Copywriting - Creative Writing (Creative optional)

Posted: 9th Oct 2012

Beware the 'flux'...

My background in creative writing, screenwriting, has been both a benefit and a burden in fostering my career as a copywriter.

Custom building a story, paving a journey for your targert audience is what any writer strives to do. For me, it's the old artistic license that lingers in the background that needs a good tug on the lead and pulled to heel from time to time.

The robotic formula of brief, research, draft, edit, re-draft, gets on anyone's wick on day to day basis (not that I'm bashing my lucky position as a busy freelancer).

It's the 'click' that happens amongst the routine that makes me sit at that desk and power through, and it's this creative flurry when the penny drops and you land that concept, that makes things interesting and prompts the really hard work.

Wading through the creative craziness and mass of unfiltered ideas is the hard bit. Sieving, editing, fleshing out, while effectively echoing the brief, is where the real talent resides. I've built on my 'auto brief recognition', ABF, function over the years, letting my noggin kick in and scan that brief while things start to 'flux'.

I've always favoured the paper and pen over the keyboard, how words look and sound really is important to me. The delay between the ramblings of my mind to the twitch of my fingers acts as a light filter, maybe this is where the ABF does its job.

Whether you're creating sales, marketing, B2B or branding copy getting the words down and naturally communicating the key messages is paramount. Balancing the objective with the creative is where the real job of a copywriter, rather than the wordsmith, is housed.

The almighty blog...

Posted: 2nd Sep 2012

Know this or fail.

Before I dig my own grave here, there is just a few things I need to address and confirm that I am most aware of, and perhaps should pertain to more regularly;

1 - Blogs are invaluable for creating connections with customers, peers, general public.

2 - You can get your mitts on some SEO goodness.

3 - Accessibly showcase your chosen talent, skill or opinion.

4 - Millions of other previously over-blogged reasons.

These well-rounded points are not my 'beef' with blogs. With far too often proclaims of being bogged down with work and promises of regular posts, I'm guilty of neglecting my wee blog pal. It's not the blogs that rattle me it's the bloggers, the constant to-do and not-to-do lists of things you MUST abide by to be a successful and valid creative, of any means or field.

Rants are beautiful things but here mine ends, as to anyone who reads this will nod in silent agreement. For me it's simple, Yes, I do need to blog more, and yes, I do know why and what to do, but I also know how to naturally communicate with folk. Whether I want to talk about recent inspirations, projects or simply my experimentation with a new brand of teabag, these things are ok to talk about through any medium.

So to one and all, use what you need to when you want to. Pop on Twitter, Foursquare it or get KILTR-ed up, just talk like a person who loves what they do and folk will respond and enjoy.

COMING SOON - New blog posts.

D.

Transcription meets Nic, Nic meet Transcription

Posted: 9th Jul 2012

Distil's got a new wordy pal...

I'm always up for a new challenge, and a new string to add to the Distil bow so I was chuffed when The Modern Institute, Glasgow gallery, asked me to transcript 2 new interviews featuring sculptor Richard Hughes. A quick deadline, an incompatible dictaphone and 24 hours later the job's done! I genuinely enjoyed the process and hope to be able to offer those services again. Good times and some super quick typing. Boom!

D.

Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey....

Posted: 4th Jun 2012

I love it when a plan comes together.

So, yet again my claims of being troused by work are a posting, but this time it's all true! Got all manners of projects on the go, alongside my Distil commitments. Partnering up my tourism campaign and online presence of Iona Barker, my scraps of time leftover have been devoured by 'Stitch-hiker' and my screenwriting follies.

Distil remains top dog and news of my present projects will be shared as soon as I run out of teabags.

D.

It's been a while...

Posted: 17th May 2012

Greetings.

Busy, busy, busy, no excuse I know. Will do better. Exciting things acomin' folks o keep your peepers peeled!

D

Fusions, Girls and Copy

Posted: 19th Mar 2012

Hello Art Fusion and PaperGirl Glasgow!

Had a great meeting with the ladies of Art Fusion Glasgow, a collective event bringing artists, creatives and the public together under the umbrella of accesible art and passion. As part of the Gibson Street Gala, 17th June, AFG will host gallery spaces, live arts events and workshops all day. A great opportunity to showcase and introduce artists to artists, the public to creative practice and the world to wonderful works. I'll be on board providing copy services, brochures, artist bios and social media content and management, amongst enjoying the day and getting stuck in too!

Running alongside, the Papergirl Glasgow, will be also bringing some much appreciated art-love in the form of free art for the public. Lovely folks. I too shall be handling some social media, copy for their website and extra bits and bobs of wordsmithery.

Keep your peepers peeled!

It's good to talk

Posted: 15th Mar 2012

People are just grand.

At the present time I am researching, networking and fishing out new contacts and inspirations. The annual 'push' and flurry of getting myself on an enthusiastic page for 2012 at Distil. My trip to Edinburger introduced me to Chris Roy, of Northswiss, a lovely chap full of knowledge, experience and a love for bikes. Hopefully a friend and co-creative of the future. Next was Alan, of Lennon Design. Very established, passionate man who gave me some key pointers and swirled up a world of jealousy over his office space. Both people I hope to see again.

My storming of Edinburgh shall commence again next week with a meeting at the very great Whitespace and perhaps a trip to Leith to pester some of the great agencies and studios in Scotland. If you are an Edinburgh resident, creative or tea drinker get in touch and let's eat some cake and chat.

Busy Bee

Posted: 8th Mar 2012

I'm still here!

Been good and busy recently, nice projects with Revolver Design and 14c Studio. Also working on some of my own projects. Lot's of To-Do lists and research and much loved trips to the glorious Mitchell library. Coupled with constant company from 'First Aid Kit', new music love, things are ticking away nicely... I shall be in better contact, I promise! With projetcs in the pipeline for Iona Barker, Lillas Farlos and Postcard Limited I shall have lot's to chew your ear off with!

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