User:CharlieRocks

I learned to "look it up" when I was 3 years old and first learning to read. My family had a library that included reference books for countries, world history, USA history, dictionaries, thesauruses, anthropology, archeology, literature, and much more.

I organized our family library when I was 6 years old, using a Dymo Embossing label maker. Though mother wasn't happy when she found them stuck to the teak bookshelves, I was encouraged to continue my efforts to organize according to subject and author.

I've had a library card in my wallet since I've been using a wallet. I began writing when I was 9. First poetry, followed by short stories, then a mixture of the two until I was in my 20s and was asked by employers to clean up white papers, reports, and presentations.

Today, with a background in Business/Marketing/Engineering I am an avid reader, researcher and writer. I write for others in various industries on numerous topics. I also do a lot of research, some for the writing of tech papers, white papers, reports, books, and so on. Some of the research is strictly for research and used by my clients internally. Some is used for their own purposes and I don't know what the end product is.

I have been a user of Wikipedia for many, many years. Often thinking that I should jump in and become an editor. What stopped me is the possibility of the rabbit hole of research. I can't stop at just one edit! I was sure I would feel compelled to add another or research some more to be certain what I have is accurate.

Then, recently, I was asked to participate in a research project that included famous fashion designers. When it was complete, I was asked if I could add one portion to Wikipedia - Anne Klein. That is when I learned that the value of Wikipedia is the transparency. And that is why I'm making sure it is clear, here, that any edits I recommend or make to a page about Anne Klein is because I found the information during a research project. I don't accept payment to "be a Wikipedia editor". Nor will I. I think it takes away from the trust that Wikipedia has managed to build with the user over the years.

I am open to learning to be a better researcher, writer, and now editor here. I welcome and appreciate feedback and ask that any criticisms be in the form of feedback ... otherwise I tend to ignore it as based on feelings not facts. Engagement is the root of all learning and I'm looking forward to interesting conversations, guidance from those who know more than I, and learning something new every day. CharlieRocks (talk) 19:57, 3 February 2020 (UTC)