I have been in love with words -- their meanings, sounds, spellings, grammatical forms, provenance, usage, how they interact -- for as long as I can remember, which is as long as I've been reading. I started reading Dickens as a child and I think that's when I fell in love with language. A lifetime of reading and absorbing beautifully expressed, eloquent and sublimely perfect writing has led to my reading everything -- even the can of cleaner under the sink -- with a metaphorical (or actual) red pen in my hand. I care about language; I care that it be used with precision. Language used precisely can convey infinite meaning and nuance, and exert powerful influence. I love to write. I write fiction and non-fiction -- creative non-fiction is my natural forte, I think because it marries the satisfaction that facts and logic provide with my desire for creative expression. But I also enjoy the freedom of fiction, and the wondrous journey along which creation will so often lead me. There was no money in fiction for me, so I turned to the proud service of the Fourth Estate. Eight years of freelance and occasional on-staff journalism, however, led to the realization that, for me, writing for money destroyed the pleasure (and sometimes secret sanctuary) of creation and expression. What was never destroyed or diminished was the joy and satisfaction I derive from proofreading -- correcting errors -- and editing: from working with an author/writer to express his or her thoughts, ideas and expertise into clear, compelling writing. So I started my own copy editing, proofreading and coaching service, and now I write for pleasure and wield the red pen (gently, but firmly) for money. :-) (My coaching experience was bolstered by a year as Writing Coach for the Northeastern University (Boston) Journalism Department, a position I held while pursuing a master's degree in journalism there.) Now, in addition to running Janemac.net, I am co-editor of an independent press, Medusa's Muse.And I am, of course, always, obsessive about grammar, punctuation, syntax, spelling, accuracy, flow and style.