About Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

About Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

I write for national, regional, and local magazines and websites – and am living proof that dreams do come true (if you don't mind bleeding, sweating, and crying a little. Okay.....a lot!).

"The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people fail more," says life coach and author Martha Beck. When you're a writer, failure and rejection is just part of your day. Like breathing or drinking coffee or dreaming of becoming a bestselling author.

You'll find my articles in publications such as Reader's Digest Online, Woman's Day, alive, Natural Health, Spirituality & Health, and Glow. Writing about psychology, health and wellness, new research, and living big is what I do best.

My professional goals include writing for national magazines such as O and Body & Soul. I'm also gunning for two contracts for my non-fiction books about living green and women in history. My Quips & Tips for Healthy Women blog helps me stay both grounded and dreamy.

To stay motivated to write despite getting rejected every single day, I blog. Check out my Quips & Tips for Freelance Writers website if you're passionate about anything - not just writing. This blog doesn't just offer freelance writing tips, it's also about pursuing your goals, struggling with motivation, and working hard to make your dreams come true.

My degrees are in Education and Psychology from the University of Alberta, in Edmonton (in Canada). I lived and taught in Nairobi, Kenya, for three years and have explored much of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Now, I live with my husband on a small island off the coast of British Columbia.

Education & Work History

Education

University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB; 2001

B. Ed. Degree in Secondary Education

Major Language Arts, Minor Social Studies, Secondary specialization

University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB; 1994

B.A. Degree in Psychology

Major Psychology, Minor Criminology

Work History

Feature Writer and Editor for PsychologySuite101.com, Nov 2006 – present

Write and edit Psychology articles about human behavior
Update Psych blog regularly; manage and participate in Psychology discussions

Freelance Writer January 2006 – present

See "Published Works" for a full list of my published articles.
Generate, research, and write articles for magazines including Woman’s Day, Flare, Reader’s Digest, alive, Health & Wellness, cahoots, and Spirituality & Health.

Writer and Editor for the Body Image on BellaOnline, Aug 2006 – September 2007

Wrote and edited Body Image articles to encourage and inform readers
Sent weekly Body Image newsletter to subscribers
Monitored and maintained Body Image forum and email

Mentoring Coordinator, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary; Aug 2004 - June 2005

Interviewed, trained, and matched adults with children; coordinated and monitored matches
Facilitated relationships through regular follow-up, match reviews, support as needed
Developed materials, processes, and framework for pilot program Between Generations and managed the program out of four schools

Teacher, Grade 8 Language Arts & High School Journalism, Rosslyn Academy, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa; 2001 - 2004

Planned, taught, & achieved American curriculum academic standards
Met with students, parents, teachers & administration to assist student success
Facilitated Middle School Student Council executive and events

Team Leader, Eighth Grade, Rosslyn Academy, Nairobi, Kenya; 2002 - 2004

Coordinated core teachers & overall planning of projects & activities; facilitated biweekly team meetings
Organized & supervised Interdisciplinary Projects, on & off campus Service Projects & Cultural Field Studies trips
Communicated with parents & consulted with administration & other teachers regarding student care, behaviour patterns, retention probability, etc.