At an early age, Jan McBride discovered that writing came somewhat natural to her.  She especially enjoyed reading and writing poetry. At the age of seven, Jan wrote her first (unpublished) short story.  In college, Jan worked as a poetry editor on her university's anthology, The Phoenix. As a requirement for a college class project, Jan self-published a collection of poetry titled The Night Train Home.  She had several hundred copies printed, some of which she gave to a number of family members and friends. She sold the rest.


Jan earned a BA in Psychology with minors in English, Business Administration and Paralegal Studies. She has worked in the insurance and legal professions, where she continued to develop her technical writing skills. As a paralegal, Jan became proficient preparing simple to more complex legal documents.  For a list of the types of legal documents we prepare for attorneys, please go to our  services  page.  If you do not see the type of writing project you need, please submit an inquiry from our contact  page.  Our goal is to help meet your writing needs.


Aside from working in the insurance or legal professions, Jan has owned and operated a ladies clothing boutique and headed operations of a temporary employment business.  She loved developing positive relationships with her clients and customers.  At the same time, she put her writing talents to good use, preparing newsletters, sales flyers, radio advertisements, interviewing talents and resume prep skills.


In addition to her creative, legal and technical writing skills and talent, Jan also prepares ethical wills (nonlegal instruments), or assists others with the preparation of their own ethical will. To learn more about what an ethical will is, please click here.   Next, scroll down the webpage to hear more about on Talk of the Nation, a broadcast on ethical wills that is sponsored by NPR News Radio.  After you have heard this wonderful talk, please contact us.  Let Jan help you get you started on preparing your own ethical will. 


It would seem that with Jan's busy schedule she would have little time for anything else.  However, she has been a frequent community member and volunteer with a number of Santa Barbara organizations including: The Association for Women in Communications, the Institute of World Culture, Santa Barbara Outdoor Center and the Santa Barbara Jazz Society (SBJS). Jan served on the Executive Committee of the SBJS as its Secretary, and as its Legal and Bylaws Chair. For fun, she created the public Facebook group "Music Scene Santa Barbara". (If ever in the Santa Barbara area and you are looking for some terrific live jazz, or other live music performances, Music Scene Santa Barbara is a good place to start.) 


Regardless of her varied careers and interests, Jan continues to cultivate her writing, editing, proofreading and technical skills.  When she is not working on your writing project(s), or her own, you might find her volunteering or helping others. Her hobbies include reading a good book, walking the beach with her husband, listening to live jazz in her own backyard or other neighborhoods near and far, attending local theater productions, viewing good films, or simply spending quality time with her family and friends.

Let one of Writes For You associates help you get started on your next writing projects! 

Jan McBride

Meet Jan McBride