Hello all! My name is Lara McKusky. “LaLa” is a childhood nickname, given to me by my mother and my aunt. When trying to come up with a name for my blog, lo these many years ago, LaLa Land just fit. Here is a bit about me:
I am a single mom with 3 children. I am the Head Digital Gardener {or, more commonly known, the Marketing Director} for an environmental construction company that also produces its own native plants and has a retail location. I am also working on some fiction writing and my first art collection of paper art in shadowboxes, with a hefty list of collections I’d like to work on in the future. I am also planning to teach creative classes to both children and adults, with a non-profit, if I can get any of my classes to fill! (I’m trying so hard to bring money in!! What is the deal?!) Lastly, I am a student in an herbalism apprenticeship program. I will be a clinical herbalist when I am have completed the two year program.
WRITING EXPERIENCE:
I have had a personal blog post, “How ‘The Little Engine that Could’ Perpetuates Gender Stereotypes” catch the attention of an NPR writer. She attempted to contact me and Facebook’s brand new (at the time) sorting action for messages caused us to miss each other. I could have been interviewed for the podcast All Things Considered. Their article was entitled “In ‘Little Engine That Could,’ Some See An Early Feminist Hero.“
Technorati.com:
While this website is now defunct, I wrote for them several years ago, gaining experience working in a fast-paced virtual newsroom. Every day I selected from a list of topics sent out to me via email and worked with an editor. I also was able to interview people, which was pretty exciting. Here are just some of the titles of articles that I wrote for Technorati:
Too Few Women Could Lead to Big Trouble in China
Gender Gap in Asia, Part 2: China’s Delusions
Still a Pay Gap Between Men and Women
Dark Horse Unveils Digital Comics
Comixology Powerhouse Behind Digital Comics
Galliano’s Anti-Semitic Issues Get Him Dismissed from Dior
Today’s Mama–York, PA the Parenting Column:
I was a stay at home mom at the time and this was my first foray into branching out and writing for others. Some articles I wrote for Today’s Mama–York included:
Getting Kids to Bed the Quick and Painless Way
Comics to the Rescue! Downloadable Comics4Kids
Parenting 101: 10 Basics for Parents, New or Otherwise!
FreshFiction.com:
This writing work was hardly work when I got free books in exchange! This was another platform that allowed me to write and gain experience working with an editor.
Here is the link for my (ancient) profile page! See all 15 reviews I did for FreshFiction before my personal life made it impossible to continue.
Ray Access:
I was most recently a ghost blog writer for Ray Access where I wrote about all manner of things, from medical articles to a fitness newsletter article with a recipe to articles on real estate. Due to the nature of being a ghost writer, I do not have bylines I can link to, however I can give you a list of titles I wrote under:
Teeth Bonding How To Know When To Replace A Sewer Line
Water Heater Inspections Back Surgery Recovery
Degenerative Disc Disease Frozen Shoulder
Arrhythmia Atrial Fibrillation
Palpitations Tachycardia
Acne and Acne Treatment Sinus Infection
Throat Infection Blepharitis
Glaucoma Ingrown Eyelashes
Keratoconus Achilles Heel and Running
Home Inspection How Much Home Can You Afford?
IRS Payment Plan IRS Innocent Spouse
Qualified Domestic Trust Offer in Compromise
WRITING EDUCATION
I am a Writer’s Support Scholarship winner and graduate of The Brainery: Online Speculative Fiction Writing + Resources, where I took a course in Short Fiction, workshop-style.
I am a scholarship winner and attendee of the Writer Unboxed’s Un-Conference, 2016 for writing fiction.
OTHER EXPERIENCES WITH WRITING & PUBLISHING:
I am a
Binder. (I could tell you what that means, but then I’d have to kill ya.)
I am a Diana Gabaldon Fan Ambassador.
I was a book reviewer for several years and received books from St. Martin’s Press, Harper Collins, and Random House. I worked with a small PR firm called PR by the Book to review all sorts of indie books.
CLASSIC EDUCATION:
An Associate’s degree from Methodist University {formerly Methodist College} in General Studies. Honors Seminar student, where we focused on exploring Greek and Roman writings.
A dual Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies from Notre Dame of MD University {formerly College of Notre Dame of MD}. Graduated magna cum laude. Inducted into two honors societies.
Forty additional credits in an accelerated program through the Art Institute of Pittsburgh–Online Division towards a degree in Graphic Design.
WORK EXPERIENCE
I have worked with children in all capacities {pick one: babysitter, camp counselor, nanny, private tutor, child care group leader, Sunday School teacher, student teacher, substitute teacher, etc.} in addition to having my ed degree, so I have fairly strong opinions about raising children, as a result. I’d apologize, but I’m not really sorry.
Besides caring for children, I have been an active graphic designer for over 20 years. I have a separate website for that portfolio, which is Siostra Artistry & Obrys Magic. As a designer, I have worked as a freelancer, a jack of all trades while working for others, and now as a sticker designer with my own shop. I can now say I have website design and building experience, using WordPress mostly but I do have experience with Blogger and Weebly as well. I’ve dabbled in some Drupal. I am tech savvy, so picking up new dashboards is really no problem.
Other work falls under the headings of library or administrative assistant. Often, library work, education and design work have all converged, which is heaven for me! Other “trades” I have experience in include marketing, social media coordination, event coordination, subcommittee head, retail and direct sales experience, brand and print designer.
PERSONAL TIDBITS:
What do I do when I’m not taking care of my kids, working, designing, or writing?
I love pop culture. I have worked in a comic book store, I love the comic book world and all things geeky and nerdy. I have adored working in libraries!
I am a traditionally trained artist as well as self-taught in many other aspects of creating works. I have started a shadowbox series which is super slow going due to not having a real space to work in my tiny townhouse, but I have loads of ideas for various shadowboxes collections, which I plan on carrying out once I have a dedicated creating space.
I am also a nurturer and a nester that loves cooking, straightening up my abode (honestly? I’m a neat-freak), snuggling down with blankets and books, movies and popcorn. I garden, walk and try to do yoga. I just learned how to knit, which I adore, and I’m eyeing up crocheting. Somehow, I am an 18th century woman trapped in a feminist’s body. I can’t figure it out. You shouldn’t hurt your brain trying to either.
WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR…
If you’ve read this far, bless your little heart!
For a more comprehensive list of skills and experiences, please track me down on LinkedIn.
I look forward to making brilliant new connections and doing great work with amazing people!
A note on affiliate sales and ads on this blog: as a single mom, I’m trying to make ends meet, every month, in a variety of ways. I have carefully selected brands that I think align with the look, feel and subject manner of LaLa Land. My highest commission is 20% but the average is 10%, through Share a Sale. In the spirit of honesty and transparency, I have yet to make any money off of my affiliate links. Additionally, I am an Amazon Affiliate. If you enjoy reading my blog, please consider using my Amazon Affiliate links. It is an easy way to give back if you’re already ordering something on Amazon. Many thanks!
{Last updated: December 29, 2018.}