Writing, for most, consists largely of staring at a blank screen and a blinking cursor for half an hour. When the coffee mug (or brandy snifter) is empty and the peanut M&Ms source is depleted, the writer sinks deep into despair, realizing that not a word has been written, not a single worthy idea has
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Musings of a Hypergraphic
English was my first passion. Ever since elementary school, I have loved to read and write. Even now I still love the sounds and flow of words, the complexity of their interactions, and the power they hold to persuade readers, stimulate imaginations, and weave beauty from thin air. For me writing has always been more
Dear Diary…NOT!
“If I’m going to set the literary world on fire, the only way to do it is to rub one word against another. ‘A writer’s notebook is one place to start rubbing.’ ” (Wallace Stegner/Ralph Fletcher) Journal, sketchbook, notebook, idea log, whatever moniker you assign, it may surprise you how useful one can be,
The Writing Center Presents: The Trick or Tweet Web of Terror
Have you ever wanted to write a story but felt that you didn’t have the time? Have you ever wanted to brag to friends and family that you collectively wrote a book? Have you ever wanted to be an author to the greatest story ever told? Well here is your chance to accomplish all three.
Those Pesky Assignment Sheets
We have all probably been here at least once. The professor hands out the assignment sheet, and provides a lengthy discussion about the expectations, helpful hints, and things to remember, and when the professor asks if it all makes sense, we bob our heads up and down like great students should. Then we leave. We
What The #$*&! Am I Going To Write About?
Sometimes, I really loathe writing. I tend to cycle through insufferable stages of insecurity. Typically, this downward spiral that tests the strength of my sanity begins when I feel like I have no idea of what I want to say. There is nothing more terrifying to a writer than the realization, “I lost my voice.
Congratulations to Roger Austin!!
Congratulations go out to Roger Austin, one of our Marian E. Wright Writing Center tutors! Roger was accepted into the PhD program in Rhetoric and Composition at Georgia State University in Atlanta. This fall he intends to focus his studies in writing center theory and first year or developmental composition. He and his wife plan
Scheduling Appointments
Appointments at the Marian E. Wright writing center are primarily set up between thirty minute and one hour appointments. It is important to note that the guidelines regarding these two types of appointments are based on the length of the paper that will be discussed. It is suggested that students make appointments of 30 minutes
Scheduling Success
“If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?” –Eihei Dōgen I recently immersed myself in the craft of shaving with a nineteenth-century straight razor. It’s an interesting journey for sure, and the benefits are numerous. There are no more nicks and scratches, it saves
Personal Statements and Scholarship Essays
It’s that time of year again: Time to submit scholarship and admission applications! This is always a frustrating time for students, because there are so many extras involved in the application process. Asking for recommendation letters, writing essays, and composing the ever-ambiguous purpose statement can lead to what I like to call “application freak-out.” Application