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Red Rock Writing and me

I write for businesses so you don’t have to. Whether that’s websites, funding applications, blogs, case studies, reports or tenders – if you need it written, I can probably help. Don’t know what you need to get the results you want? That's where project managing comes in. I can help you work out that out, and then plan it with you and provide you an ongoing writing service to support your business needs. I offer writing services on a project basis as well as longer strategic solutions, including fractional copywriting. How fast will I do it? Every project is different but if you know your scope, tone, length and keyword/s, you can expect a turn-around of 3 - 5 working days. I can take on rush work, subject to a fee and availability. Need some guidance on what will make your idea shine? I can also work with you to tease out your business needs; it will take a little longer, but it will be worth it! Want to see my business?   Head to Red Rock Writing where I work with SMEs who need ...

In MX today - Jingle Hell

Despite the tinsel and sparkly lights and fat bearded men in bright red suits, I find Christmas a sneaky season. One again, December has rolled round and I haven’t even bought my Mum a pressie yet. Every year, all the magazines advise shopping early and taking advantage of the January sales. I read them, think “what a good idea, I’ll do that” and then forget. So, instead of basking smugly with a glass of wine, I’m gearing up to battle maddened parents and frazzled assistants who have been tasked with finding an intimate present for their bosses partner - or partners. But you start optimistic and energized - ready to shop and roll, baby. You start thinking big. Wouldn’t it be great if you got everything in one shop? You’d be finished! The Queen of Christmas shopping. Then you can ditch the bags and the mad shoppers and go straight to the pub! This all seems like a really good idea, but leads to situations like you trying to persuade yourself that your sister would like a socket wrench, ...

Fail to Kale

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I am the youngest child in my family. By the time I was old enough to cook my Mum was past the “let us bake together, angel children, never mind the mess” stage and into “get out, get out, are you trying to get burnt”. So I haven't really been taught to cook food basics. This can be an issue when I am faced with standard foods that I don’t care about enough to learn how to cook. I do a mean butter chicken, for example, because butter chicken is delicious but fail every time at making vegetable soup because, ugh, vegetable soup tastes like used socks. These days I have family of my own to feed - four people and a dog! - so obviously there's only one solution; exploring the wonderful worlds of malnutrition and massive credit card debt simultaneously by ordering takeaway all the time! Hah, but seriously no (as my partner says to me ALL THE DAMN TIME). Most nights I try to put together a home-cooked meal to give the impression that we are a functional family unit and not a near-r...

Published in Voyeur, the Virgin Blue inflight magazine.

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Very happy with this piece. Not only was it a great trip but the magazine worked with me on how to lay out the content and I think it looks amazing.

Bring on the Sunshine - Sunshine Coast business destinations, for Executive PA Magazine Feb 2011

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Here is a prime example of being careful what you cover when you can't travel. Writing this was an exercise in torture - all those descriptions of stunning beaches, tropical balmy days and great food. I'm well overdue for another holiday there! It’s known for the 300 days of sun it gets each year, with over 30 high-quality venues and endless exceptional activities, it’s as a business event destination that the Sunshine Coast really shines. (This is a clipping only, for more please contact me.)

Have a howl this Halloween (and not a COVID scare) - event planning for a COVID Halloween

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This piece was picked up by the Echo Live , my event manager's guide to organizing a spooky but safe Halloween. I'm pleased to report this was a huge success at my home with my own little monsters too! 

We tried to teach. We got homeschooled.

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I shared my tale of homeschooling woe - reproduced below - with the Irish Examiner  and on Medium .  School’s finally out for summer so let’s review what our family have learned over the last four torturous millennia, I mean months, of homeschooling.  Many facts were learned. Not by my kids, of course. They’re off the garden somewhere eating mud or setting fires or something. They learned nothing but Mum and Dad’s favorite spots to hide the TV remote, the fancy biscuits, and occasionally ourselves. But the grown-ups feel a great deal more educated. When the primary schools and daycares here in Ireland announced they were closing but would be sending out work each day, we stayed hopeful. After all, many people around choose to homeschool their kids. How bad can it be? It’s bad. It’s terrible and we’re terrible at it. Do you know the cunning required to make a 6-year-old willingly open a workbook? The tenacity needed to get them to sit down and finish a page of writing? The...