ABOUT ELIZABETH

I grew up in Los Angeles, graduated from college in Denver, then moved to New York City and found work as a copy editor for both news journals and feature magazines.

Eventually, I moved to Rhode Island, where I worked several years as a part-time copy editor at the Providence Journal and began a freelance writing career.

I stepped out of the workforce for about 10 years to care for my third child, who was born with Down syndrome and medical problems that often landed him in the hospital during his early years. His health improved as he grew, allowing me to resume my career. (You can read about his very first months here.)

In 2009, I began freelancing for my02818.com, a hyper-local news website for East Greenwich. Patch bought out my02818 in 2010. In 2011, the editor left and I took over as editor for East Greenwich Patch. During my editorship, unique visits averaged 30,000 a month, this for a website serving a town of 13,000 residents and a dearth of crime news.

My natural curiosity about the people and places I come in contact with has been my biggest asset as a journalist. My early training as a copy editor has held me in good stead in the online world, where the pace is fast and copyediting is often viewed as a luxury.

I love gardening, cooking, reading, the beach, open-water swimming, and connecting with people. My travels have taken me to many places in the United States, as well as Central America, North Africa, the Middle East and Europe. I am married to Neal McNamara, a lawyer in Providence. We have three children. I have learned much by being the mother of my children. Through my youngest child, my eyes have been opened to the world of those with intellectual disabilities, for which I am grateful.