Meet Patrick

I’m Patrick Ross, a professional writer for nearly 25 years who has returned to the path of an art-committed life. I’m pursuing an MFA in Writing through the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and am a writing instructor with The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Maryland. My literary agent is John D. Mason of The Intellectual Property Group.

Photo credit: Marisa Ross

I’ve been a short-order cook, a nonprofit CEO, a veterinary assistant, a reporter, a theater usher, a magazine editor, an art-gallery laborer, a think tank senior fellow, a college admissions interviewer, a federal agency executive, a freelance writer and copyeditor, a radio news announcer, a tour-bus coordinator, a Senate staffer, a classical singer, a D.C. news bureau chief, a would-be professional darts player, and a telemarketer. I apologize for that last one.

The short films I produced as I drove across the U.S. interviewing artists can be found here. You can hear me interviewed by Liz Massey of Creative Liberty about that road trip here.

Get useful resources on creativity and writing on Twitter @PatrickRwrites.

Feel free to learn about me professionally at my web site, connect with me on LinkedIn, email me, find some of my past writings here, and see my journalism awards here.

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ADDENDUM (12/23/11): I am thrilled to have been named a Top 10 Blog for Writing for 2011-2012. I’d like here to acknowledge the individuals who nominated me, and reprint their nominations.

• Jon M (@thindifference): Patrick provides solid advice to writers but, more importantly, inspiration. His writing style is heartfelt and real, and his challenges are expressed honestly and helpfully. Great site, great person.
• Carole Jane Treggett (@cjtreggett): Not only does this award-winning journalist and gifted creative writer consistently provide quality posts on a consistent basis, but he’s inspired/ fostered a truly genuine and supportive community of writers and creatives. Patrick is very generous with his focus and attention on fellow creatives as he is pursuing his own creative career, always encouraging fellow writers and artists to follow their chosen paths, developing authentic relationships.
• Sue Mitchell (@Sue_Mitchell): I love his blog because he is both an expert in writing and a perpetual learner. When I read the posts there, I feel like he is both teaching me and learning along with me. Patrick also is a great curator of other people’s posts on writing and creativity through his Creativity Tweets of the Week. He is very accessible to his readers and regularly engages us in thought-provoking conversations about writing topics I’m not seeing discussed elsewhere.
• Anne Da Vigo (Coffee and Ink): Patrick writes the blog while juggling a job, and masters degree studies in creative non-fiction. What I appreciate about his blog is that he is so willing to be open and honest about his path as he works toward his goal of a creative life. Some days he seems overwhelmed; on others he is elated about his progress. He provides wonderful links on a variety of writerly topics.