Charlayne Kellum-Gray

Writing has been a part of my life for as far back as I can remember. Even before I could read or put letters together to form words, I used to write squiggles over and over on a tablet in an attem...показать большеWriting has been a part of my life for as far back as I can remember. Even before I could read or put letters together to form words, I used to write squiggles over and over on a tablet in an attempt to reproduce my mother's elegant signature. Once I learned to read, (surprisingly I don't remember the process), it was like a whole new world opened up for me - a world of make-believe and wonder, of entertainment and information, a world vastly bigger than my little neighborhood in Queens Village, N.Y. Reading became my life. When I wasn't outside playing with my friends, I was curled up somewhere devouring books. What did I read? By the time I was a teenager, anything and everything! Romance, biographies, history, and even self-help. Newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias - you name it, I read it. (Ok, so I'm dating myself but...we didn't have the internet then.) At 14 years old, I remember sneaking my aunt's copy of The Hite Report- a very interesting read... Soon after learning to read (around the age of 6), I discovered my love of writing. What I discovered is that writing allowed me to explore my deepest feelings. Writing allowed me to say what I felt, why I felt it, and there was no judgment about it. The blank page accepted my insecurities, my faults and even my sins, and didn't condemn me for them. My pencil connecting with the page made me feel understood in a world I didn't always understand. I had found my outlet; my release. Reading took me away to other lands, other adventures, other lives. But when I had to return to the realities of life, writing helped me to cope. Writing rejoiced with me over my triumphs and successes, and mourned with me over my sorrows and failures. Reading had become a joy in my life, but writing was an extension of my life. So...what did I write? Anything and everything! Poetry, short stories, journals, letters, etc. As I got older, and more educated, I wrote magazine articles, newspaper articles, press releases and training manuals. More recently I've written/edited press releases, biographies for websites and one sheets, posts for blogs and websites and created training manuals for various industries. Feel free to email me for samples or examples. Reading and writing are still huge parts of my life. I'm probably one of the few people left who write and mail snail mail. Editing has taken a grip on me and I, sometimes unwittingly, edit other people's websites, blog posts and even Facebook posts. I can't help it. Fortunately, I usually do this in my head, and not out loud or in writing (unless asked). My (now) love of editing comes from wanting others to come across in the best possible light. As every good writer knows, not only should you have an engaging introduction, but also a great ending. So I'll leave you with some of the greatest words known to man - words from The Holy Bible: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Phillipians 4:8 NKJVпоказать меньше