L.S. Barrett

Laura S. Barrett is a professional writer and editor with over 25 years' experience. She recently opened her doors as the owner and operator of The Last Word Writing and Editing Services.

Laura also runs and writes about that; although not at the same time - that would be awkward. Laura has been plugging away at a book which she knows means nothing until it is actually a book but it's kind of like announcing you’re training for a marathon; somebody will remember you said it and you will be expected to follow through. She’s OK with that.

Laura's background includes television and film with a smattering of advertising. She began life in the entertainment industry before ... beginning life, actually. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario to a writer/producer dad and a dancer mom, Laura frequented theatres and studios on an almost-daily basis before she could even walk and was performing before she hit the double digits.

Post-double-digit, Laura freelanced as a professional dancer and worked on commercials, videos and film until she was sidelined by an injury. Taking that as a sign, Laura pursued her interest in writing and studied journalism at Toronto’s Ryerson University, specialising in writing for broadcast. Laura supplemented her studies by working for the National News department of the CBC first as a copy clerk and then as an editorial assistant and writer. Enjoying life behind the camera for a change, Laura expanded her education to include a camera training course while still attending Ryerson. She began working as a camera trainee on feature films before she completed her studies at Ryerson and continued to freelance as a camera assistant for film, commercials and videos.

Lives have a habit of changing direction without first checking with their owners and Laura's life directed her to Nova Scotia where she secured a job at the CTV affiliate (ATV/ASN) in Halifax as a production and research assistant, copy and script writer and editor for both news and specialty shows. She then worked for two years as the primary copy-writer and editor of Edmonton Telephones’ Talking Yellow Pages before returning to Nova Scotia.

It was at this point Laura decided to turn off the GPS and stick to raising her family, writing and criticising other people's writing. She devoted much of her time to volunteer work, consistently gravitating to leadership, communication and public relations roles. Laura created and implemented promotional activities and materials and published brochures, schedules, agendas and forms for all levels of Girl Guides of Canada up to and including Provincial. Laura also created, wrote, edited and published a quarterly newsletter for hundreds of members of Girl Guides of Canada.

Laura helped facilitate the creation of a summer competitive swim team and year-round fitness program for children. This included writing the association’s by-laws and manuals, including an extensive harassment policy and code of conduct, designing a logo, creating and writing public relations materials to promote and advertise the new team, developing a website and publishing an annual handbook and weekly/seasonal newsletters.

Laura was commissioned to write a grant proposal for government funding at the provincial level to help finance a partnership between professional actors, directors, stage technicians and the Cole Harbour Historical Society to help a group of elementary school students create and produce a play based on the history of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. The proposal was accepted and when funding was in place Laura coordinated all aspects of public relations for the play, including arranging television coverage, and designed all written publications, materials and the production’s program.

Laura enjoys all forms of scribing and is serious about that book. Although she has no problem living life as a starving writer, her children - and her cat - are not so willing to suffer for her craft. Thankfully, Laura’s broadcast journalism and copy-writing background, her knowledge and appreciation of the English language and her proven ability to manage a variety of communication mediums allows her the ability to professionally manage writing and editing projects for both on-line and print presentation. And keep food on the table - or the floor.

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