"I focus on the amazing and intriguing things about a person and bring light to them, merging professional and personal attributes. My life’s work revolves around ‘life stories.’ Everyone has an amazing story and that's what's beautiful." ~Janine Folks
BIO Writing
I am an artist who tells a story on behalf of another to show their glorious attributes and triumphs in a way that inspires readers. My mission is to provide written expression of personal accomplishments, attributes, purpose, passion and aspirations uniquely through personal Short Biography, Professional BIOs, Character Sketch Essays, Feature Articles, Blurbs, Letters of Recommendation, and assistance with Obituaries.
Janine has the unique ability to reveal the light, power and strength in individuals through the written word by telling real life personal stories and testaments. BLB paints life portraits with words to project compelling positive images. Capturing and constructing narratives that shine, BLB extracts treasure from trauma, exposes accomplishment, talent, skill sets, affinities and gifts. We specialize in brilliantly uncovering awesomeness with a celebratory style of writing.
When I worked in a cemetery, reading countless epitaphs, I knew there had to be more to the life stories. We often try to sum life up into a word, a sentence or a few paragraphs, for the sake of space. The few words usually do not come close to telling the story of a life. However, when the words are chosen well, they can suffice.
Every life is significant and beauty lies within, waiting to be revealed. Cemeteries are full of untold stories, amazing stories that have the power to shape us into more improved versions of ourselves. I love discovering the untold stories and showing how beautiful they are, whether they are filled with wonder or challenges.
While life is way too rich to be summed up into a phrase on tombstone, I am passionate about capturing as much of the richness as I can and transforming it into a short bio to tell a piece of the story of your beautiful life. I am an artist, a creative, who like a painter, tries to capture the best lighting and angles to show your best profile.
Eighteen plus years of working as a Hospice Chaplain, equates to hundreds, possibly thousands, of spiritual and personal assessments under my belt. I have heard and absorbed a plethora of beautiful life stories. Even the sad and tragic stories are lined with beauty. These stories shaped me and enhanced my thinking and being and how I see humans. I cannot share those stories with you, but I will say that I have felt so privileged and honored to hear so many beautiful life stories. I wonder if I will hear yours?
Knowledge of so many stories fuels my passion to gather more beautiful life stories and help others see the beauty in their lives. Even in tragedy and adversity, we need to tell the stories. There is beauty to extract, and the hard stories can deeply inspire.
Your Story
Who are you? Why do people need or want to know?
There are many answers and a few are listed below. Even though we live in an age where we are bombarded with information, people are hungry for inspiration. If you have overcome obstacles, you are a living testament to what is possible. You can be a giver of hope through your story. Putting your story on paper makes it a tangible treasure.
Motivate yourself, introduce yourself to the world, spark the interest of lucrative clients, land your dream job, or illustrate family legacy. Your beautiful life story is important. Yes, you.
Motivational Tool
As a mom, I often find myself coaching my adult children and others. When I get phone calls from one in despair, in dire need of inspiration, one thing I like to do is remind them who they are. I help them remember their accomplishments from the past and how God delivered them from things.
It’s like the time David stood before the Giant. Before David got the courage to take on the Giant, he had to recall the time he killed a lion and a bear (1 Samuel 17:34-36). Recollection of his past experiences gave him internal credibility. In this likeness, I decided to write my daughter a BIO detailing all of her successes. I told her whenever she gets discouraged, pull it out and read it to remind her what she and her God are capable of.
Perhaps, you can use your BIO in this way as well. BIOs can be multipurpose. It is surely a tool that can remind you of your capabilities that you can refer to regularly or when you need encouragement.
Introduction/Media/PR/Feature Story
A BIO is your introduction to the world and/or your sphere of influence. A BIO should be a part of your media kit. If you are a speaker, author, receiving an award or a part of a performance, you need a BIO so that you may be properly introduced to the audience. Your BIO should shine a beautiful light on you, making you look as amazing as possible.
A BIO can be helpful at networking events, promoting your business, helping you in sales (because people like buying from likable people with human and extraordinary traits) and solidifying your brand. It’s your 60-second spiel in written form.
Get The Pen BIOs are written in Pyramid Style so that if it needs to be shortened, you simply omit the last paragraph. All pertinent information is at the top and other information follows in the order of its importance. With least important information at the bottom, you can cut the bio in half and still have what’s key.
A special abbreviated version can be constructed as well, like the ones you see on book covers that are about 5-6 sentences (For an additional charge).
Complement Your Resume
If your resume is the bait, then your BIO is the hook. The purpose of the resume is to snag an employer's attention to get you into an interview. Be prepared for the interview and make sure you ‘nail it.’ A nice BIO is something you can leave with an employer after the interview to add a nice touch. It can be a deciding factor if there’s a close call between you and another candidate. The BIO can give you an edge.
In some cases a BIO is expected, standard or requested. In other cases, it shows above and beyond effort.
Legacy Project
Much of our history about our ancestors, foremothers and forefathers have been passed down by word of mouth. We know what can happen with stories handed down this way, things get lost in translation, omitted, distorted, embellished and resemble very little of the original truth. This is why having a written BIO of family members is important. These BIOs become a part of family heirlooms to preserve family history with accuracy. A collection of them can compile a family history book and future generations will remember their roots by reading the Beautiful Life stories. BIOs can preserve historic Legacy.
Obituary Content
Finally, Get The Pen BIOs can assist with Obituary preparation and writing. When families are grieving, it can be difficult to gather information about the deceased. With emotions running high and being under strict time constraints, it is easy to leave information out accidentally. When this information is already collected, or the family has a form that can guide them through the process, covering all bases, the family can focus on being there for each other.
Other Writing Services
Do you need a Bio? Article or short speech written? Personalized poetry or greeting card content?
Most people write their own Bios because no one knows you better than you, right? While that might be true, it is refreshing to have your Bio written from a different perspective. You need a Bio that puts you in the best light possible and sells your positive attributes. Your Bio should be like a rave review written in major media publication. Your Bio should make people want to pick up the phone right away to call and hire you. Well, that’s the goal of Get the Pen when writing effective Bios. We want to compel readers to be interested in you and excited about your accomplishments.
Everyone is a genius. Everyone is amazing. Everyone has a fascinating story. It just takes the right writer to shed light on what makes you a necessary commodity. You can use your Bio for web content and other marketing materials. We even offer 5.5 x 11 glossy cards for your Bio that you can present at trade shows, networking functions and more.
Do you need a compelling article or short speech? Let us help you with that. We can create something new or critique and edit what you have already put together.
Is there a personal message you want to convey, but cannot come up with the words? We can help you with that by penning a personalized greeting or poem. We can put it on a card, a poster, a banner, frame it, or anything printable.
Please inquire by filling out and submitting the form below for more information. Inquire for pricing on other writing and content creation to fit your specific needs. Fax completed form to 336-868-1881 or email janine.folks@gmail.com.
Full Page Bio $99
Half Page/Short Bio $49
Short and Long Bio $125
Inspirational/Devotional Article (less than 250 words) $99
Inspirational/Devotional Article (300-500 words) $175
Feature Article (1500 words) $250
10 Poems/Greetings $300
Single poem $50