming struggle.  This journey may take days or weeks to complete, but is worth it--good solid writing in itself is worth it.

* * *

In the role of writer/editor, I add readability and value to your writing by polishing, tightening up, and organizing your words with quality tools gained from experience.  I will delete sentences, rearrange them, and clarify their intended meaning to the best of my ability while working within your price range.  With purpose and the utmost care, I simply (via an all-but-simple process) edit and write.  This is my ongoing journey into the public realm--and I do not take it lightly.

I have previously written about the writing process here and here.

Writing Services: Wedding Speech Example

I recently received an inquiry for a sample wedding speech.  Below is an excerpt from a generic wedding speech that I wrote myself.  My EmeraldCut|The Introverted Writer wedding speech listing, found here, will build upon your own writing style and content, so the final product will be entirely unique and handwritten just for you.  

Here is the excerpt:

For more writing services and excerpts, visit my main website:
www.theintrovertedwriter.com

NEW Custom Business Bios

Some great news!  After numerous requests, I have now expanded my writing services to include the writing of custom business bios or company bios (whichever you prefer to call them) for non-Etsy as well as Etsy sellers alike.  In addition to the numerous inquiries I've had about this type of writing, the other reason why I've chosen to delve into this writing realm is this: I've come across far too many websites for both online shops, as well as brick and mortars, whose biographies and descriptions could have, in my opinion, been written with so much more personality and polished descriptiveness.  This observation frustrates me to wits end because I know that these businesses have such a great product to offer.

Don't get me wrong, as I do understand that writing is hard work!  It really is, but I love it.  (If you're new here to my blog, my background is in academic writing, but I've been writing well before that, since childhood.  I received my Master's degree--with an emphasis on 20th-century ethnic American literature--last year after being a part of the graduate program for six years where I honed my craft, so I am well-versed in many writing styles.  Read more about my qualifications here.)  Professionalism, adherence to grammar and punctuation rules, and attention to detail and the subtleties conveyed in the written word are of paramount importance to me as a writer.  So allow me the honor to help you write a business/company bio that accurately reflects your product line, unique voice, and company values, while also actively engaging with the perusers of your website.

In addition to business/company bio writing, I now also offer a product description writing service, including menu item descriptions for restaurants and item descriptions for shops.  These exciting changes to my writing services are more inclusive of all businesses that advertise and/or sell online regardless of site affiliation.

Feel free to peruse my blog and Etsy shop for examples of my writing style.

If you would like to work with me to draft a custom business bio or product description--or if you would like to have your existing writing edited--please contact me here.

New Stamped Work

I hope this blog entry finds you well.  Lately, I've been pretty busy with wedding and writing ideas (you'll see what I mean when you read on!), of which I am excited to share with you.  Here are some new favorites of mine that I dreamt up this past month, and many prototypes later, have now listed for sale:

Tell your wedding guests about your upcoming nuptials
in bookish style with these one-of-a-kind handmade bookmarks;
stamped letter-by-letter and created from vintage book pages by me,
these Save the Date Bookmarks will surely catch their eye
(and not to mention, make cool page holders)!

For the writers, a contemplative reminder to write more...and often.  
Writing takes practice, so don't give up--especially if giving up
seems like the most feasible option.
You've got something interesting to say, so write on it.
Ornament available here.

Also new to the EmeraldCut shop are custom stamped bridal seed packets

that incorporate vintage dictionary pages 

with your choice of a short four-word-max phrase-- 

and non-GMO seeds from the list below (subject to availability): 

- California Poppy (orange or red)

- Cosmos

- Petite Marigold

- Nasturtium

- Sunflower

- Sweet Pea

- Zinnia

Yes, I know the following is not new stamped work, but with wedding season right around the corner, I thought I'd include this listing, too.  Father of the Bride, Maid of Honor, Best Man...the monumental task of writing that wedding speech is not going away (especially with the wedding date coming up soon)--so allow me to help relieve the stress by writing a custom speech for you with your input!  Even if we have to start from scratch, or go through endless scribbled notes and/or ideas, I will work with you until you have a final product--your wedding speech--that contains not only the congratulatory message you'd like to convey, but also eloquently brings forth your unique tone and wit.  In other words, a speech that you are proud to give.

Custom Wedding or Engagement Speech Writing Service

Lots more fun ideas coming this Spring...check back here soon for sneak peeks!  

Or stop on by the shop to see what's new.

P.S. Free US shipping on orders over $15 is going on strong--enter FREESHIPPING at checkout!