I am a compost-obsessed organic gardener who loves to nurture veggies, stories and children. Having grown up without a family, I keep my beautiful wife and four children close. So close that we're expecting number five at the end of May, 2008!

I've recently begun to understand some of my motivations in life and how they are connected to my youth. Forgiveness is becoming an important part of my life as I explore the worlds that words open up.

Today, I hunger. I hunger for excellence, commitment to worship, dedicated citizenship, and the gift of storytelling. I plan to never be fully sated.

In my working life, I've been there and done that. From 1997 until 2007 I worked as a teacher of languages, both English and Portuguese. I taught English in Japan, Brazil, Taiwan and in several schools in the United States.

However, since 2004, I have been actively pursuing a freelance career in writing. My experience in English composition is vast and includes over two years of teaching intensive English Writing classes. Thus, my knowledge of the language and experience with editing and proofreading is profound.

In 2007 I left off teaching to be able to handle the large amount of time I needed to devote to my freelance writing.

Here is what I have done with writing to date:
*Completed a large fantasy novel and am currently revising it for publication.

*Completed a science fiction novel which is currently under contract for publication in 2009.

*Contributed to several ESL/EFL websites around the world.

*Edited and proofread, as well as advised on revision, upwards of 200 high-school level students' essays.

*Established and currently maintain a client base for my article writing, SEO, editing, proofreading and web copy writing services.

*Regular contributor to the online magazine published by UHEA (Utah Home Educator's Association).

*Staff writer for a local financial guidance company. Responsibilities include: web copy, ad copy, radio ad scripts, manual writing and revision, brochure creation.

On a personal note, I have had an enjoyable and exciting life. I was born and raised in a small, nomadic cult, leaving it when I was seventeen years old. Later I found my truth and I served a two-year mission for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to Brazil from 1994-1996.

I consult, freelance, comment on politics and pop culture and read for learning and pleasure. If you like something I wrote, have comments or questions, want to give me a book contract, or need to utilize some of my skills, feel free to contact me.

jared.n.garrett@gmail.com

Carpe somnium!

My passion is ...

opening the pandora's box that is word-smithing

I know too much about ...

being an idiot

My parents always told me ...

I didn't grow up with them.

My childhood ambition ...

was to be a superhero

My favorite memory ...

On my knees. At an altar. Hand in hand.

Why I write ...

Ego sum scriptor. Scribo est somnium meum. I hope that Latin is correct. I am a writer. Writing is my dream. Carpe somnium!

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Reading a lot of W.E.B. Griffin and YA fiction, rented movies- Just watched "To Live", listening to modern and old rock

My first job ...

Mowing lawns

My best moment ...

When I left Taiwan a year early for my family.

My inspiration ...

God, family, my garden, the world in all of its glory and degradation.

Politics, News & Issues > Presidential Elections 2008 US elections 2008: Why Ron Paul's supporters should still vote for him

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With the nominees for both major American political parties chosen for all intents and purposes, it would seem that the 2008 Presidential Election has clarified. Barack Obama has essentially tied up the nomination for the Democratic Party and John McCain has been the presumptive Republican nominee for months. Now all we have to do is wait, watch debates, do our research and then vote according to conscience and what we feel is right for the country, because of course in this time where real change needs to happen, we're not going to simply vote based solely on party loyalty.

But is ever...

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