20 (or so) questions on how Sarah (@SarahWordNerd) works

This series of posts was inspired by Lifehacker’s How I Work series, which I’ve been reading for quite some time and thoroughly enjoy. It’s about time we discover how our colleagues work and get to know them a little better.

If you want to participate in this fun series, send us an email at info@linguagreca.com so we can send you the Word template where you can fill in your answers and your bio (incl. your site/blog/social media links) and then send it back to us as an attachment along with your photo (optional but preferred). If you don’t like any of the questions, just delete them and add your own. You can read the previous interviews here.

Location: Berlin, Germany
Desired location: I’m good here
Current work title: Word nerd and freelance translator
Desired work title: Word ninja (but it doesn’t have such a ring to it)
Languages you have studied or currently speak: English (native), German, a few remants of French I’ve managed to hold on to since school.
The project you’re most proud of: An ongoing project called the “setting myself up as a freelance translator in a foreign country” project – it’s been scary and difficult at times, but mostly fun, rewarding and successful.
Your current computer setup: My trusty HP laptop, I’ve moved countries three times since I got it so it’s been useful to have a mobile study/work place, but now I’m settled in Berlin I do want to upgrade to a big monitor soon.
Do you own a smartphone? Yes, two! I go back to the UK a lot so I’ve kept my old HTC with an English SIM in and also have a newer HTC with a German contract.
Favorite time of the day: I am at my most productive in the late afternoon.
Favorite gadget (apart from computer & smartphone): A toss up between my Kindle and my shower radio shaped like a microphone – dancing in the shower is seriously underrated!
Next conference/event you’re planning to attend: At the moment I don’t have anything booked, but I did just attend a one-day conference on “Paths to Publishing” and finished a course on Contemporary German Literature recently.
How many hours per day do you usually work: Anywhere between one and sixteen, I’m still trying to find the happy medium!
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? I get overwhelmed by being in a crowd, but I love performing in front of an audience. A bit of both I guess …
Are you an early-riser or a night-owl? I keep a pretty regular schedule, but I veer towards night-owl if there’s lots to be done.
What do you listen to while you work? Anything from rock n roll, motown, indie rock, soulful pop to MemoQ’s ‘Zen mode’ (particularly useful if I’m stressed!) or just nothing at all.

And a few non-work related questions to get more personal 🙂

Next city/country you want to visit: So many! The next new place I hope to visit next is Poland or somewhere on the Baltic Sea.
Favorite vacation place: Anywhere with some mountains
Favorite book: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Favorite song: Again so many! It depends on my mood, but currently I would say Paloma Faith’s “Just Be”.
What are you currently reading? I’ve nearly finished White Teeth by Zadie Smith, next up is Mr Darwin’s Gardener by Kristina Carlson.

Author bio

Sarah Fisher is a freelance German – English translator living and working in Berlin. She specializes in marketing, journalism and business communication. She is an avid reader, ice cream eater and history geek and is also active in Berlin’s literary translation scene, recently participating in the Translation Idol competition and attending numerous events and workshops. Find out more at www.wordnerds.de or on Twitter: @SarahWordNerd.