Suzanne Griscom
That Wordsmith, Editing, Writing & Coaching Services

Suzanne@ThatWordsmith.com

Websites:

• http://www.ThatWordsmith.com

Connect with me on:

• MSN: Wisewillow

A wordsmith asks the right questions to get to the heart of what you really want to say and pinpoints both your purpose and your audience.

Think of me as both the village blacksmith and silversmith, but for language; I take your precious ideas and concepts and craft them into a form that is beautiful, useful, and valuable. Words can be tools or embellishment. I can give you both.

Every sentence has a purpose, and purpose drives communication. I get a "high" from crafting the perfect sentence, the perfect paragragh, the perfect message that says exactly what you want to say to your audience.

I make sure you don't waffle, don't get side-tracked or off-target. I help you say it and say it right, and most importantly, say exactly what you want your audience to understand.

My work includes web content, non-fiction books, short stories, novels, screenplays, marketing material, internal business documents, technical papers, municipal code, PhD and Master's papers, travel articles, investment articles, memoirs, and anything else that you need crafted into readable, purposeful text.

I am a true Jack of All Content. My versatility and experience enable me to see you and your ideas from outside the box and from inside the business.

I have worked with both new and experienced writers to help them find their voice and tailor their writing to best target their audiences.

Alongside completing your writing and editing work, I am also available to work as your writing coach, helping you become a stronger and more confident writer. Several clients have told me that working with me was a transformative experience, with lasting, positive effects. Everybody is a writer; some just don't know it yet.

I have been editing and coaching writing since 1990, and have worked with writers from age 5 to 76 (but who's counting?). I enjoy coaching and working with people who don't like writing, struggle with writing, want to write better, or who want someone else to do the writing for them.

As to training, I have a Bachelor's in English, a Master's in Teaching, and Editing Certification from the CUNY Graduate Center.

Want to learn how social media can help your business? Interested in Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and all the other sites buzzing around the internet? I can help you choose the sites that will best suit your needs and your time.

Don't get sucked into the maelstrom of competitive linking. Do what's best for your business. Here's how: Talk to me. I'll set you up on a social media site and with an action plan that you can stick with and evolve when you are ready.

I help you say what you mean and mean what you say.

Savvy business people often put off writing for many reasons, the most common being, "I don't have time," and "I'm not a good writer." You don't have to be! I can help you turn your spoken words into polished prose. Tell me your story: how your business started, testimonial anecdotes, supporting statistics, or your shopping list of what you want to accomplish, and I will give you a well-written document that delivers your message, with your voice and your style.

I will write your bio for your website, brochure, or company portfolio, so you don't have to even think about it. Give me the facts and it's done. No bragging required. I'll do it for you.

I specialize in story and purpose development, continuity, voice, style, and flow, and of course, grammar and syntax.

I'm always looking for clients who recognize the power of the written word and the value of quality editing and writing services.

Have a book you'd like to finish, or start?

Have a project that you're avoiding because of the writing involved?

Want to update, renew, refresh, or otherwise shake up your company's presentation of its services and products? On the web or in print, I can help you bring current language and style to your work.

Seattle University, Master's in Teaching, 1998 - 1999

City University of New York Graduate Center, Certificate, Editing & Proofreading, 1990

American University, Journalism Semester Program, 1988

Skidmore College, Bachelor of Arts, English, 1985 - 1989

Currently on my docket are three books, two marketing clients, an article and a coaching client.

For the last year and a half, I worked with fellow biznik Val Thomas-Matson of Look, Listen & Learn, as their Writer and Editor of Everything but the Script. I edited and approved all collateral material involved in the creation and funding of a commercial-free, children's television program. This included writing and copy-editing all text on the website, editing the business plan, newsletters, fundraising and marketing materials, and whatever else that needed to be lucid and on-target.

My non-fiction editorial work ranges from editing a 350-page, comprehensive horticultural manuscript, with a focus on readability and continuity; a 95-page multilingual resource guide, with a focus on formatting, readability, and consistency; and the municipal codes of over 1,000 US cities, focusing on style and accuracy.

I have edited investment articles for publication in a financial magazine and online financial website, and travel articles featured in Appalachia journal.

My non-fiction focus is on purpose, flow, and reader comprehension.

My fiction editing experience dates back to 1990. I have edited short stories and novels by various independent writers, including a 500+-page novelization of a studio-optioned screenplay, a science fiction novel, some YA fantasy stories, and have several books in the editing process now.

My fiction editorial focus is on continuity, flow, sense, and syntax.

My Writing Coaching experience began in 2003. I work with clients, using their current projects, to improve their writing skills, gain a greater understanding of the writing process, as well as how to work with our language to write for a target audience.

My writing can be found on my blog, Welcome to My Head, at w ww.wisewillow.blogspot.com and on various websites, most recently on the VillageWit.com.