I've been writing professionally for over a dozen years, but I also had a life before that, which gives my work  a broad perspective.  I've been a business owner, musician, father, husband, real estate agent, graphic artist, sign painter and minister.  My business experience gives me a respect for the promotional needs of every business.  My life in real estate gives me a finger on the pulse of the economya free-lan amce writer with numerous published works, including feature articles, humor pieces and technical articles.  I have written a monthly real estate column for a regional publication for several years, and was a featured humor columnist with the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA).  I have ghost-written a book, authored a screenplay, and composed songs which have been recorded by various musical artists.  (View samples of my writing at www.billireland.com.)

Duties: A free-lance writer must be able to acquaint himself quickly with a wide range of subjects.   He must locate the people and documentary sources that can shed light on a topic, gather the appropriate information, and assemble it in an understandable and engaging form for readers.  This calls for skills in interviewing, organization, management and research as well as written communication.

The writer must adjust style, tone and vocabulary to fit the intended audience and medium.  The requirements for a technical or informational article are very different from a promotional or humor piece.  When writing for periodicals, it is also imperative to become familiar with the target publication and its reader demographic, and to tailor each project precisely to the client's needs. 

Whatever the medium, a writer must produce professional copy that is clear and error-free.  And he must be comfortable working within deadlines.  This requires discipline, focus, an ability to manage time, and a capacity to perform well under pressure.  An effective writer must also be comfortable approaching people in every sphere of life, soliciting their opinions and expertise.  He must discern overarching themes and patterns in the data he collects, and weave those into his work.  It is a challenging and fulfilling vocation. 

In all my writing projects, I have been professional and conscientious, meeting my deadlines and providing quality products for my clients.

Education:

California State University, Northridge

Santa Monica College