Karen has more than 25 years experience as a communicator. Motivated, personable and professional, she is keenly perceptive and thrives on deadlines. She is able to capture ideas and personalities and put them into words that move and motivate others. She specializes in business-to-business writing (press releases, newsletters, annual reports, brochures, web content, etc.), as well as in writing feature articles for both consumer and trade publications.
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It was my 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Kolesar, who gave me the idea that I had talent as a writer. From then on, when anyone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d respond, “a writer.” I believe my parents thought that meant “starving artist” and urged me to study something more practical. So when I went to college, I chose Communication Arts as my major and earned my Bachelor of Arts from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, in 1984.
Over the years I worked in New York City, actually making money as a writer. I served in various editorial roles at various trade magazines that covered the plastics industry. Yes, plastics. I spent 17 years in plastics and if I had a nickel for every time someone mentioned the movie, “The Graduate,” when I told them what I did, I’d be a millionaire.
I moved to Southeastern Connecticut in 1997 when I married my husband, Tim. At the same time I accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief for a plastics trade magazine based in Florida and worked out of my home. In 2003 the magazine was sold to a company in California that already had a staff in place. All of a sudden, I was out of a job and my life in plastics was over (sob!). At the time, I didn’t think I knew how to do anything other than write about plastics.
So, I spent a couple of years doing other things, rediscovering myself, and re-igniting my desire to write. In the process, I lost 50 pounds and gained the confidence I needed to understand that I could do more than regurgitate the benefits and features of plastics manufacturing equipment.
In 2005 I embarked on a freelance writing and editing career and haven’t looked back. I work with all kinds of people and businesses and help them tell their stories. I have a special talent for drawing people out, finding that special something that sets them apart from others and communicating it. I am finding that, in addition to being a job, that this is my mission and purpose in life.
I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Connecticut, the Southeastern Connecticut Women’s Network (I serve as Secretary on the Board of Directors) and New London Main Street. I am child-free by choice and live in New London with Tim and our two cats, Bella and Claude. In my spare time I kickbox, run, do cross-word puzzles, volunteer at New London Main Street, read, cook and very much enjoy life here in New London.
