PUBLISHING used to be the sole domain of newspapers, magazines and other professional word-sleuths.
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Then the internet happened.
Now with facebook, twitter, instagram, blogs and numerous other online tools, everyone has their own publishing platform.
Anyone can be a writer.
But professional writer Natalie Dowling believes it is a professional skill that can't be mastered easily.
"A lot of people assume that they can write. Because the tools are available they don’t see that there are skills behind it," Ms Dowling said.
Ms Dowling has been in writing various jobs for years, mostly in Melbourne, but recently took a leap of faith to make a full-time business based out of her home in Kyneton.
Her business is called "Words on a Page".
“I was really keen to minimise travel and find a way to use my wordsmithing skills locally. The creative industries sector is really growing in the Macedon Ranges. It’s great to be a part of that and to work with members of my own community,” she said.
Ms Dowling calls herself a "wordsmith" rather than the official term of "copy writer" because it drives home the idea of writing as a craft.
She said one of her business aims was to help people get the skills they needed to be effective communicators.
"More people have the opportunity to write and say things now, that’s the key opportunity. They might not be saying it in a articulate way, not saying it as well as it could be said."
She said it was a challenge these days to stand out in the crowd.
"Loud quick voices can stand out at one point. But will they withstand the impact test? Good writing will last a while."
Ms Dowling will hold a series of writing workshops in August.
“People can choose to develop what they need or want to build experience doing. It could be web copy, an article or a brochure. I’m expecting to help people to work on grant proposals. Maybe even wedding speeches.”