Culture Trip – Writer

Hello Culture Trip

I love what you’re doing and where you’re going – I hope you’ll find my CV, experience and personality a good fit for your expanding team.

I’m a freelance writer/editor/content producer with 17 years’ professional experience, full BBC journalism training and linguistics qualifications.

Why would I be a great addition to your network of writers?

  • I tick every one of your boxes for ‘desired skills and experience’ and ‘ideal profile’.
  • I’d come to you with a varied portfolio, a clear and confident style, and oodles of knowledge and experience.
  • I’m natural curious with wide-ranging interests.
    I’ve written about everything from rocket science to Shakespeare. My travel writing goes beyond the usual ‘food and drink’ and sight-seeing – I’m a wild-swimmer, a half-marathon runner, a yogini and more – and I reflect on my activities and interests by writing about them.
  • I love to travel, to get to know new people, to learn languages and try new experiences.
    And…
  • I’m speedy, reliable and cheerful – the type of freelancer clients use again and again.

Relevant writing experience

  • Mystery Dining Company
    I’ve worked regularly as a mystery shopper and diner for over 20 years.  There’s usually no pay beyond reimbursement for purchases. So why do it? As well as trying out chains like Bistrot Pierre, Boston Tea Party and Turtle Bay, I’ve reviewed some fab places, such as No 131 in Cheltenham and Malmaison Birmingham. But mostly I do it because I just love writing up my experiences of super service, knowing that the staff will read it and be rewarded. And when an experience isn’t up-to-scratch (clueless waiters, hotel staff overslept, exploding lamps – you couldn’t make it up), I’m tactful but clear about what went wrong and what could be improved.

Places I know

  • Valencia & Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
    I own a home in the city and I’ve been a part-time resident since I first visited, sort of by accident, 10 years ago. I immediately felt at home in Valencia – I just love the place. El clima, la gente, la comida. I’m reasonably fluent in Spanish (enough to chat and negotiate, read anything and buy my place without a gestor) and I’ve created a ‘urban family’ of friends.
    I get out of the city too – to beaches and towns. My favourite spot at the moment is the little spa town of Montanejos with its crystal-clear river heated by thermal springs – pure bliss.
  • The Midlands, England
    I went to school in Birmingham and know the West Midlands, Warwickshire and the Cotswolds very well. Wales, Northern England, Cornwall and Devon quite well too. In the UK, I live in Stratford-upon-Avon. I worked at the RSC in Stratford (5 years full-time, 3 years freelance) and have many contacts in the UK arts world.

What my CV doesn’t say

My CV (attached to the email) sets out the facts – but here’s a little more to explain some choices I’ve made…

To fund-raise for my dream of owning a home in Spain, I moved from multi-media content creation into financial services. Firstly as a freelancer in 2010 and then as a full-time writer from 2014-2017 for the lovely people at Coventry Building Society.

I bought my Valencian bolt-hole on Black Friday 2016. I’m now keen to return to what I love doing – writing and editing creative copy, explaining things clearly, helping and inspiring people.

A note about WordPress…

It’s great isn’t it? I”ve been using it for over 10 years.
My professional site is powered by WordPress: www.soozeworthington.com
And so are my travel blogs eg: Spain   soozeaway.wordpress.com
and Sri Lanka   theladyandthelion.com
I set up WordPress sites for others and train them in how to use it. I’ve also run workshops at Cheltenham and Stratford Literary Festivals in ‘Writing for the web’ and ‘How to be a brilliant blogger’.

Interested?

I hope you’ve found this interesting. Hop back to the email for my availability and rates. Thanks for visiting my site and I hope to hear from you soon.

FAVOURITE CITY: VALENCIA, ESPAÑA