This week we’re switching things up a bit and highlighting Stacy 1the efforts of one of our own Content Runner team members. Editor, Stacy Rost, has been with Content Runner since its inception and has had a major role in recruiting Writers; applying feedback given from Writers to improve features offered by our platform and assisting with the development of the overall design of the website. While you can find her mini-biography on the Content Runner About Us page, you can continue reading to get an in-depth look at Stacy and find out what drivers her passion for Pinterest.

Tell us about yourself.
Hi guys! My name is Stacy and I’m an editor for Content Runner. I’m a Seattle-area native (technically, a south Seattle-area native. SeaTac is a real place!) and graduate of the University of Washington.

What made you decide to choose Content Runner?
I’ve been with our company for about 2 years now, and was excited to be part of the Content Runner team. I love the idea of an open marketplace where writers and clients can work together. As a former freelance writer (and someone who gets bored easily) I would’ve loved an opportunity to write about a million different topics for several companies.

What do you love about editing? What do you love about writing?
No matter how much you think you know about language and grammar, if you’re an editor, you’re learning new things every day. It’s one of the best ways to make yourself a better reader and writer!

There are so many things I love about writing! I love that writing can take you away from the things that get you down, but also help you cope with them. I think it’s incredibly cathartic in that sense. Writing can also be fun: one of my favorite things to do in high school and college was to practice writing in the style of another author. We would be given a very toneless and bland paragraph, and then rewrite it as if we were F. Scott Fitzgerald, Junot Diaz, Toni Morrison, Shakespeare, Sherman Alexie, Chuck Palahniuk, or anyone else whose work we admired. It’s such a great way to hone your writing skills without feeling self-conscious about your work, since you’re kind of wearing another writer’s “mask.” But I think my favorite thing about writing is that it can mean different things to different people; some people write to make an important message resonate with others, some people write to make people laugh, some people write about their favorite sports stars or actors, some people write to bring their imaginary worlds to life, and some people just write just because they love doing it. Whether you’re writing to provide a 500 word piece of content to someone or you’re starting the next great novel, I think it’s one of the best ways to keep learning and growing.

When you aren’t editing content for Content Runner, what do you do in your spare time?
I’m pretty down to earth (is lazy the wrong word here?) but always like to try new things. So, while I spend a lot of time watching my favorite TV shows, shopping, browsing the web (Pinterest is ruining my life!) and dining out with friends, I really enjoy going to the occasional concert or signing up for fun events. I also enjoy reading Martellus Bennett’s tweets.

How did you get into editing?
I was an English major in college, where revision was key for every single assignment. I enjoy combing through my own work, and love that there are always ways to improve an article. Working with great writers is also fun 🙂

Stacy 2

Fun Fact: Stacy attended Equestrian Camp the summer of her 5th grade year.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
I’m dying to go to the Maldives (a place I didn’t actually know about  until recently. Obviously geography is my worst trivia category). Other than that, I’ve always wanted to see the UK. I haven’t traveled much at all, and those places seem really exciting and beautiful. You can also day drink there.

If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be?
I’m going to be the boring person that says pizza. But I can’t help it. Pizza is amazing. Also all of the Oreos, in every flavor.

If you weren’t an editor, what would you be?
If I weren’t an editor, I’d love to work in sports or entertainment. I think it would be really fun! I love meeting new people and hearing the sound of my own voice. I also love sports and pop culture, so it’s the best of both worlds.

What is your biggest grammatical pet peeve?
I make mistakes all the time (including the ones I’m about to list) but that doesn’t mean grammatical mistakes don’t drive me crazy. I think one that bothers me most is incorrect usage of “you’re” vs. “your,” or, “their” vs. “there” vs. “they’re.” I also despise repetitiveness or lazy writing. For instance, staring every single sentence or paragraph with “these days…” or other generic transitions.

What is your favorite type of article/subject to review?
I enjoy reviewing articles about things I’m already interested in, since it makes my job easier. So articles about education, sports or fashion are always favorites.