Tips & Inspo

As the second in a series of Virginia stories for Life in the Ivy, I uncovered more about Ivy Hill community during my interview with Ann Hite. Although she wanted to keep her official age off-the-record, she shared stories about Central Virginia dating back to the 1970s. For these articles, Mary Garner, the publisher uses both my articles and my photography to complete the magazine spread.  Meet Your Neighbor: Ann Hite Originally published at Life in the Ivy Ann Hite laughs and smiles generously, especially when she tells stories from her time in Ivy Hills. She treasures those stories from celebrity [...]

    Headlines matter. Not only do they provide you with page visits from post previews, but they also impact your site’s reputation. If you want to improve your traffic and gain conversions, you need to start by considering how an eye-catching headline can bring your more visitors.  Readers Skim Headlines Most websites generate traffic from content-rich sources including, social media, SEO, email marketing, and backlinks. Each of these mediums requires a strong statement to compel readers to click. Understanding how each medium drives traffic to your website can help you craft attractive phrases.  Social Media When users post links [...]

This comes from a robust blogging plan that integrates with your marketing initiatives.

I felt a little rushed when I showed up for this interview with the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center. I had just left a photoshoot and the equipment was rattling around my car as I wound through the HumanKind campus. I had the number for the building but, I also knew that the facilities sprawled into several areas. When I showed up at the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center‘s Lynchburg facilities, the setting was much different than I expected. Visiting the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center When you first walk into the building, it feels like you stepped [...]

As a volunteer with The Listening, I contributed several artist interview articles that help promote the local Virginia music community. It’s one of the many projects I’ve enjoyed as a writer in Lynchburg, Virginia. After Sara Edwards performed at the Listening’s “Where It Hurts” event, I met with her to discuss the passion behind her music. Below the article, I wrote for the Talk That Talk blog. Artist Interview: Sara Edward’s Sound Cuts Through Noise Pollution Originally published at The Listening’s Talk That Talk When Sara and I met for this interview at Speakertree, the winter twilight had already faded into darkness. We both [...]

When my articles cover impactful events, I’m conscious of the details. Recently, I spoke with an established member of the Ivy Hill Community about her experience with Bob Hope’s visit to Lynchburg. Although her memory was extremely reliable, I cross-checked the facts for two key reasons. First, I didn’t want to bog down the interview with follow-up questions. Second, I value accuracy in reporting, even for a lifestyle magazine. It's an important writing tip for any project. Feature Article for Life in the Ivy Magazine I interviewed Ann Hite for a series of articles for Life in the Ivy. Another [...]