TESTIMONIAL
Some years ago while researching online I chanced upon an interesting article from the now-defunct Whaleoil website. Before long I was reading the site daily and enjoying the political and other discussions that make up the fabric of life.
At some point an advertisement seeking volunteer writers caught my attention and I emailed the editor to express interest.
Why did I do this? I had no credentials, no ‘writing’ experience and only a newly acquired interest in politics. In short, I had nothing to commend myself as a writer when I fired off the email except the desire to write. Clearly, editor Juana Atkins was desperate at the time because my foray into writing for the blog ensued. When Whaleoil closed down I started writing for New Media site The BFD after it was launched over four years ago.
I am not without skills and experience, I’m accurate and fast on a keyboard and my financial career includes writing commentary to explain numbers; I’ve edited technical reports for clarity and non-specialist readability and written and edited board and shareholder reports.
I read a lot, I read with a passion. I read to find out about events and people; I read about what motivates us and explains why we act as we do. Reading is a lifelong pleasure and, for me, writing is a very happy consequence.
What surprised me after joining The BFD is the dozens of talented people who work here: researchers, writers, computer techies and the other important backroom people required to keep the site running. Sometimes I still pinch myself when I realise I am part of a conversation where I learn more than I impart. There’s also the aspect of being integrated into a group that operates rather like a family with shared highs and lows and a common bond of purpose.
The best thing about being an ordinary person is that the expectations of others are low. This is important when I want my writing to overwhelm rather than underwhelm the reader.
I am not entirely altruistic: I have other writing projects planned and will continue to donate my time to The BFD, which has arguably done more to improve my writing than I have contributed to its success.
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