Hi there. My name is Laura Patricia, and I am a writer.
I am just completed three years at the University of Portsmouth in the UK, studying English & Creative Writing. I hope to work in the publishing industry eventually, as a proofreader or an editor. I have always been passionate about the written word, in every format; I constantly had my nose in a book as a child and have wanted to be a writer since I was twelve.
I have been published in First Edition magazine, and on various websites – both short stories and articles. I am a regular contributor to Unbored, a website set up and run by a friend who was in the year above me at university; and have been posting my fiction work (and helping other budding young writers develop theirs) on FictionPress for the past six years or so. Last summer, one of my lecturers paid me to proofread and advise on his three most recent manuscripts, which are due to be published in 2011. I have also written for K9 magazine and YEAH.
I was heavily involved in my university newspaper, Pugwash News, as both Editor in Chief and Copy Editor, as well as a regular writer, for the past three years. I got involved in my Fresher’s Week and can honestly say that I learned as much through my involvement with Pugwash as I have done on my degree. My roles included team management, approving text and images for print, cutting/extending articles to fit and making sure that everything was correct, in terms of spelling and grammar as much as ensuring that it follows journalistic guidelines. I also hosted a weekly radio show on our student radio station, Pure FM, where I discussed the articles and issues raised in the paper..
Finally, a bit about me as a person. My other passions besides writing are: sitcoms, Jane Austen, Seth MacFarlane, and dogs – Crufts really is the highlight of my nerdy little year. I might come accross as a bit obsessive for some when it comes to these topics, but they enrich my life and I love both observing and learning about them. I warn you now that many of my blogs will focus on these subjects! I have two sisters, one older (Jill), one younger (Claire), two parents (Mum and Dad, very conventional), and a five 1/2 year old Norwich Terrier called Pepper who I spoil rotten when I get the chance. When I’m not pampering him up in Reading, I am most likely hanging out with Adam, my boyfriend, tinkering with this website, or having a chai tea latte in Starbucks with my girls! I was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and moved to the UK when I was 10. I have a BlackBerry, not an iPhone, and I am happiest when I am busy.
My dreams and self integrity are very important to me. The way I see it, you’re only with other people a small portion of your day, but you have to associate with yourself 100% of the time, so why be someone you don’t like?
I plan to use this site as a sort of online portfolio, for now, where anyone interested in me as a writer can come and see my work. I hope to post my fiction writing (short stories and poems) and the few articles I have ever produced here, for your entertainment and perusal, as well as maintaining a regular blog.
That’s about it, folks. Thanks for stopping by!
Email: me@laurapatricia.co.uk
