If I were sitting at a kitchen table with you, I’d probably start by laughing at myself a little. I was a good enough writer in high school that I tested out of college composition and thought I could skip all of that. It turned out to be a huge mistake. I wasn’t prepared for college writing at all.

Eventually I figured that out and went back and took the second semester anyway—which was a challenge, since I hadn’t taken the first. Somewhere in the middle of that, I became very interested in the English language itself. I ended up changing my major to English and going on to graduate school, because I realized I didn’t just want to get through writing—I wanted to understand it and be able to teach it to others.

What really struck me in that second semester course was how disorganized my thinking was. I had always assumed I was a good writer, but I began to see that my writing reflected exactly how I was thinking—unclear, imprecise, and often not well structured. That realization changed everything for me.

After that, I couldn’t stop writing. I began to make a living at it as a technical writer, and then, almost by accident, someone asked me to write a review of a classical riding clinic. That opened a second path. I became an equestrian journalist, then an author, then an editor, then a blogger, and eventually a publisher.

Before I realized it, I was living in writing in two ways at once—as a profession, and as a long-standing area of study and practice. Over time, I became acutely aware of how thinking and writing are inseparable, and how clarity on the page reflects clarity of thought.

That’s what I help students develop now.

I have taught college composition at the community college level and technical and business writing in a university program. Today, I work primarily with high school and college-bound students, helping them build the structure, clarity, and independence required for college-level work.

My work is conducted one-on-one, online, and focuses on developing strong reasoning, organized thinking, and precise written expression.

If this sounds like the kind of work you or your student are looking for, you are welcome to reach out at mistral.kip@gmail.com

My compliments; you are an exceptional communicator and scholar. Never stop sharing your accounts and your research with us, because the poetry that comes through is sincere and very rare. Thank you. Giancarlo

Your beautiful articles always make me want to drive right back to the barn just to see my wonderful friend… There is nothing quite like being in tune with your horse. Please continue to write your beautiful and informative articles. Sharon

I am so profoundly grateful to have stumbled across this. Do you mind if I share a quote from this? Tara

I have just discovered a pantry full of ambrosia by stumbling upon your website! I read your blog on Munnings and I was also dismayed at the rather simplistic trope portrayal of him as the highly strung arrogant artist in “February in Summer”. It doesn’t quite marry with other accounts I have read. I can’t wait to read more of your posts. Mandy

So happy to have stumbled onto your blog – your writing is exquisite and the depth to which you explore the topics in your articles is refreshing when most material out there these days only skims the surface. Thank-you for your thoughtful approach and insight! Samantha