Introducing myself

[girlyswot]

When I first started this LJ I intended to post only fic here. I had a long Antonia Forest fic and then I started writing some HP drabbles. I didn't feel like I knew anyone who was reading it (and there weren't many of them) so I used only my LJ name and had no real personal information on here.

Anyway, over the course of the last few months I have felt like I am getting to know and trust those of you who check in regularly. And I've had a smallish spate of new friends in the last couple of weeks. So it seemed like a good time to say hi properly.

I'm Ros. I'm 32 and although I live in Philadelphia (actually just outside the city limits) I'm oh-so-very British. I'm studying for a PhD in Old Testament, which is what brought me to the US last summer.

I've written fanfic for years before I knew you could call it that and I never dreamed that anyone else might be interested in reading it. I like the Harry Potter books but I don't think they're great literature and it's probably not even my favourite fandom to write in. However it's a great place to learn from other writers and readers and I know my writing has improved in leaps and bounds over this past year as a result. But I definitely prefer fics set outside the limits of the books - whether pre-PS, post-Hogwarts, or minor-character centred. Too much H/G (except that of the stmargaretsvariety) makes me feel a little queasy. But the world never has enough of Charlie Weasley, for my taste.

I'd love to write poetry (and have made various more or less successful attempts) but I fear I may have to accept that there are some things that lie beyond my natural abilities. Like singing. I keep threatening my flatmate that I'm going to apply for American Idol next year and she very kindly points out that I'm not American enough.

I wish I had more time for things like writing and knitting and watching trashy TV, but sadly I have a reading list of 157 books which I'm working my way through far too slowly.  And semester starts again next week with classes and papers to get in the way.  Though, to be honest, if I won the lottery tomorrow (which since I never enter, is marginally less likely to happen than if I did) I wouldn't change a thing.  I love what I study and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to do it.  I might get a new sofa, though.

Comments

[grandma-kate.livejournal.com]

Glad to know more about you, Ros. I'm sure it doesn't feel like it sometimes but you are young to be in a doctoral program and have your whole life ahead of you. I was 39 before I went back to get a PhD, newly divorced, and the sole support of three kids. I'd been "PHT-ing" (putting hubby through) for eleven years.

Gerry wrote today that she hopes to be able to meet you while you are in the US. I'm all they way across the country in California and think my traveling days may be over for a while.

[girlyswot.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that perspective, Kate. I look around at the other PhD students I'm working with, most of whom have families to support and have to work jobs to put themselves through and I know I have it easy as a single student with no dependents and full funding. It does mean that I hope to get through my coursework by summer 2008 and then maybe I'll move back home.

It'll be fun to meet up with Gerry - she's promised to show me Mark Twain's house and Harriet Beecher Stowe's house.

[sibtrelawney.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to it, Ros. I'm sure we can work it out.