I worked as a story analyst, ghost writer and story editor in the film and television industry in Los Angeles for thirteen years. During that time, several of my own original short scripts and screenplays were produced independently, for film and for web streaming. I also worked on set and in executive offices (mostly in Development), giving me a well-rounded view of the Entertainment Industry.
For the past 14 years, I have been a college instructor of all manner of writing/composition/English courses - from developmental language through advanced composition and creative writing, as well as business writing and communications.
No matter what I'm doing, I always make time to work on my own creative projects. In 2010, I published the first book in a series called The Tir Na n'Og Saga (www.tirnanogsaga.com).
My CV follows, giving you a brief yet complete overview of my experiences and qualifications. You know that you are getting both a talented and a professional writer/editor when you hire me for your project!
EDUCATION
University of Phoenix, MAEd Secondary Teacher Education: Phoenix, AZ: 2009
Loyola Marymount University, MA Rhetoric & Composition (coursework complete): Los Angeles, CA: 2005
University of Southern California, Master of Professional Writing: Los Angeles, California: 1997
Northern Arizona University, MA Creative Writing (15 units): Flagstaff, Arizona: 1/96-7/96
Jacksonville University, BA English, minors in Writing and Philosophy: Jacksonville, Florida: 1993
EXPERIENCE
Performance Training Institute, Adjunct Faculty: Phoenix, AZ: 6/2010-present
• PD 105 – Strategies for Success
• PD 106 – Critical Thinking: An Introduction
• GB 306 – Communications for Business
• KB 204 – Computer Keyboarding I
• KB 205 – Computer Keyboarding II
• KB 206 – Computer Keyboarding III
Collins College, Adjunct Faculty: Phoenix, AZ: 9/2009-7/2010
• Curriculum modification and textbook selection
• COL 102 – College Success
• COM 102 – Interpersonal Communication
• EGL 103 – English Composition
• PHI 406 – Ethics
Agua Fria Union & Phoenix Union High School Districts, Substitute Teacher: Phoenix, AZ: 9/08-present
Axia College of University of Phoenix, Online Faculty: Phoenix, AZ: 8/2006-present
• COM 120 – Essentials of Persuasive Writing
• COM 125 – Utilizing Information in Writing
• COM 150 – Effective Essay Writing
• COM 215 – Written Communication
• COM 220 – Research Writing
• PHY 105 – Introduction to Philosophy
College of the Canyons, Associate Adjunct Faculty: Santa Clarita, CA: 8/00-6/2005
• English 035 – Introduction to Sentence Writing
• English 071 – Beginning Reading and Writing Skills
• English 080 – Introduction to Critical Reading
• English 081 – Intermediate Reading and Writing Skills
• English 090 – Introduction to College Writing
• English 101 – English Composition & Literature
• English 103 – Advanced English Composition, Nonfiction
• English 105 – Creative Writing
PartyPop.com, Copywriter: Agoura Hills, CA: Fall 1999
• Write and edit “personal experience” style copy to describe the process of creating theme parties
2210 Entertainment, Development, Los Angeles, CA: 3/98-9/99
• Read, critique, and/or edit screenplays, novels, and short stories, proofreading
• Generation/distribution of internal and external correspondence
Pima Community College, Tucson, AZ: Fall/Winter 1997-98
• WRT 101 - Introduction to college level writing, emphasizing argumentation
• WRT 102 - Continuation of WRT 101
• LIT 231 - Introduction to Shakespeare
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ: 3/96-6/96
• ENG 270 - lead dialogue writing workshop: 6/96
• ENG 270 - screenplay writing and discuss working in Hollywood: 4/96
• Writing Center - assist students with writing assignments, mainly on the computer: Spring 1996
• One on One Tutor - assist South African undergrad with spoken and written English
• Guest Instructor, Undergraduate Creative Writing class: 3/96
Freelance, Editor/Story Analyst/Ghostwriter, Various Locations: 3/93-6/05
• Editing and proofreading screenplays, novels and short stories
• Analyze story elements and budget for screenplays and novels, recommendations for film production
• Ghostwrite feature length screenplays for independent producers
CONFERENCES/PUBLICATIONS/HONORS
Red Frog Publishing, Author “Tir Na n’Og: Journal One” novel: June 2010
Arizona Republic, Letters to the Editor: 2006
Rhetoric Symposium, Presenter, “Reconsidering Diction,” Texas A&M University: 2005
Piece of Work Productions, Screenwriter “Whack Job” feature direct to video: 2001
Wayside Entertainment, Writer “Story Time” television sketch comedy short: 1999
Penhalligan Press, Writer “The Birth” in poetry anthology Word of Mouth: 1998
Athena Magazine, Editorial Writer “How Did I Get Here?” monthly WWW publication: 6/96-12/96
Introvision International Productions, Script Editor ”The Prometheus Project” feature film: 1995
Michael J. McCormick Productions, Script Editor “Peck” feature film: 1994
Gilfellan Scholarship, Monetary award, achievement in the Humanities, Jacksonville University: 1991-92
COURSEWORK
Teaching (Graduate Only)
Community College Teaching Techniques, Introduction to Action Research, Lifespan Development & Leaning, Critical Issues in Education, Art & Science of Teaching, Models, Theories & Instructional Strategies, Action Research, Secondary Student Teaching Seminar I: The Professional Educator, Reading Methods for Secondary Settings, Structured English Immersion, Survey of Special Populations, Maintaining an Effective Learning Climate, Secondary Methods, Distance Education Methods for Secondary Settings, Secondary Teaching Seminars II & III.
Rhetoric and Composition – Graduate Only
Communication Strategies, Contemporary Rhetorical Theory, Composition Theory, The Sophists, Graduate Composition
Theory– Graduate Only
Contemporary Critical Theory, The Gaze, Theory of Teaching Writing and Literature
Writing
• Graduate - Humor, Novel, Short Story, Screenwriting, Technical/Business, Playwriting, Television, Reviewing, Story Conference
• Undergraduate - Short Fiction, English Grammar, Creative Writing, Expository Writing, Argumentation/Debate, English Composition
Literature
• Graduate - Samuel Beckett, 18th Century Poets, W. B. Yeats, Forgeries & Fakes in Film and Fiction, 19th Century Prose/Poetry, Modern Irish
• Undergraduate - Victorian/Romantic, British, Renaissance Prose/Poetry, Arthurian Legends,
Approaches to Literature, Shakespeare, Medieval, American
SUPPLEMENTAL
Computer (PC and Mac)
• Teaching Tools - Online learning management systems, Webgrade, CourseCompass, Avacast
• Internet - Research, Basic HTML, Newsgroups, Instant Messaging, Chat Rooms
• Word Processing/Presentations - Word, PowerPoint, Final Draft, Scriptware
• Spreadsheets/Databases - Excel, Access, Quicken, QuickBooks, Filemaker Pro
• Creative – FinalCut Express, iMovie, Photoshop, InDesign, Publisher
Office
• Executive - Annual reports, meeting agendas, presentations, proposals, correspondence, light bookkeeping, general HR, client service/relations, scheduling, travel arrangements, catering, personal asst
• General - Proofreading, editing, mail distribution, 80 wpm typing, 80 line phones, Dictaphone
CERTIFICATION
Arizona Substitute Teaching Credential (2008-renewable)
Arizona Provisional Secondary Teaching Credential (2009-2011)
Associates Program (Community College) - Associate Professorship status and salary raise (2004)
Arizona Community College Teaching Credential (1997-1999)