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Brief Encounter - Elizabeth Jenner

Elizabeth Jenner
Elizabeth Jenner
Originally Published 30 April 2004

Elizabeth Jenner is one of three student authors, whose work is being featured in Warwick’s First Student Publication, the magical book of folk tales,‘Love and Other Human Tragedy'.

Position
First year English Literature and Creative Writing student

Which means
Seven and a half hours of lectures/seminars a week and lots of spare time to be ‘creative.’

Magazines read
Glamour, Elle…and anything else that catches my eye in the newsagents

Life before Warwick
Heswall, a town on the Wirral peninsula. It was great because it was midway between Liverpool and Chester, and pretty easy to get to either city (despite not having a car).

Best thing about studying at Warwick
The campus atmosphere

Worst thing about studying at Warwick
How lazy a campus atmosphere makes you – so that a 15-minute walk to Tesco becomes a grand expedition.

People are always surprised to learn this about me, but...
I lived in the Netherlands for a couple of years when I was a toddler. I went to Dutch playschool and was well on my way to being fluent in the language when we moved back to England and I promptly forgot every word.

As a young child what did you want to be as a "grown-up"?
A ballet dancer (until I realised I was too tall) or an actress (until I realised I wasn’t convincing enough) or a writer (until I realised I’d never make enough money to live on)

Now that you are grown-up what would be your "dream job"?
An editor at a publishing house, or a freelance journalist (or to be able to be a full time writer)

What has life's experience taught you so far?
Make the most of every opportunity

Major achievement to date?
Probably being accepted at Warwick to study English Literature and Creative Writing

What do you treasure most?
The opportunity to have time to myself, to do what I want to do… I’ve been told it won’t be there forever.

Any hidden talents?
I have been known to play hairdresser, and cut and colour my friends’ hair. I’ve not had a major mishap - yet.

Which person inspires you most, and why?
Clichéd but true – my mother. She has an amazing ability to keep calm and rational throughout any crisis. It’s an attitude to life, which I try to copy

Love and Other Human Tragedy hits stores 6 May 2004 2004 with a book launch in the Warwick Arts Centre Bookshop.