Here’s Alice!
Introduction
A CALLING: Writing has been a big part of my life ever since I wrote one-page, one-paragraph stories as a grade-schooler. I’ve wanted to be a writer ever since and can’t imagine life without words.
After college, I edited, and wrote for, professional organization and company newsletters.
I spent my career as a retirement plan professional, often writing and giving employee presentations. While working for Sutter Health in Sacramento, California, as an analyst and technical writer, I specialized in white papers and brochures, including Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs).
I had dreams of being a published author when I was growing up, a dream that’s come true. My article Loren Janes: A Stuntman’s Stuntman about legendary Hollywood stuntman Loren Janes was published in August 2014 on the Lone Pine, California, Film Festival website; Cultivating America’s Gardens was published in the July/August 2017 edition of the DAR’s American Spirit.
Next were two feature articles in American History: the story of 19th-century pioneer landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing, Andrew Jackson Downing: America’s Original Designing Man in its December 2019 issue followed in April 2021 by the story of how Quakers started the American abolitionist movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, Fearless Radicals Turned the Quakers from Advocates of Slavery to Fervent Abolitionists.
My passion is to make history come alive, whether its Antebellum American or you family’s.
HISTORY SLEUTH: I’ve been fascinated by history since I was in junior high school, the older the era the better. I attended Southern Methodist University where I earned a master’s degree in Medieval Art History, drawn to the program as a way of learning the history and art of the time, discovering a medieval world I hadn’t known.
I love research. My white papers required interesting research into different solutions for retirement plans; my M.A. thesis involved research into the making of 12th-century manuscripts. And my articles have needed not only research, but interviewing sources as well.
GHOSTWRITER: Turning history into a story isn’t about recording facts; it’s about fashioning a story that feels alive. That’s my passion. As a ghostwriter, I specialize in capturing the legacy of a loved one, preserving their stories, bringing historical research to life, and weaving words into lasting treasures.
Growing up, I thought I came from a small family, envying classmates who attended large family reunions. Then I learned my grandmother was one of nine children. This discovery ignited my passion for diving into family history, unearthing hidden stories.
Your ancestors had experiences worth remembering, too. Let’s collaborate and capture them in a way that makes their history personal, meaningful, and real. Let’s work together to create a narrative that resonates.
A BIT ABOUT ME: A self-proclaimed history buff, I unwind watching Law & Order reruns, devouring mystery, crime, and sci-fi novels, and enjoying a game of golf. In my dream world? I’m playing the accordion like Myron Floren.
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
M.A. Medieval Art History
Activities and societies: Graduate Assistant, SMU Professor; Graduate Assistant, SMU-In-Oxford Summer Program, Haakon Research Fellow
I’ve loved history since high school, but didn’t know much about art. Then I met a couple who were art history professors at SMU who introduced me to art and its history. So, I dipped my toes in the water at a local junior college, taking art appreciation and an art history class. I was hooked!
I decided to attend SMU where I fell in love with medieval manuscripts. I wrote my M.A. thesis on the 12th century Dover Bible, comparing it to other English and Continental 12th century Great Bibles. I spent a summer in England and France as a Graduate Assistant in the SMU-In-Oxford program and a Haakon Fellow.
Academy of Ghostwriting, 0nline
Certificate in Professional Ghostwriting
American Writers and Artists Institute, Delray Beach, Florida (online)
B2B Copywriting
University of California-Davis, Davis, California
Certificate in Non-Fiction Writing
Berean International, Dallas, Texas
B.A. Liberal Arts
Experience
History Sleuth Ghostwriter
The Villages, FL
2023-Present
I love history and I love to research, a match made even more enjoyable by a love of words. Sleuthing is what it’s really about, though. Digging into times past to find those hidden nuggets about people and their lives is what makes history come alive. I write mainly about Antebellum American history, but am interested in other eras as well.
I also collaborate with individuals to compile and bring their ancestor’s experiences to life in a keepsake legacy book.
My eclectic tastes include 12th-century English and continental history and its art. Has anyone seen my deerstalker hat or magnifying glass lying around? 🔎 🕵️♂️
Retirement Plan Writer
RetireSmart Copywriting, The Villages, FL
2015-Present
I partner with retirement plan TPA and advisors to help them with:
➤Case Studies that tell the stories of happy customers and how they helped them succeed
➤White Papers that help their clients or prospects understand an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision
➤Articles and Blogs that discuss events and legislation they and the industry were concerned about
An expert researcher, analyst, and writer, I know how to make content sing. I speak ERISA. I translate it so the ordinary person can understand it.
Magazine Features Writer
HistoryNet, Freelance
2017-2021
My 3,000-word feature article, “America’s Designing Man” about 19th-century pioneer landscape architect Andrew Jackson Downing, was published in the December 2019 edition of American History magazine. My second article, “Quaker Awakening” about how Quaker activists pushed and pulled 17th century Quakers to abolish slavery within their own ranks, was published in its April 2021 issue.
Retirement Benefits Analyst/Technical Writer
Sutter Health, Sacramento, CA
1999-2012
My primary role was as the technical writer for my team where I wrote:
➤White papers which were used for presentations to upper management
➤Employee communications which helped employees make informed decisions about their pension benefits
➤Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) which informed employees in plain English plan provisions
I was also a liaison with ERISA attorneys, consultants, and EBP auditors in addition to system plan administrators to help ensure all the Sutter Health plans stayed in compliance with government rules and regulations. I worked with a variety of pension and retirement plans across multiple Sutter Health campuses including:
►401(k) match, deferral only, and Safe Harbor
►403(b) ERISA and deferral only
►Defined benefit
►Cash balance
Credentials
Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans & Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Case Study Mastery & Certification, American Writers & Artists Institute, Casey Hibbard, Instructor
Content Specialist Certification, American Writers & Artists Institute, Russ Henneberry, Instructor
White Paper Mentorship, American Writers & Artists Institute, “That White Paper Guy” Gordon Graham, Instructor
Awards
Haakon Research Fellow, Southern Methodist University
Case Study Spec Award, American Writers and Artists Institute
Professional Affiliations
International Society of CEBS
Professional Writers’ Alliance
National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
LET’S TALK WRITING
Need something written? Let’s have a virtual coffee chat.
I can be reached at:
📅 https://calendly.com/casadebear/getting-to-know-you
☎ 916-284-1080 for call or text
Can’t wait to meet you! Cheers!