10 years ago, an online “want ad” grabbed the attention of Wisconsin-based writer and editor, Erin Larson. Little did she know, her decision to respond to the ad would eventually propel her into a fascinating new career with an up-and-coming writing agency.

In celebration of her decade anniversary with The Writers For Hire, we sat down with Erin reflect on the past 10 years. Here’s what she had to say.

What kind of work did you do before you joined The Writers For Hire?

I was a managing editor for health care associations’ publications (continuing education textbooks, industry journals, member newsletters, etc.).

How did you first get involved with The Writers For Hire?

It was all very fortuitous: I responded to an online “want ad” for writers, but Wintress (Owner and Senior Editor at TWFH) explained that they were keeping it local. After seeing the same ad a couple months later, I decided to press my luck and try again. Wintress said that one of the lead writers had just relocated to my area and she was willing to try out having another remote writer. (Thank you, Stephanie!)

What is the best part of your job?

Being able to do what I love in the comfort of my home office, while still being part of a wonderfully supportive team.

What’s the most unusual project you’ve done?

Writing copy for soda bottle labels for a start-up craft brew – it was pretty hilarious to write “food” copy.

What have been some of your favorite projects over the past 10 years?

• Research/writing about dredging the Mississippi River and the Panama Canal – those were my “trial” projects. This was a topic I had never even thought about but learned some fascinating facts.
• Interviewing tribe members and writing about the history of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe of Minnesota – I traveled to the reservation to meet with members of the tribe for a compilation of personal stories.
• Editing a book about one woman’s struggle to find answers to her health problems – I really enjoyed helping her bring closure to her experience.
• Editing a “self-help” book about wealth accumulation – the client wrote the compelling, witty copy, and it was fun to be part of the team that brought his work to fruition.

What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on?

An SOP project for a power company in the Southwest – the topic is very “nuanced,” as the client continues to tell us, which means it’s very difficult for the SMEs to articulate what they want us to write.

How has the company changed since you started with TWFH?

The pool of writers has expanded significantly. Other than Wintress and Kathy, there were only a handful of us at the time. The client roster was much smaller, so Wintress was integral on almost all projects. As TWFH grew bigger, introducing the role of the Project Manager was a smart change to give all clients a dedicated PM-and-writer team.

Establishing our project management systems (with Wrike and SharePoint) and adopting Skype for TWFH team communication have streamlined our processes.

What advice would you give to new incoming writers?

Be open to critique. Be open to new topics. Take advantage of the TWFH team approach – we have a fantastic group of administrators and writers who can provide extra support when you need it.

About Erin:

With a Bachelor of Science in Language Arts from Georgetown University and 20 years of editorial experience, Erin brings a passion for words and well-crafted writing to every project. As a writer, she revels in the opportunity to create vibrant original copy and rejuvenate tired text. She has written on a range of topics, in a variety of styles, and for an array of platforms. As an editor, proofreader, translator, and trusted second set of eyes, she has helped clients from around the world enhance their writing. A self-proclaimed editorial perfectionist, Erin once canceled a credit card because of a grammatically incorrect form letter, which she edited and promptly sent back to the company. (Incidentally, she wasn’t surprised to receive no response.)