Let’s make your complex ideas clear!
Hello! I’m Lisa.
I’m the founder and principal consultant at Scribe Technical. As an urban planner skilled in technical communications, I help write and edit the documents that professionals prepare every day.
I help other urban experts tell their story to decision makers, partners, and the public – for clarity, understanding, and impact.
I specialize in editing the reports, plans, proposals, studies, and the many other documents that community- and city-builders need.
It’s a unique combination in Canada, and beyond!
I’m on a mission to make your writing clear, persuasive, and most of all, effective.
An editor who understands communities and cities
Clear
I edit for accuracy and consistency to build greater understanding of your project and help you get the buy-in you need to move your project forward.
Persuasive
I assess, analyze, and refine your documents for your intended audience and purpose – whether you want to win hearts, minds, or both.
Effective
I create positive, action-oriented, polished documents so you can meet your project objectives – and build your reputation as a subject matter expert.
Your civic clarity partner
I do more than just edit your documents! I build individual and team capacity by providing:
- Writing guides for new and seasoned professionals and tools for organizations of all kinds.
- Training webinars for groups of all sizes and courses for small groups.
Technical skills alone will only get you so far!
As your editor, I
- evaluate your drafts,
- transform them with clear, understandable, actionable language,
- edit them for precision and readability, and
- add the final polish that helps you impress your readers and build credibility as a trusted expert.
We all need a boost from time to time
Professionals in planning, engineering, architecture, design, and related fields recognize the need to tell a compelling story, even about the most complex subjects, to get the results they’ve been working for – often for months.
As your editing partner, my services include helping you
- figure out who your main reader really is
- tell a clear, compelling story, with strategic insight
- be competitive when the big, exciting projects are at stake
- showcase your subject matter expertise
- improve internal workflows (we all want to wrap up by version 17!)
- connect with, and build support from, decision-makers, project partners, and the public
- influence how our communities work, grow, and develop – today and over the long term.
I’m proud that our clients come back to us
“In my years as a publisher and an urban planner, I have never come across an expert who understands ‘plannerese’ in urban planning and is able to translate it into ‘plain language’ as much as Lisa Orchard ! As part of our London Zoning By-law review team, and as our back-up editor at NRU Publishing, I’ve had the opportunity to see her apply her keen eye to detail, strategic advice and understanding, and top-notch editing skills to a number of projects. She is collegial and always delivers on what’s promised. I recommend her for any organization that wants to deliver clear, accurate, professional reports and plans.”
— Ian Graham, Publisher at NRU Publishing & Director at R.E. Millward + Associates Ltd.
“Contrary to some of my previous experiences, Scribe was able to upgrade my project without leaving me with the sense that I was losing control of its direction. Scribe was willing to put up with my own suggestions and comments, and got back to me promptly with each solution or change… I would recommend Scribe to others. In my business, I deal with lots of other small businesses with similar needs, and I will definitely be passing Scribe’s contact info!”
— Jeremy Hudspith, South Light Design/Build
“Lisa is the technical writer you want on your team. She is a great listener and a great writer and you can rest assured that the deliverable is top notch. She is also an incredibly pleasant person to work with.”
— Naama Blonder, Smart Density
Let’s connect!
Send me a message at [email protected] or use the contact form below.