Have you ever started a blog? Just sat down and looked at a blank Word document in front of you and wondered what in the world you have to say that people care about?

Maybe some of you can relate to that feeling (which I am having very strongly right now!). It is incredibly intimidating for me to wrap my mind around the concept of blogging. Because here’s a confession: I don’t even like writing that much (picture the grimacing emoji here). But I want to try, because it’s important to me as an editor. My whole job depends on people writing, and I get better at my editing when I read and write myself. 

So here goes nothing!

I figured to start off, I’d talk about something I know a lot about: me!

Without giving you my entire life’s history, here are five things to know about me:

1. I have a wonderful husband, Zach. We met while serving religious missions for our church. We have been married since May 2018 and have loved every minute of it! He supports me and encourages me everyday to do what I love. He really likes to watch baseball, and while he’s doing that, I like to take naps next to him on the couch.
2. I have always been bookish. The Harry Potter series and the Chronicles of Narnia have long topped my list, along with Lord of the Flies, The Help, and my childhood favorite: Winnie-the-Pooh. My younger brother makes fun of me because I used to have (and even met a few times) a goal to read 100 books each year, but I thought that was the epitome of enjoying myself. What I love about reading is I get to experience the stories that others felt so strongly about that they needed to share. It’s an expanding experience.
3. I love Chip and Joanna Gaines. Seriously, if you haven’t watched Fixer Upper, go binge watch it on Hulu. Zach and I took a trip out to Waco, Texas, to visit the Silos that they renovated, and drove around to see all the houses they’ve fixed up, and it (along with shopping for gorgeous home décor) was magical. One of my favorite things that has happened in the last few years is that Chip and Jo have a line of products at Target, so now accessing all things Magnolia is easier than ever!
4. Editing is my passion! I began studying English in college (which I obviously love), and then added on an editing minor. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I think it’s awesome to know all the grammar and style rules so that I can help writers create their best work. It’s so fulfilling to me to problem-solve the perfect sentence or fill a plot hole. Honestly, there’s not much better in the world than that. Editing makes me feel like I’ve found my calling in life. I’m not perfect at it, but I learn and grow from every experience.
5. If I had to live off of one food for the rest of my life, that food would be popcorn. Any type of buttered popcorn, with the occasional kettle corn from the fair or the zoo. I don’t have to live off of popcorn, but I pretty much do all ready. How can I not, when I live six minutes from a movie theater and have a huge bucket that I can refill for three dollars? I know, it’s a recipe for weight gain and high cholesterol from all the butter, but I think it’s worth it.

So that’s me! From here on out, my blog posts will be about some other things I know a lot about: editing, writing, and probably Harry Potter. My wish for this blog is that it will be a resource for editors and writers alike. I hope it inspires learning, good work, and creativity. To me, it sounds like a lot for a blog to accomplish, but I want to make it work, for me and for you.

So please, leave comments, feedback, and suggestions for other posts. I’m really excited to undertake this project! I know along the way there will be questions, uncertainty, and, yes, even grammatical errors (so embarrassing, but it happens to the best of us!), but I look forward to the learning curve.

Till next time!