Writer
Online Content Developer, Writing Coach and Strategist
From the Blog
Internet ids: fake it ’til you make it
I am hopelessly old-fashioned. So old-fashioned that even in the whacked-out, surreal world of social media, I still cling to quaint notions that people are who they say they are, especially when they have built an authentic reputation on a site. Of course I know that skulduggery, bullying, duplicity and criminal behaviour abound online, but it’s ...
We’re not having enough fun!
I led a workshop a while back and all 16 of the participants filled out a “wheel of life,” a coaching tool that helps people focus on the areas where they feel the most satisfied or dissatisfied in their lives. Everyone was asked to identify their levels of satisfaction in eight different areas. Not surprisingly, ...
All the lonely people
Years ago when I was a reporter for a daily paper I covered a visit by Mother Teresa to the small northern Alberta town of Lac la Biche. I am not particularly religious but she said something to the thousands who flocked to see her that hot spring day that has always stayed with me. ...
Testimonials
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“Valerie was my instructor for the New Media Communications class and for the Career Preparation class. There is no question about her expertise. Through her classes, I improved my writing skills, especially for the web. I also became a better communicator via writing exercises and presentation opportunities.”
– Katherine Ng, Freelance Writer -
“Valerie is a great coach who gets to the core of problems quickly and laser focuses her clients to come up with their own creative solutions. She was born to coach.”
– Koby Cooke, Vice-President, Operations at Cactus Club Restaurants -
“As Director, Communications and Marketing for Crofton House School (2015-2017), I worked with Val on the School’s language and grammar style guide and handbook. Val’s work was outstanding. She is perceptive, detailed and, has a razor-sharp intellect. Throughout the process she was always available and attentive to my many questions and feedback. I have never considered myself a grammar fiend, but working with Val changed that. She made the process feel like a fun adventure. I was proud of our final products.”
– Julie Coghlan-Smith, Admissions, Stratford Hall, Vancouver
About Me
VALERIE is a writer/editor, educator and digital content strategist. She has worked as an arts journalist, film critic and career and writing coach. As an educator, she teaches in the School of Business in the New Media and Digital Animation programs at BCIT and in the Communication Design Essentials program in conjunction with Emily Carr College of Art and Design (ECUAD).