When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher was ecstatic about a silly poem I wrote about clouds. I pretty much ignored her.

As a senior at East Grand Rapids High School, my creative writing teacher announced I was his favorite poet--which was both interesting and a little embarrassing. That same year, I was a featured winner at a state-wide literary competition held at Western Michigan University. I guess he knew what he was talking about.

After many shifts in majors, I finally got it right and graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Colorado. But, I eschewed my writing talents and went headfirst into marketing and brand management with some of the most successful and iconic corporations in America.

It took me another 20 years to realize my place on this planet was as a writer. Thirty years of sitting across the table with clients to hammer out their strategic communications strategy not only culled my patience, but also enhanced my creative understanding of what the final product should look like.

Though not a foodie, I was "discovered" by a senior editor at Southern Living Magazine to assume the position of dining editor at Tampa Bay Illustrated magazine, a high-end lifestyle publication owned by Palm Beach Media Group. Writing under the byline, Julie W. Martin, I subsequently published over 100 feature articles ranging from restaurant reviews, food trends, and the occasional fashion and jewelry stories-- which proves I can write about anything.

Some great companies I've worked for: Apple Computer, Citicorp, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich and the New York Times Magazine Group.

Past clients include: Lilly Pulitzer, Town Toiles, The Arizona Republic, Cox Communications, Legacy Custom Design Remodeling, Mod Mom Furniture, and as a professional resource for the Florida Virtual School’s journalism department.