Account representative by day, aspiring writer by night!

I'm Richard (or Rick, whichever works for you), and right now I work full time for a major insurance company in a customer service/administrative role. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Communications that I earned in 2003, but has been basically collecting the proverbial dust, so to speak. I'm hoping you can help me sweep some (but preferably all) of that dust off.

You're probably sitting there wondering how someone with a passion for writing and a communications degree winds up in a cubicle getting screamed at by an overworked, over-stressed, and underpaid broker bent out of shape about their next commission while an equally burned out, dead-eyed manager hovers over his shoulder with a stopwatch clocking everything from his call handle time to his bathroom breaks, all while telling him that the paradigm is shifting soon. Well, there is a perfectly good explanation for that; and by "perfectly good," I mean "absolutely terrible." It was a job that I hastily took out of a sense of financial necessity and urgency (education isn't cheap, and lenders don't like the idea of waiting, after all). 12 years later I feel like that guy in a horror movie who ran into the basement instead of out the front door, trapped.

With that in mind, I am looking to make a career switch from my current role into one that really allows me to both put my communications degree to use (for a change) as well as tap into my passion to write and be creative. Before I can do that, however, I need to build a portfolio. Currently, I've been writing articles for an internal company newsletter over the past year, and it has allowed me to rediscover the love for creativity and writing that I thought I had lost so many years ago in the tumultuous whirlwind that is insurance.

All humor aside, I am very passionate and dedicated, and would love the chance to write for you and allow my creative side to show. I'm willing to give any project a chance, if you're willing to give me a shot.

Work Terms

Please keep in mind that I currently do work full time Monday through Friday, and due to some internal situations at my job, my hours do tend to run rather long. However, I am free most weekends (usually Saturday mornings), or weekday evenings. I don't necessarily have a problem with commuting, but if it is something I can do from home, all the better.

In terms of payment, I'll be very honest. Since I currently work full time and am just getting back into writing, I will not be one of those types who overcharges and under delivers. I am realistic about my situation, and as a realist, I must also be realistic about terms of payment. I can't think of a situation in which I would refuse the minimum, to be frank with you. Money is not my main objective. What is most important to me is sharpening my writing skills, getting back in touch with my creativity and passion, and building a portfolio that will help aid me in a change of career. And hey, if I'm able to make a couple bucks on the side, that's great. However, it is not what I seek most.

My preferred method of contact is through email or text. I am on call quite a bit, so I'm not always in a good position to answer phone calls. However, if that is the method you prefer, I will more than happily accomodate you.