I work with almost anything and everything content. I do writing, editing, researching and marketing. I focus on building relationships using words and providing value to others with content.

EDUCATION | BA in Education from American University. Some graduate courses. I began pursuing a MBA, but discovered that it was too time-consuming after one semester (I had a young child at the time and it ate up too much of our time together). It's a blessing because I would've never pursued my certificate eventually leading to my career as a writer. I'd rather have a masters in English, journalism or communication -- something I hope to do after my kids are grown.

HOW TO GET STARTED | Subscribe to writer email newsletters and read the many writing blogs and web sites. Write articles for a nonprofit organization to start building a portfolio in exchange for doing good for others. Although I don't have a niche, writers have a better chance when they pick a niche. However, don't feel pressured to figure out the niche right away. Go ahead and start as a generalist. You'll find your way and discover your passionate topics. It does help to like the topic you choose for your niche rather than picking a niche that earns the biggest bucks. When you don't like something, it becomes a struggle and drains your energy. I also recommend people avoid quitting their jobs to try their hand at writing. Instead, do it on the side. I held a day job for almost five years before I became a full-time writer. By then, I had a nice plate of gigs and filled it up in no time. Also, writing jobs go beyond media publications and online web sites. It's harder to find paying writing opportunities with magazines and such than with businesses.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | Aside from the ability to write, re-write and self-edit -- be open to feedback. You can't become a better writer if you don't welcome feedback from editors and colleagues. If you're going to be attached to every word you write, then prepare to be miserable unless you're a glutton for punishment and criticism. Next is motivation because there's no one to watch over your shoulders to push you to make your deadlines. Procrastination is dangerous unless the writer is writing for himself without any concern about making a living and keeping clients. Make your deadlines and build rapport, and you'll do fine.

how I got started | After kid #2 arrived, I began working toward a Certificate in Internet Technologies thinking I'd be a web designer. In doing a few gigs, I discovered I didn't like it though I had a strong interest in web design -- but no eye for design. I submitted an article to a popular web design newsletter and they published it. In exchange, I won a full-fledged copy of Photoshop. That was the straw that broke my writing career. It led to paid writing gigs. Over time, I gained more gigs.

why this job?| I love helping clients get in the spotlight or connect with their customers. On occasion, I'll get an email from a reader who thanks me for providing a solution to a problem that had been bugging him or her. Giving people information that helps them in their daily lives energizes me.

why I love this job!| I love the diversity of assignments and clients. I bore easily when doing the same thing for too long and that's never a problem in my business. I've worked with some clients for over eight years and others for several months. Only one client is local, but our introduction came from a colleague who lives several U.S. states away. Another plus is the flexibility. As a mom of three, the flexibility offers a bonus that allows me to be there for the kids and "do it all" without going too crazy. I have one child who has issues and this job makes it possible for me to be there for him. Had I stayed in a corporate job, I'd be making up lost hours after hours at the office away from home. Working in a home office lets me stay with my family albeit a few more interruptions. Thanks to this job, I live a fulfilling life as a parent, volunteer, business professional and person.

my typical day| I always start my day with a cup of coffee and the local newspaper. Yes, print. Despite all the gadgets, toys and my heavy-duty internet use -- I still prefer to get my news in print. The newspaper has a start and end plus it covers everything we need to know that's going on in the world. If I get my news on the internet, I could go on for hours with no end. Plus, it won't guarantee I'll be up to speed on the key things going on locally, nationally and internationally. When I read online stories, I lean toward things that interest my audience and me. So I need to ensure I have a taste of things that I am not as knowledgeable about or as interested in. Anyway, I go straight to my office once the house quiets down as the kids depart for school. I check emails, respond to things that take no more than a couple of minutes and start my day off with a smile or laugh by reading Fail Blog. If I do any blogging for my own blogs, I do it right after catching up on emails. I spend the rest of the morning digging into client work based on priority and deadlines. These activities include writing, editing, research, using business applications (for reviews) and so on. Lunchtime consists of walking the dog (it forces me to get away from the screen -- either that or I'll be stuck cleaning up the dog's mess... no, thanks). I exercise in the afternoon since I'm most effective in the morning and least effective in the afternoon. I spend the rest of the day doing menial tasks such as administration (updating QuickBooks and doing invoices, for example), lightweight writing, playing games that I need to review (I often do this after the kids get home since there are more interruptions), and wrapping up the day's work. Throughout the day, I'll check on Twitter and read blogs depending on my schedule. If I come across something worth Twittering, I'll stop and share. It only takes a minute.

what they are | Finding new clients and coming up with new ways to writing about something. For example, I write a lot of game and book reviews. Sometimes I feel like I've said it all -- except change the names, places and story. We don't work set hours. In other words, go to work at 8am and stay away from the computer after 5pm. It doesn't work that way. Working in a home office challenges people into drawing the line between home and work.

all about growth | I'm right where I want to be in having a full-time career as a writer that supports my family while fulfilling my career ambitions. Being an independent works well for me as it takes off the pressure of trying to climb the ladder in a corporation -- something I did not enjoy. My aim is to stay active in networking so I always find new opportunities as I don't take anything for granted. I've written a couple of books and had print magazine columns. They sweeten my resume especially since some people still don't see writing online as credible as writing for print. I'd like to do more especially write a children's book, but it's not a priority. Unless you're a best selling author, writing books won't earn you serious coin. Instead, it establishes you as an expert. I'd like to write a children's book so the kids at my children's schools know anything is possible. Now if I could come up with a solid idea... I'm not in this business for name recognition and I don't want to tie myself to a niche though I tend to cover technology, marketing, business-to-business, writing and web sites most often. I'm in it to help my clients succeed and make people's days easier.

my website| http://www.meryl.net/