Hey there. I’m Patty. The only people who call me Patricia are people who don’t know me, like doctor’s office receptionists and professors on the first day of class, so let’s just breeze right past that.

In short: I write words and take photos, in that order. I’d love to do one or both of these things for you and/or your fine publication. I’m currently based in Athens, Ga., but I suspect that will change soon.

I decided I wanted to be a writer when Rider Strong read some of his poetry in an episode of Boy Meets World. I have thanked him on Twitter for this. Writing is my first love and photos come after that. I see the world in terms of what would make a great story, and what form that story will come in. Text? Photos? Audio slideshow? Video? Infographic? I can do all of these things.

Outside of journalism, I have as many hobbies and interests as hairs on my head, but my very favorite ones are knitting/crochet, cooking, dancing, and reading books. A few fun facts about me to break the ice:

• I mostly grew up in a suburb of Georgia whose claim to fame is a giant mechanical chicken with spinning eyes and a beak that opens and closes. Folks, some things are just too weird to make up.
• I’m a great dancer, but not with other people.
• I never leave home without my AP Stylebook or one of the 10 (!!) tubes of red lipstick I own.
• I was once asked, while working at a makeup counter, if I would remove a teenage girl’s contact lenses. From her eyeballs. By her mother. I’m still not sure what the appropriate response was.
• My Klout score is holding strong at 50. My goal is to get it up to 60 by the beginning of 2014. UPDATE: Wow. You put a wish out into the universe, and it conspires to make your dreams a reality. I think I read that in a Paulo Coelho novel. Or a fortune cookie. Or a bathroom stall. Regardless! Since writing this, my Klout score has climbed to a staggering 59. I guess this means I’m winning friends AND influencing people.

And there you have it. Head on over to my contact page if I’ve piqued your professional interest.