#thewonderfulwordsmith

[thewonderfulwordsmith]

Knowing me, knowing you...aha!

Summer cinema can be a bit hit and miss, but with Norwich’s most superficial and socially incompetent DJ and all-round celebrity bursting onto our screens this month, we can be sure of at least one bona fide blockbuster for 2013. Knowing me, The Wonderful Wordsmith, knowing him, Alan Partridge, one thing can be certain: cinemas full of people sinking into their seats with embarrassment for the man who once referred to U2’s political protest Sunday Bloody Sunday as a ‘great song’, probably while dismantling a Corby trouser press.

So, why am I rattling on about this year’s outing of Steve Coogan’s famously narcissistic alter ego? Apart from being quite keen to see the film myself (don’t tell my husband), my own favourite Partridge-ism was once again brought to my attention by this rather comprehensive list of small but expressive interjections.

Aha! We get there in the end.

[mythreemonthgapyear]

The Wonderful Wordsmith is GO!

Nine weeks ago, with a suitcase containing a chipped mug, some random stationery items, and a load of ‘really useful’ notepads and folders, I left my office for the last time. Bye bye brand consultancy!

Nine weeks on the notepads and folders are still where I put them when I walked in the door, but a hell of a lot has changed as well.

I’ve got married, for a start. Which doesn’t just mean a change in status, but a change in name, passport, bank cards and the inevitable Facebook update (it’s not official until it’s on FB!)

And I’ve set up a business: The Wonderful Wordsmith.

Since the day, aged seven, I corrected my teacher’s spelling on the blackboard, I guess I was destined for a life in language. But it’s taken me a long while to get here. I’ve been a tax adviser, a conference producer, a marketer and brand consultant…but not one of these jobs has floated my proverbial boat.

It wasn’t until I joined the marketing team at Radio Times that it really hit me: people make a living out of words! I guess I should have realised, Susie Dent being a kind of idol and all, but it never occurred to me that I could do that too. 

The crazy thing is that I’d been doing it all along. Proofreading and copywriting are part and parcel of creative marketing, and I’d always thrown myself at these with more passion than most. 

‘You want that proposal checking? Sure!’

‘You need that website rewritten? Give me a couple of hours!’

I’d always lamented the fact that these were just parts of my job – I had to put up with the ‘other stuff’ in order to make them a part of my life.

I guess 32 isn’t too late for a moment of enlightenment, and I’ve had mine. I’m taking away the ‘other stuff’ and making this my focus. The Wonderful Wordsmith is in its early stages, but I have big plans. To start with I’m offering my proofreading and copywriting services to individuals and businesses that need help with their websites, documents, marketing material and anything else that requires a keen eye for grammar and spelling or a creative way with words. I’m also studying towards the Publishing Training Centre’s Proofreading by Distance Learning which, with additional experience, should equip me with the tools and skills to offer a more technical service to publishers and the like. 

I’m keen, I’m passionate about language and I work bloody hard, so bring it on.The Wonderful Wordsmith is GO!

Check out my website: thewonderfulwordsmith.com

  This post also appears on my blog: thewonderfulwordsmith.tumblr.com