Paula Thomas
Paula is an administrator at a leading British University. She also offers freelance copy typing, line editing and proofreading services.
One of her hobbies for as long as she can remember has been writing. She maintains that there's just something about putting words on a page that brings her great peace and satisfaction. To that end she joined Suite101.com in March 2010, and having found herself bitten by the online writing bug, Squidoo.com in December 2010 in order to post those articles which are just too informal (or fun!) for Suite's pages. A request to write for RetroGT.com followed after a chance meeting at a retrogaming convention.
A self-confessed wordnerd and grammar hound, Paula started writing seriously 30 years ago, crafting long, rambling and blog-like letters to penpals worldwide, including concert reviews, cultural information, book recommendations and travel diaries. These days, she maintains a blog as well as having numerous postal penpals and online friends around the world. She enjoys reading including articles on current affairs, history, technology and travel, biographies, science fiction and modern fiction.
In addition to having over 100 articles as a Contributing Writer on Suite, Paula was appointed Topic Editor for Auto Racing in July 2011. This allows her not only to flex her editing muscle when needed (not often, as her fellow gearheads and petrolheads are as passionate about their words as they are about their sport) but also to indulge in year-round immersion in her favourite sport. Over the years her influences have led her also to enjoy watching coverage of Gaelic football, hurling, curling, speed skating and biathlon as well as more widely reported sports such as gymnastics, athletics, cycling and showjumping.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Classical Studies - ancient Latin and Greek culture, literature and architecture - from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1991) as well as recognised secretarial, commercial language and proofreading qualifications. She is hoping to join the Society for Editors and Proofreaders as soon as finances allow.
When creating articles she writes about whatever catches her eye or makes her think, often these are subjects which she has had to research for one reason or another, so she feels she may as well share her knowledge. Some subjects - such as music, penpalling, technology and travel - attract her more than others, but she applies the rule that if it interests her, there will be someone else out there for whom it is also useful and informative. As her article list grows, she is finding an interest in writing about international public transport/mass transit as well as her long-held love of penpalling, to which theme she will return in 2012. She will also, when pressed, admit to a deep love of cats and an appreciation of vintage aircraft, classic cars and large items of engineering technology including aircraft, ships and mining equipment. She also appears to have an affinity for fiddling with spreadsheets and databases.
More background to and details about Paula's articles can be found on Wordchazer's Words blog. In addition, she shares links there to other pieces which have grabbed her attention as well as recommended music and reading ideas. She also maintains a 'blogroll' of those blogs which have caught her attention.
Paula is happy to undertake freelance work in the areas of proofreading, copy typing, article writing, editing and formatting documents to any given guidelines. She has worked with engineers, scientists, financial specialists and senior academics on reports, articles, dissertations, policy documents and bid tenders/contracts as well as CVs and statements in support of job applications. She is also enjoying proofreading and beta-reading a variety of manuscripts in what remains of her spare time.
March 2012.
Latest Articles
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The Beeb at 30: A Celebration of the BBC Micro Computer
30 years since its launch, some of the people involved in the development of the BBC Micro gathered in Cambridge to celebrate.
Apr 8, 2012
- Paula Thomas
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Holidays on a Budget in Anaheim, California, USA
Holidays in California, especially near Disneyland, can be expensive, but need not break the bank. Follow these tips and watch the savings mount up.
Mar 6, 2012
- Paula Thomas
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One Year Later: Changes in the Anaheim Resort Area, California
A return visit to Anaheim, California, a year on from the last time, brings hope for the future and sadness for the past.
Jan 29, 2012
- Paula Thomas
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Extreme Ironing: Craze, Fad or Sport?
How did a humble household chore become so feted?
Jan 4, 2012
- Paula Thomas
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Guerrilla Knitting: Crafting as a Form of Decoration and Protest
Knitting has the image of a homely, wholesome, old fashioned activity. However, recently this staid idea has been overtaken by a new breed of knitter.
Dec 28, 2011
- Paula Thomas
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Creative and Fun Knitting Projects--The New Knit Makeover
Knitting has always been a popular pastime around the world. But it has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity which has seen it undergo a radical makeover.
Dec 4, 2011
- Paula Thomas
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The Veterans' Cenotaph March Past, London, England, 2011
The veterans mass every year to march past the Cenotaph in London and lay wreaths in remembrance of fallen friends.
Dec 1, 2011
- Paula Thomas
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The Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph, London, England, 2011
The annual Ceremony of Remembrance in London's Whitehall changes little in format but often in faces as old soldiers pass on and new veterans join in.
Dec 1, 2011
- Paula Thomas
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The Festival of Remembrance, London, England, 2011
The yearly Festival of Remembrance is for the British serving military to celebrate, commemorate and remember those who fell or were injured in war.
Dec 1, 2011
- Paula Thomas
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Concert Review - Erasure, Cambridge Corn Exchange, 1 Nov 2011
Erasure, known for their catchy tunes and the equally eye-catching outfits of singer Andy Bell, brought their latest tour to the Corn Exchange.
Nov 19, 2011
- Paula Thomas
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