Tag Archives: Writing

Portfolio Showcase: Kristen Byers

Our latest Portfolio Showcase comes from designer and writer Kristen Byers. For a closer look, click on the screenshots to visit the respective area of her portfolio at kristenbyers.net.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I work at the Monterey Institute of International Studies as the New Media Development Specialist. I mostly work with the Institute’s web and social media presences, but I get to design print documents from time to time. I also pick up the occasional freelance project, and my portfolio definitely comes in handy for that.

How long have you had an online portfolio?
I’ve had a formal online portfolio since the spring of 2006, so for about 4 years now. You can still view the first iteration of my portfolio online. My portfolio has evolved quite a bit since then as I discovered that a content management system would make it way easier for me to add and feature new portfolio pieces. I’ve been using WordPress for my portfolio since 2008.

What was your design process?
I always start by choosing a color palette and then a typeface for my name. For some reason I see these as small, achievable goals that help me get the design ideas to start flowing. Then I seek out a WordPress theme that meets my basic needs (in terms of general layout, number of columns, built-in contact form, etc.). Determining my WordPress theme needs is probably the hardest part. Once I find a WordPress template that I can use as a starting point, I tweak the heck out of it to make it my own.

Do you have any advice for other designers about creating online portfolios?
Remember that your digital portfolio is an ongoing process — it’s never really “done”. I have found that the best time to work on my portfolio (and resume, for that matter) is when I’m not actively seeking employment. That way the pressure is off and I feel much more relaxed about my design and content decisions. I highly recommend soliciting feedback from friends and coworkers during this time.

Also, don’t forget to create a favicon for your portfolio. It’s a great finishing touch (and often a fun challenge to try to represent yourself in 16×16 pixels!).

The act of writing

One of my National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) friends asked me recently if I’ve kept up my near-daily writing frenzy, and I was sad to have to say that I haven’t. The act of writing is something I struggle with, as I can always find things to do other then make the clackity noise. But summer is finally here, which for many means a chance to work on personal writing projects. For me, it means a season devoted to making writing a habit. No matter what your motivation, there are going to be obstacles.

Obstacle #1: Writer, meet block.

Whether you’re writing a script or a novel, short stories or blog posts, getting started is often the most difficult part. There have been many times where I’ve sat down to write only to find myself staring at a handful of words on the screen an hour later.

I asked my writer friends what they do to overcome writer’s block, and many recommended prompts. Words, situations, pictures, maps—there are a variety of writing prompts that can help spark inspiration. I’ve found them most helpful when I want to write just to write.

Many writers recommend that you stop writing while you still have words left in you so it’s easier to start again. There are many “rules” for writing. Follow them, break them, make your own—it’s up to you.

Obstacle #2: I don’t have time, but hold on while I tweet that.

Having an idea of what to write doesn’t matter unless you make time to write. To help, I’m going to take a cue from Dawn Armfield:

I live on Google. Ok, not the planet Google, but the great spacious cloud of Google. I use many of the tools extensively, for nearly everything. [...] So how could I make them work for me in the same way that 750words works for others? I created a calendar event that emails me every morning, alerting to me to my time to write for 10 minutes (I picked 10 minutes to get me started — and I typically write about 500 words in that 10 minutes). I also use Docs to write in, so I can write from anywhere.

I think it’s brilliant when someone can take the tools they’re already using and use them in a new way. With all that connectivity, you really can write anywhere. But then there’s always…

Obstacle #3: No one will know if I don’t write.

To stay on track and keep writing, find someone who will hold you accountable. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a fellow writer, be vocal about your intention to write and count on your network to support you. Use whatever works best for you.

During NaNoWriMo, I discovered that I benefited a lot from meeting with other writers. Ask around to see if your area has a writing group or workshop, or start your own. Not only will it hold you to your writing commitment, but it’ll give you a chance to get feedback on your work.

If you’re on Twitter, you can use the hashtag #amwriting to tweet your progress and connect with other writers. The practice was started by Johanna Harness to “bring writers together to talk about their writing thoughts—as they write.” It’s great for both accountability and inspiration.

Obstacle #4: Distractions, distractions, dis…wait, I was writing?

Sometimes writing comes down to avoiding distractions. Ice cream, beaches, and sunshine certainly don’t make it easy to sit at a computer for any length of time (though you can always go old school with a notebook and pen while sitting outside). If you’re like me and aren’t lucky enough to have an iPad for a writing coach, these online tools may help you focus.

Ommwriter (Mac only)

CreaWriter (Windows only)

DarkCopy

What tools and methods have worked for you? What are your writing habits?

In the Workplace with Luke Capizzo

Name: Luke Capizzo
Title: Communications Specialist
Website: twitter.com/capizzol, www.mcul.org
Location: Lansing, MI

Tell us about your educational/professional background.
I graduated from Michigan State University in ’07 with a dual B.A. in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy (PTCD, that’s one) and Professional Writing (PW). I really enjoyed studying the leading writers in Western political thought, but I’m employed because of the writing skills, design processes, and use of the serial comma that I learned in Professional Writing. I spent a year at a small PR firm (with varying degrees of success) before taking my current job.

Tell us about your current job.
I’m a communications specialist with the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL), the state trade association for credit unions. I’m in a department of four people that takes care of media relations, publications, multimedia, web writing (and a little bit of design), social media outreach, and member communications. I handle about half of the media relations load including writing press releases and op-eds, contacting reporters and pitching stories, and general strategizing for media outreach. We get to dabble in the political advocacy side of media communications as well, which I enjoy tremendously.

I also write for four different MCUL publications and am the editor/designer for one of them. We oversee the website content, so I get to do regular updates to the public affairs pages and work with other departments to improve the information architecture, usability, and writing in their areas as well. Our department does video work, generally for web use, so I get to write, shoot, and edit the occasional short video. My boss (the director of public affairs) is a former TV news guy, so I’ve learned a lot about basic video production from working with him. I also tweet occasionally on the company account. Continue reading →

In the Workplace with Amy Nalette

Name: Amy Nalette
Title: Associate Acquisitions Editor
Website: www.pubint.com
Location: Chicago, IL

Tell us about your educational/professional background.
I double majored at MSU in Spanish and Professional Writing. I plan to pursue a master’s degree next – hopefully soon!

Tell us about your current job.
Publication’s International, Ltd. (PIL) is a privately owned Children’s Book Publishing company in the suburbs of Illinois. We create two different types of Children’s books: Electronic books (with all sorts of buttons that play sound effects, music, voices, etc.) and Quiet books (your typical storybooks without any sound component). We create books that feature licensed characters.

So for example, we work with Disney to create books featuring the Disney Princesses, Cars, Finding Nemo, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, etc. (the list goes on and on). Additionally, we work with Sesame Street, Nickelodeon, HIT Entertainment (Thomas the Tank Engine), Marvel, Dreamworks, and more.

My title is Associate Acquisitions Editor, but being an acquisitions editor at PIL is quite different than a typical publishing company. We do not accept outside manuscript submissions from anyone, because we create everything ourselves in-house. We have teams of editors, art directors, production editors, sound designers, animators, etc. that are assigned to each project. Every acquisitions editor in my department is assigned a different licensor that she works with daily. I am the acquisitions editor for Disney! Well, actually, since Disney is our biggest account, we had to split it in half. So I am responsible for all of Disney Quiet Books and another girl is in charge of Disney Electronic Books.

Continue reading →

Lessig on The Colbert Report

In case you missed it, Lawrence Lessig was recently featured on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report.

The Colbert ReportMon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Lawrence Lessig

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O’Reilly Interview

Lessig is a professor at Stanford Law School, and has spent most of his career focusing on the law and technology as it relates to copyright. He is also the author of Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy.

Be sure to check out Martine Courant Rife’s guest post on copyright and digital writing.

In the Workplace with Lauren Fox

Name: Lauren C. Fox
Title: Assistant Editor
Location: Chicago, IL

Tell us about your educational/professional background.
I studied in the professional writing major, editing and publishing track, for four years at MSU. I also worked as a copy editor for The State News for a year before being promoted to copy chief, which I loved doing for a year and a half, and was recognized as Copy Editor of the Year in May 2007. I moved to Chicago to intern at Venus, Chicago Agent and Miami Agent magazines before being hired as News Editor for the magazines.

Tell us about your current job.
In July 2007, I was hired at Associated Publications Inc., where I continue to work as one of two assistant editors of three national magazines: Complete Woman, Sophisticate’s Black Hair and Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide. I mostly write content for the magazines, but also do a great deal of editing and securing material via PR and salon contact. I have interviewed various celebrities and their stylists, such as Amanda Bynes (actress) and Cassie Ventura (singer/actress). Some of my favorite pieces are about fitness/diet/exercise, such as how to get bikini-ready in 30 days and an in-depth look at organic food.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Work starts at 8:30 a.m. every day. I typically get into the office and read/respond to emails for about a half hour. After that, it’s nearly impossible to set a schedule. Since I have three different editors, one for each magazine, they likely will call me at least 10 times throughout the day to ask for celebrity photos, updates from PR agencies on different stars and status/progress on my story assignments.

Between that, I generally work on researching and writing stories. I share an office with the other assistant editor and the associate editor, so the three of us work hard but also are friends, so we take time out to talk during breaks. This is the time when we get ideas for stories, as we discuss our weekends, love lives, sex, etc. Anything goes, and everyone shares. I break for lunch around noon, come back and get back to writing. Some days I have five interviews, while some days I have none. Some days I have to write five stories, while some days I’m so bored I organize my files and alphabetize transcripts. It varies greatly from day to day. The office closes at 6 p.m., and the work day is done. We keep such long hours because we have to be in contact with both New York and Los Angeles for PR firms, celebrities and stylists.

Continue reading →