Should I put my current boss down as a referee, despite me not wanting her to know I'm looking?

Calmly meet with him, and tell him that you are fully capable of handling more responsibility. Drop a few hints about how if there is no room for advancement at his company that there are a few other companies that you're interested in working at. If this guy won't change his mind, you're going to have to find a new job or just accept it.

I'd start searching now for a new position, but make a last effort with this guy.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.