Tag: freelance writer

Copywriting, Writing

Navigating the net zero transition

DorkyMum

My latest piece for CSIRO was published recently, and I thought I’d share a link here because it’s really interesting topic.

The feature was for CSIRO’s Resourceful Magazine, which is focused on content that’s relevant to the minerals value chain, from mining exploration to metal production.

I was lucky enough to speak with some researchers from the recently established Valuing Sustainability Future Science Platform about the work they are doing mapping out potential routes to a decarbonised society – and ensuring that issues of social justice and fairness are taken into account.

I think this is a really important part of the net zero conversation which is often skimmed over in favour of a technology focus, and I’m really pleased to see the national science agency starting to work in this space. I’m excited to see what happens with the Valuing Sustainability FSP over the next couple of years.

If you’d like to read the article, take a look here: Navigating a Path to Sustainability.

 

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Photo by rafael albornoz on Unsplash

Copywriting

My latest for CSIRO

DorkyMum

Photo shows a black, green and blue image that looks like electricity emanating from a black ball. In the corner is a box that reads 'Writing for CSIRO'

CSIRO is one of my very favourite clients.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, because I feel like it’s a huge privilege helping some of Australia’s top researchers communicate their findings to a wider audience.

The briefs I receive from the Communications Managers across different CSIRO business units are always very thorough and clear, and every single piece I have written has taught me something. The breadth and depth of work that the national science agency undertakes is truly astonishing.

That diversity is on show if you take a quick look at the last three pieces I wrote for CSIRO.

The first: a look at the importance of biodiversity in water assessments in Northern Australia.

The second: proteins of the future, and how CSIRO is working with companies on precision fermentation.

Finally: an exploration of the work CSIRO is doing with a consortium of other organisations to examine the potential impacts of deep sea mining.

I have three other pieces due to be published in the coming weeks, and they are equally varied: they’re on carbon sequestration, indicator minerals for nickel exploration, and potential impacts on regional branding from gas development. Phew! I’ll look forward to sharing those with you very soon.

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Photo by Moritz Kindler on Unsplash

Reading

2021: a year in books

DorkyMum

Photo shows a woman standing in front of a brick wall, a book held in front of her face. Caption reads: 2021 a year in books ruthdawkins.net

I love reaching the end of a year and taking a moment to look back through the books I’ve read.

Starting my @ruthreadsbooks Instagram account that I use as a reading diary has been a bit of a game changer. I still keep a notebook to record everything I read each year, but having the visual prompts of the front covers is a great way to jog my memory about the books I’ve enjoyed the most. Continue reading “2021: a year in books” →

Copywriting

Copywriting for CSIRO

DorkyMum

Photo shows a black background with a pencil on the left, and the text 'Three recent pieces I've written for CSIRO'

The last few months have probably been the busiest I’ve had since starting work as a freelance writer.

I keep thinking I’m going to get a week or two away from my desk, but every time I near the end of one project, another opportunity pops into my inbox. It’s a really lovely problem to have, and I’m feeling very lucky!

Most of the writing I’ve been doing has been behind-the-scenes work for clients. Some ghostwriting, a few websites, and lots of fact sheets and brochures. Not so much editorial work recently. Continue reading “Copywriting for CSIRO” →

Copywriting

There’s gold in them hills

DorkyMum

 

My latest post for CSIRO’s Resourceful magazine went live last week.

It’s all about the work being done to accelerate mineral analysis on Australian mining sites. We’re finally rolling out technology on Earth that has been used on Mars for years!

If you’d like to read the article, head over to the Resourceful pages on CSIRO’s website.

 

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Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Copywriting, Feature Writing, freelance life

A New Year: Open for Business

DorkyMum

Decorative flat lay with the text 'Happy New Year' in the centre

You know you’ve been busy when you don’t get a chance to write a ‘Happy New Year’ blog post until the first week of March.

It feels a bit late to be posting a detailed roundup of the projects I worked on during 2020, so I think I will skip that annual tradition other than to say thank you so much to all the clients and editors who chose to work with me. Continue reading “A New Year: Open for Business” →

Copywriting, Feature Writing, freelance life, Writing

February 2020: Back to work!

DorkyMum

View of desk from above with caption 'Back to work'!

After a long and lovely summer holiday which included a trip to Hawaii for a family wedding – lucky me ­– I’m finally back at my desk.

Even after six years living in Tasmania, I haven’t quite adjusted to taking a break in January. For all my friends in the Northern Hemisphere, the turn of the year marks that moment when they start to feel energised with new ambitions and resolutions; whereas here it simply marks the start of a month off.

That means when February does roll around, and school goes back at last, it can feel like there’s an awful lot to catch up on. Continue reading “February 2020: Back to work!” →

Copywriting, Feature Writing, freelance life, Writing

My freelance year: the good, the bad and the ugly

DorkyMum

black background with caption 'My freelance year: the good, the bad and the ugly' by Ruth Dawkins

Another year just about done!

2019 has been a very busy one here, so I thought I’d finish it by sharing a quick post with you about the good, the bad, and the ugly of my year in work. I am a big fan of being transparent about the highs and lows of freelancing, so that others who are considering making that jump have a realistic sense of what it entails. Continue reading “My freelance year: the good, the bad and the ugly” →

freelance life

How to deal with disappointment as a freelancer

DorkyMum

Woman sitting alone looking out to sea, captioned 'How to deal with disappointment as a freelancer'

Disappointment is part of life when you work as a freelancer – whatever your industry.

Even within the narrow field of writing, opportunities for disappointment abound. There will always be a pitch that is rejected, an editor who doesn’t respond, a client who thinks your rates are too high, or a project that just doesn’t turn out quite right…

In order to succeed as a freelancer – and for the sake of your mental wellbeing – it’s important to accept that you will encounter disappointments both big and small. The best way of dealing with disappointment looks different for everyone, but I’m sharing some of my own strategies below.

This is a timely post, because last week I heard that I hadn’t been successful with a grant application. Even though the news was expected and didn’t come as a surprise, it was still disappointing to have it confirmed, and since then I’ve been working through some of these steps. Continue reading “How to deal with disappointment as a freelancer” →

Copywriting, freelance life

Working from home as a couple

DorkyMum

Work desk with books, pencils and glasses. Captioned 'working from home as a couple... here's how we do it.' by Ruth Dawkins

My husband and I have just survived our first year working from home together.

Actually, let me rephrase that. My husband and I have just finished a fantastic first year working from home together.

I’ve been a freelancer working from my home office for almost ten years. The amount of work I’ve taken on has increased as my son has grown older and spent more time away from me – first in childcare and then at primary school. But throughout that time I’ve had the chance to put systems and processes in place that maximise my efficiency, and I’ve developed the required discipline to ignore the piles of laundry that always need putting away and instead sit down at my desk, day after day. Continue reading “Working from home as a couple” →