Pamela S. Beason
Writing & Editorial Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, Pam answers the most common questions about her services.
Q: How do you charge?
A: I generally charge by the hour because I have found that's the
least costly method for the client. I will write contracts to charge
for a specific deliverable, but in that case all requirements must
be specified up front by the client and if project requirements
change (and they almost always do), the contract must be
renegotiated. Contact me for a
quote.
Q: How can you write about (or edit)
something you're not an expert in?
A: A good writer or editor is a translator between the expert and
the intended audience. Most experts are too accustomed to the jargon
of their specialty to write for the rest of us. I've been doing this
for more than a decade; I know how to talk to programmers,
engineers, scientists and other experts and then explain in common
English to a layperson.
Q: I have valuable ideas. How do I know
you'll keep my secrets?
A: You give me a nondisclosure agreement and I'll sign it - that's
the normal way to get the promise down on paper. I've kept the
secrets of many important clients over the years.
Q: Not many people do both writing and
editing. What's up with that?
A: You're right. Most freelancers are either writers or editors, not
both; I'm a bit unusual in that I have a lot of experience working
at both jobs. When I write, I turn in very clean copy because of my
editorial eye. But nobody should edit their own writing, so when I
work as a writer, I hope someone else proofreads my work. I know a
large number of writers and editors, so if you need a whole team, I
can find them for you.
Q: Do you write fiction, too?
A: Glad you asked that. Most technical writers have a novel or two
in their pocket, and I actually have several manuscripts and a
couple of screenplays that are currently being shopped around. Check
out www.PamelaSBeason.net
for more info.
