Meet the Members: Kendra Futcher

Kicking off 2020 with Kendra! Copywriter extraordinaire Kendra works with a mix of people, brands, organisations and businesses to help them write brilliant words that capture who they are, what they do and why they do it. Working with organisations such as MADE.com, Medik8 and our very own Fiasco Design.

Kendra joined Gather Round wanting to be part of a creative community – for inspiration – collaboration and camaraderie, as it turns out she brings all of that to us! We chat colour, creative processes and copywriting advice.

Can you tell us what you do and what an average work day looks like?

I’m juggling quite a few plates so days tend not to be ‘average’! I usually start with the school run followed by a quick dog walk or yoga class! My working day tends to start around 10am when I have to quickly get my head into a client brief straight away before Olive starts stalking me for another walk around 5pm.

Anything you’re working on at the moment that’s exciting you?

I’m currently working with Bristol agency, 500 More on tone of voice/copy for a healthcare app developed by a UK-based heart surgeon. It’s been hugely humbling working with someone that changes lives on a daily basis on a piece of communication that has the potential to make a real difference to people’s lives. I’ve just pitched for an exciting project with my agency friend, Bellow so might be off to Toronto in February if that comes off. Fingers crossed.

What are you reading/watching at the moment?

I just finished After the End by Clare Mackintosh which was both harrowing and full of hope. It’s about two parents facing a horrific situation and the impact this has on their relationship, not especially light reading! Next on my list is Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I’m especially interested in how it explores racial issues in modern America.

I love Queer Eye in Japan! I would like Jonathan Van Ness to brief me on my work every morning and spend the day making amusing quips to humour me! I’m currently into Jane the Virgin on Netflix – love the mix of Mexican telenovela pastiche and dark humour.

What kit/tools can you not live without?

Uni Pin fine line pen, my notebook, MacBook Air, yoga mat, good coffee, my dog Olive, resilience, a sense of humour!

What excites you most about the creative process?

I enjoy the iterative nature of writing. For me it’s all about the edit – I tend to write something from my gut, and then come back to it after a break with fresh eyes. I love being challenged by a difficult brief – I did some work for Thames Water years ago and was tasked with making it more engaging, I love the challenge in this type of work. I also really enjoy working closely with a designer or strategist and seeing what a meeting of minds can produce.

What’s your favourite colour?

Hmmmm, this depends on my mood. This week it has to be yellow because recently, the sun has been shining in rainy Bristol!

If you were to share just one piece of copywriting advice, what would it be?

Don’t stop reading – fiction, editorial, poems, anything really. Fill your mind with words to fuel your work. Don’t let mobile phones affect your ability to indulge in an actual physical book.

Don’t stop learning – listen to people talk, explore other subjects and challenge what you think you like. Take yourself out of your comfort zone as much as you can.

It’s all in the edit – take the pressure off yourself when writing. Recognise that it’s iterative so write something, have a break and come back to it. Fresh eyes are important.

Thanks for the chat Kendra! You can check out Kendra’s portfolio here or get in touch directly by sending a message to kendra@kendrafutcher.com.