Portfolio

Here’s a glimpse into my work:

  • Books: Two adult fiction books in English, a Dutch children’s book, and a fully illustrated picture book (Dutch).

  • Designs: Flyers, web layouts, and illustrations.

  • Creative Projects: Videos, song lyrics, and more.

This is just a sample of what I’ve created. Want to see something specific? Just ask!

Short Story #1

The last letter

In the dusty attic of a weathered brick house, tucked between a broken rocking chair and a box of forgotten vinyl records, lies a single envelope. It wasn’t the sort of thing that demanded attention—faded, unsealed, stained with age. But it caught the eye of a lonely woman with a quiet instinct for things left behind.

She opened the envelope.

Inside was a letter, handwritten in elegant, looping cursive. The ink had faded, but the emotion pressed into the paper still lingered. At the top, in careful strokes, it read: “To my faded love.”

The letter told the story of a woman who had once lived in that very house—five centuries ago, during a time of war. Her great love had vanished without a trace, swallowed by conflict or fate. Each day that followed, she wrote him a letter—without an address, without expectation of a reply—only hope. Hope that her faded love would be remembered—that her memory of him would never slip away into the shadows, as her love once did. This was the last letter she ever wrote. Somehow, it had endured, resting all these years on the attic floor.

The woman, deeply moved, made it her mission to trace the writer’s family. What began as a forgotten letter became a bridge between centuries—a quiet message echoing through time:

You were loved. You were remembered.

Short story #2

The Quiet Garden

In the heart of the city, behind a crumbling brick wall, lies a garden that no one spoke of anymore. It wasn’t much to look at overgrown weeds tangled with wildflowers, a rusty bench half-swallowed by ivy but to Ivy, it was a sanctuary.

Every morning before the world woke, she slips through the narrow opening in the gate and sits beneath the old oak tree. Here, the noise of honking cars and shouting vendors fades into a soft hum. She closes her eyes and listens, birds, the wind, the faint rustle of leaves. It was the quiet she had been chasing all her life.

One day, she found a small, carved stone beneath the bench. It read simply: “For those who listen.” Ivy held the stone in her palm and smiled. Perhaps the garden was not just a place but a message reminding her that sometimes, the most important things are heard in silence.

Blog Article #1

How to Write Engaging Content for Small Businesses 

In today's digital world, content isn't just helpful it's essential. No matter what business you're in, your ability to communicate clearly and connect meaningfully with your audience can make or break your success. 

But let’s be honest: creating engaging content can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling the day-to-day tasks of running your business.

The good news? You don’t need to be a professional copywriter to create effective content. Below are five simple yet powerful tips that can help you craft content that captures attention and keep it.

1. Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is the foundation of effective content. Think about their needs, pain points, and goals. What kind of tone would resonate with them—professional and informative, or casual and friendly? Are they looking for expert advice, quick solutions, or inspiration?

Tips:

  • Create a basic customer persona (age, job, interests, challenges).

  • Read reviews or feedback from your customers to understand what they value.

  • Mirror their language in your content to build connection and trust.

2. Be Clear and Concise

In the age of endless scrolling, most people don’t read they skim. Your content needs to deliver value quickly.

Tips:

  • Stick to one idea per paragraph.

  • Use active voice instead of passive.

  • Cut unnecessary words.

Instead of:

“In order to achieve better visibility for your website, it is recommended that one should optimize content using relevant keywords.”

Try:

“To boost visibility, use relevant keywords in your content.”

3. Tell a Story

Facts tell. Stories sell.

Stories make your content memorable and relatable. They give personality to your brand and help customers emotionally invest in what you do. Even simple stories like how your business started or a moment when you helped a customer can create strong connections.

Ideas to try:

  • Share a customer success story (with permission).

  • Tell the origin story of your business.

  • Describe a behind-the-scenes moment or lesson learned.

4. Use a Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Don’t leave your readers wondering what to do next. A good CTA guides them to the next step in their journey with your business.

Whether you want them to book a call, subscribe to your newsletter, or browse your products, your CTA should be clear, compelling, and easy to find.

Examples of effective CTAs:

  • “Get your free quote today.”

  • “Download the guide.”

  • “Book your first session—no strings attached.”

Pro Tip: Place your CTA at the end of your content and again mid-way through longer pieces.

5. Proofread and Polish

Even the best ideas can be lost in a sea of typos, confusing sentences, or broken formatting. Before you publish anything, take a few extra minutes to proofread and polish your content.

Tips:

  • Read your content out loud to catch awkward phrasing.

  • Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway App to check for clarity and grammar.

  • Ask someone you trust to review your work for a second opinion.

Final Thoughts: Build Trust, Build Business

Content isn't just about marketing—it's about building relationships. When your content is thoughtful, helpful, and genuine, people notice. 

So whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve your online presence, these five tips will help you create content that speaks clearly, connects emotionally, and moves your audience to action.

Need help creating or editing content for your business? I offer writing and translation services tailored to your voice and your goals. Let’s connect.

Blog Article #2

Why Hiring a Human Translator Still Matters in the Age of AI

In a world where machine translation tools like Google Translate and chatgpt are just a click away, it’s fair to ask: why hire a human translator?

The answer lies in what machines still can’t fully replicate—nuance, culture, and context. A human translator doesn’t just convert words from one language to another. They understand tone, intention, idioms, and cultural references. They know when a phrase needs to be adapted rather than translated literally, and they spot subtle errors or inconsistencies that machines often miss.

If you’re translating legal documents, marketing materials, websites, or books anything where accuracy and tone matter, a professional human translator offers peace of mind and quality that no algorithm can yet guarantee.

As someone experienced in law, communication, business, and creative writing, I bring both linguistic and contextual expertise to every translation. Human writers strive to translate not just words, but to translate meaning.

Translation example #1

The impact of translation on cross-cultural communication

Translation plays a central role in facilitating communication between cultures. It is not merely a linguistic process, but a cultural one requiring the translator to interpret not only words, but interprets meanings, values and the contexts of a text. A literal translation may preserve grammatical accuracy while failing to convey the speaker’s intent or tone. For this reason, skilled translators act as cultural mediators, adapting language to fit the expectations of the target audience.

Furthermore, translation affects how texts are received and understood. In literature, for instance, the translator's stylistic choices can influence how a character is perceived or how humor is interpreted. In business, a mistranslation in a marketing campaign can lead to reputational damage. Thus, accurate and culturally sensitive translation is not a luxury it is a necessity in an increasingly globalized world.

Training programs in translation studies now emphasize intercultural competence alongside linguistic proficiency, recognizing that translators must possess not only fluency in the languages they speak, but also empathy, adaptability and cultural knowledge. As translation using AI becomes more prevalent, the human ability to understand nuance and context will remain a critical asset in preserving the integrity of any form of communication.

De invloed van vertaling op interculturele communicatie

Vertaling speelt een centrale rol in het bevorderen van communicatie tussen culturen. Het is niet slechts een taalkundig proces, maar ook een cultureel proces waarbij de vertaler niet alleen woorden vertaalt, maar ook betekenissen, waarden en de context van een tekst interpreteert. Een letterlijke vertaling kan grammaticaal correct zijn, maar de intentie of toon van de spreker volledig missen. Daarom fungeren bekwame vertalers als culturele bemiddelaars: zij passen de taal aan de verwachtingen van het doelpubliek aan.

Bovendien beïnvloedt vertaling hoe teksten worden ontvangen en geïnterpreteerd. In de literatuur kunnen de stilistische keuzes van de vertaler bepalen hoe een personage wordt ervaren of hoe humor wordt opgevat. In het bedrijfsleven kan een foutieve vertaling in een marketingcampagne leiden tot imagoschade . Een nauwkeurige en cultureel gevoelige vertaling is daarom geen luxe, maar een noodzaak in een steeds verder geglobaliseerde wereld.

Opleidingen binnen de vertaalkunde leggen tegenwoordig de nadruk op interculturele competentie naast taalkundige vaardigheden. Ze erkennen dat vertalers niet alleen vloeiend moeten zijn in de talen die zij spreken, maar ook in het bezit moeten zijn van empathie, flexibiliteit en culturele kennis. Naarmate vertaling via AI toeneemt, blijft het menselijke vermogen om nuance en context te begrijpen een onmisbare factor in het waarborgen van de kwaliteit van elke vorm van communicatie.

Translation example #2

Schrijfvaardigheid als professionele vaardigheid in de 21e eeuw

In een tijd waarin digitale communicatie de norm is geworden, wordt schrijfvaardigheid steeds belangrijker in uiteenlopende professionele contexten. Of het nu gaat om het schrijven van een e-mail, een beleidsnota of een wervende tekst: het vermogen om helder, overtuigend en doelgericht te schrijven is essentieel voor succes. Toch wordt schrijfvaardigheid nog vaak gezien als een vanzelfsprekende vaardigheid, eerder aangeleerd in het onderwijs dan actief ontwikkeld op de werkvloer.

Onderzoek toont echter aan dat in effectieve teksten geschreven door ervaren schrijvers vaak bewuste keuzes worden gemaakt in toon, structuur en stijl, aangepast aan het beoogde publiek. Dit geldt zowel voor communicatie binnen de organisatie als voor externe communicatie, bijvoorbeeld richting klanten, stakeholders of het generieke publiek. Training in professionele schrijfvaardigheid draagt bij aan duidelijkere communicatie en efficiëntere samenwerking.

Er is bovendien een groeiende vraag naar medewerkers die complexe informatie kunnen vertalen naar toegankelijke teksten voor diverse doelgroepen. In dat opzicht wordt schrijven ook een vorm van vertalen, niet van taal naar taal, maar van vaktaal naar begrijpelijke taal. Deze vaardigheid zal in de toekomst alleen maar belangrijker worden, naarmate organisaties transparanter, toegankelijker en publieksgerichter moeten opereren.

Writing as a Professional Skill in the 21st Century

In an era where digital communication has become the norm, writing is an increasingly vital skill across a range of professional settings. Whether it's crafting an email, a policy memo, or a persuasive text, the ability to write clearly, convincingly, and with purpose is essential for success. Yet writing is still often treated as a basic, taken-for-granted skill, something learned in school rather than actively developed in the workplace.

However, research shows that effective texts written by experienced writers often contain conscious choices regarding tone, structure, and style, tailored to their intended audience. This applies to both internal communication as well as external interactions, such as with clients, stakeholders, or the general public. Training in professional writing contributes to clearer messaging and more efficient collaboration.

Moreover, there is a growing demand for professionals who can translate complex information into accessible language for diverse audiences. In this sense, writing becomes a form of translation, not between languages, but from technical jargon into plain language. This skill is becoming increasingly essential as organizations are expected to operate with greater transparency, accessibility, and public engagement.

Have questions or want to collaborate on content?


If you’ve enjoyed reading my articles and think I could help with your content strategy or writing, I’d be happy to chat.

Drop me a line. I respond personally and promptly.

 

Contactinformation:

Totus2023BusinessAssistance@gmail.com