Brandi Brown

Beginning A Homeschool Life

2010-07-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

We weren't those folks who wanted to homeschool long before we had children. We aren't avoiding public school because of concerns about morality or religion. Instead we intended to give our children the best education possible. As it turns out, right now that means homeschooling.

I've started recording our homeschool journey on a separate blog, Unlikely Homeschoolers, so I won't rehash issues here that belong there. The purpose of talking about homeschool here is twofold. The first is to avoid answering "so where's Jayden going to school?" 412 times. He's going to school at our house!

Beyond that, I view the purpose here to tell about my life. Though I never intended it, my life is a quirky mixture of personal and professional. Nothing has a clearly-defined line. There are days when I envy people for whom the lines are clearer, but I know that my mind and my personality don't work that way. Homeschool is just another part of my life that proves this weird trajectory.

Hand Building Attempts

2010-07-16T04:44:00.001-07:00

I've wanted to try building things with clay for a while, so last night I finally worked on a few pieces. This is an air-drying clay, which apparently takes 2 days to dry. Here are the first pictures.

Following My Dreams, People - Yes, I Am

2010-07-14T18:57:00.000-07:00

People who know me from my life before college know me as a nerdy kid who followed the rules and loved math. Those of you who've had the beautiful pleasure of knowing me since then know the "me" who loves art, is a writer by profession, and believes "rocking the boat" is an appropriate life philosophy.

Writing became my job accidentally. When I left graduate school in history, which was the right decision for me, I didn't know what to do with my degrees in humanities fields. I became a reporter because I'd enjoyed working on my college newspaper. It turned out, though, that I didn't care much for rah-rah-style "community" journalism. I left in June 2004 to freelance.

Since that time, I've resorted primarily to writing copy for websites. I've written sites for ambulance-chasing attorneys, a blog on life with babies, and basic content on topics ranging from building a compost bin to the course requirements for genetics degrees. Over the past six years, I have researched and written on hundreds of topics and can recall facts about both obscure and distinguished topics.

Writing with one baby, then two, and now two preschoolers underfoot has been a struggle but has taught me that women still wear more hats than men and that wearing them with grace and style is a delicate balancing act I'm still mastering.

Corporate writing wasn't a career goal for me. It was a way to pay bills while I worked on my "other" writing - you know the writing I mean. I would work on my "real" writing after my paid work was done. Those 4 children's book manuscripts, a long-untouched tickle file, and novels in various stages of incompletion still sit in my filing cabinet, neatly packed away for a time when I have enough energy at the end of the day for that "real" writing.

The stirring as I've watched Jayden has become more difficult to ignore. He has a brilliant, quirky mind made for math. He gets the beauty of math. He understands calculations on an intuitive level. At 5, he can talk about the connections he finds between number groupings, and we've yet to find a pattern he couldn't identify. Yet...I listen to him make up stories, using toys - or his sister - to act out the character in his dramas. (They're always dramas with Jayden.) I watch his joy when I say he can paint.

I see him in two parts - one that loves structure and numbers and the other that revels in the artistry of his creations. What I see when I see Jayden is me. His lack of the inhibitions brought on by social pressure allow him to be both. He doesn't have to choose. And neither do I.

Starting this fall, I will be seeking a teaching certification and completing a degree in math. My writing will occupy my time as a pursuit that allows me to stretch and dream. I still want that elusive first book contract, but I know now that I cannot be happy if I allow one side of me to flourish only at the expense of the other.

Free July Writing Classes!

2010-06-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

I'm offering a few free classes this summer. Please check out the offerings!

The Story of Me!
In this class, we will begin by reading narrative picture books about stories of children’s lives. Then we will talk about the types of stories we can have: funny, happy, sad. The children will use pictures I have, as well as their own artwork, to create a book with a story from their own lives. At the end of the class, children will have a yarn-bound book to take home with them.

Recommended Ages: 3-6

Sessions: July 13, 15 from 10 AM - Noon

Words Without Pictures

Because children at this age are reading (or getting there), this class focuses on telling a story without using pictures. On the first day, we will read a short book without (many) pictures and then talk about anticipating what might be coming up in a story. The second day will be devoted to each child coming up with a story of his or her own. These stories will range from 3-4 sentences for younger participants to several paragraphs for older ones. (Knowing how to spell isn’t required!) All participants will have a hand-made book with their story when they finish the second day.

Recommended Ages: 5-9

Sessions: July 13, 15 from 1:00-3:00 PM

Introduction to Journaling

Adapted from an adult class I’ve taught, this class introduces the concept of journaling and its importance. We begin by discussing what journaling means and how it’s useful. We also will discuss various ways to journal, and each participant will make a journal. Then we will begin doing some journaling exercises. At the end of the course, the students will have the journal they created and will have the beginnings of good journaling practices.

Recommended Ages: 9-12

Sessions: July 12, 14, 16 from 9:00-11:00 AM

The Fine Print

All classes are held in my home at 119 Lyons Drive in Frankfort. Parents don’t have to stay, but you’re welcome to if you’d like.

Age ranges are estimates. If you think your child would do better in a class aged higher or lower, let’s talk about it! We can go over what’s expected in the class.

For more information or to pre-register (space is limited to 5 participants per class), please email brandi@brandibrownonline.com.

Excitement is in the air!

2009-11-03T06:24:00.000-08:00

I have a new project I'm working on right now. I'm not ready to share with everyone yet, but I'm so excited about it. Those of you who've been privvy to my pining about my career woes know that I've been looking for the right direction for a long time.

Pictures from the Ice Storm

2009-01-28T13:43:00.001-08:00

Yeah, I know this isn't terrible, but the weather has been terrible here. Here are a few pictures of the kids and our yard. Jayden refused to wear his coat at first, but then he relented.

Selected Samples

2009-01-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Benefits of Baby Massage
Discover the ways your baby will benefit from being gently massaged.

7 Traditional Classes...and What You'll Learn in Them
Don't think English 101 is necessary? Find out why it is - and how you can use this knowledge.

About Permits for Opening a Nightclub
Learn what you need to know to get started and how to deal with government requirements.

My Selected Resume

2009-01-20T07:07:00.000-08:00

EDUCATION
Mercer University, Macon, Georgia August 2002
Bachelor of Arts: History, Sociology, & Women’s Studies
GPA: 3.937

Honors
President’s List Outstanding student, Women’s and Gender Studies
Dean’s List Outstanding Student, Sociology
Highest GPA, Sociology Dean’s Choice Leadership Award

WORK EXPERIENCE
Writer, Independently Employed 2004-Present* Selected Clients
- KnackParenting.com, Giving Back staff writer
- Demand Studios
- Bella Online, Computer Careers Editor
- Busy Mommy, Work at Home Editor
- ArticlesAndContent.com

* Writers Research Group
- Produced articles monthly for large Internet client
- Created article topics based on various search engine criteria

* Rita’s Writers
- Wrote keyword-driven articles on a variety of topics

* Authored 101 Careers in Gender Studies
- Marketed publication successfully to universities across the nation
- Created advertising campaign and website
- Handled all production and distribution needs

* Online Article Writing
- Maintain relationships with ongoing clients
- Handle marketing to find new clients
- Have ghostwritten more than 1600 content-based articles for the web

* Magazine Article Writing
- “Ten Ways to Earn Money Writing”
The WC, April 2006
- “15 Ways to Save 15 Minutes a Day”
Undeclared, forthcoming

Dawson Media 2004-2005
* General Partner, Acquisitions Director
- Find new talent and obtain submissions
- Create original product line of bumper stickers, t-shirts, greeting cards, and other novelty and desktop publishing items
- Manage administrative aspects of the company

The Community Press 2003-2004
* Staff Reporter
- Worked on a four-paper group, published weekly
- Wrote stories ranging from politics to hard news to human interest
- Generated stories
- Took photographs for my stories and lead art
- Made and maintained contacts with sources and government officials
- Produced 8-10 articles weekly (clips enclosed)

A Reminder About Finding Work

2008-12-22T14:38:00.000-08:00

Jodee Redmond at Freelance Writing Gigs posted today (I swear, though I can't find the piece right now) reminding us all not to stop looking for jobs during the holidays. That's great advice and bears repeating. Often we can snag good opps by looking when others aren't.

Editor at Busy Mommy

2008-11-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year, Rachel Lister launched Busy Mommy. The site covers all of the major “areas” of being a mom from pregnancy to enviro-mom. I came on board in July as the Work at Home editor. I invite you to check out the opportunities there are to be an editor at Busy Mommy (revenue-sharing) and just to look around and take in information from other mamas on life as a mom.

Write Non-Fiction in November

2008-11-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Back in September, I read an article in Angela Hoy's Writers' Weekly about a request Angela received to write for free. All of the controversy aside, I liked the idea of Write Non-Fiction in November, and I understood what Nina Amir was doing. Every November thousands of writers scribble furiously into the night, working on the next Great American Novel while those of us who write non-fiction are left sitting by idly. Well, probably not idly, but you get the idea.

Nina Amir launched Write Non-Fiction in November last year as a way to put that challenge on for non-fiction writers. I decided to join this year. I'll be writing a book I'm planning to self-publish and sell mostly locally. The book is a middle-class guide to frugality and will be chock full (I hope) of tips for people who need to tighten up the family purse strings.

My outline puts the manuscript goal at roughly 31,500 words, which is short but will work well for selling myself. Today's my first day working on the project. My goal is to get to 1,500 words (or 10 tips) by the end of the day today. Wish me luck!

No More KnackParenting.com

2008-11-03T08:50:00.001-08:00

KnackParenting.com bit the dust at least as far as writers are concerned. I’m not sure what happened exactly, but we got word through email on Friday that the site wasn’t using writers anymore. So, I’m out that work – just after I was writing about how good it would be as a platform for my writing on charity work. Bah.

Writing Sample from KnackParenting.com

2008-10-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

A sample of my writing…

Profile of a Non-Profit: Amnesty International
Amnesty International is the world’s leading human rights organization. Find out more about how it started and how you can get involved.

KnackParenting.com

2008-10-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

One of my goals with this blog is to share the inner workings of my writing life. I’m sure I won’t share everything. Who does? I am at a place, however, where I feel I can tell others about where I write and what I do without it hurting me. I’m also at a place where I don’t need to worry as much about hurting feelings as I have in the past.

KnackParenting.com is the first website I want to share with you. KnackParenting.com is based on a magazine in the Phoenix area, and the man who owns the magazine employs writers to fill 20 slots to write for the magazine. Lisa Pietsch (pronounced “peach”), who many know from Families.com, is the community manager for KnackParenting.com and recruits writers through C4, her company for content writers.

On the downside, KnackParenting.com has terrible pay. Absolutely terrible. The pay is now for me a whopping $4 per article.

The plus side is that Lisa understands the pay situation and is pretty understanding. The system is simple to learn, and the pay is on time without any hassle.

I also write for the “Giving Back” section, which is a topic I enjoy covering. I’d like at some point to write a book on charity and activist work with children, and I’m using KnackParenting.com as a platform for my proposals. Having a platform – being able to show that you’ve written about a topic before for a decent-sized audience – is key in publishing. You want to be able to show that you have experience in a topic and that you have a way to begin to get customers for the publisher.

Writing opportunities dealing with charity are few and far between. Most parenting magazines have people who write on charity as an advertising piece, meaning the writers are ministers or nonprofit directors who aren’t writing to get paid. That means for someone like me – who wants some moola for my efforts – it’s hard to come by opportunities to write on charity.

KnackParenting.com fills this void. Though I don’t think it’s a long-term solution for anyone, it does provide a way to get started as a writer.

Welcome!

2008-10-22T15:39:00.001-07:00

I'm Brandi Brown, a freelance writer of 4 years. I hope to share with you about my work, life, and writing.