Writing Center - Tutors
Keisha B. majors in Psychology and believes that people from all walks of life (and majors) may benefit from honing their writing skills. She enjoys helping others work through the creative process, as it gives her an opportunity not only to hone her own but also to share with others the minute particulars of a hobby she loves! To those who are frustrated with the process of writing, Keisha recommends the advice of master Earnest Hemingway: stay positive and keep it in your head that, "there is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." Writing is the process of taking what's in your head and making those words something tangible, then revising.
David G.,a Senior English major and a Spanish minor, finds leisure writing to be the most rewarding, but loves the rigor of academic papers. He enjoys watching a paper come to life via the writing process, and is willing to aid any person in his or her writing efforts. David enjoys employing details and sense impressions in his creative writing. Two quotes that inspire him: "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass." –Anton Chekov "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you." –Ray Bradbury
Joanne K. majors in Humanities and finds writing and the process of writing fun. “Writing academic papers is satisfying” says Joanne, “but losing myself in surrealist techniques, especially the cut-up, is lovely.” Learning more about writing and improving her own writing motivate her in her tutoring. She feels that working with others “to unlock their innate writing skills” and “to refine their writing” gives her the opportunity “to examine, through written word and conversation, how humans communicate.” Joanne’s advice to all writers is, “Don’t force writing. Often, the best sentences come to me as I’m falling asleep and attempting to decompress after a long day.”
Jessica R. is a Senior English major who will be graduating in May. She is active in both Choir and Theater on campus, as well as President of the German Book Club. When it comes to writing a paper she believes the hardest part is starting and it always helps to have people to bounce ideas off of and brainstorm with.
John R. is a Graphic Design major and Business minor. John particularly loves writing about themes that interconnect through different works, even non-literary. He gets the most satisfaction in finding the words to effectively express unique ideas that are difficult to explain. As a tutor John hopes to share his passion for creative thinking in writing, or if anything, to help instill said passion in the students who come in with even the dullest of assignments- --because it is hard to write anything on something you don’t want to. John’s writing advice is “to just get your ideas written down, so you can tangibly organize your thoughts later; otherwise, you might forget a really great idea among that would have added to the quality of your writing.”
Katie S. is a senior English major who has a passion for editing and literary analysis. She believes that “understanding a text, an author, or even a teacher’s lecture allows a person to blend outside knowledge with personal perspective, creating the potential to produce something academically and personally satisfying.” As a tutor, Katie enjoys watching fellow writers fall in love with their own work, transforming it from a tedious assignment to a product of their character. She finds the process of writing very important, and only after many years of all-nighters and espresso does she fully appreciate this process and the personal value obtained from spending time on an assignment. She looks forward to helping those who want to improve their written assignments as well as sharing her passion with her fellow students.
Liz S. majors in English Education. She thinks that “the best writers are not the best because they are perfect; they are the best because they love what they do.” Liz has a passion for writing, a passion for words, and coupling that with dedication enables her to be a writer. She believes that writing is an essential form of communication that is important in all walks of life. As a tutor, she enjoys the opportunity to help students become more proficient writers and to see their pride and confidence in their written work. In reflecting on writing, Liz offers this quote from Rhys Alexander: “As a writer, words are your paint. Use all the colors.”