This interview was recorded via Zoom on Friday, April 29th, between DePaul University’s writing tutor Brooks H. and Wheaton College’s writing consultant Meghan K. The current blog editor Miriam C. prepared and asked the boldface questions. Wheaton’s collaborator Maggie R. supervised the process. We hope you enjoy this conversation between peer writing tutors!
What’s your name, year, major, and how long have you been working at your current Writing Center?
Brooks: Hi, I’m Brooks! I’m an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing. This is my third and final year at the DePaul Writing Center.
Meghan: Hi, I’m Megan. I’m currently a junior at Wheaton College and my major is English Writing. This is now my second year at the Writing Center.
Why did you want to become a peer writing tutor or writing consultant? What attracted you about the position? What’s your origin story?
B: I had to come in the Writing Center for an appointment as a freshman—there was a class I was taking that required one visit. From being on the other end as a tutor, I know some people kind of hate that kind of appointment. And they make that known by their attitude; they can act very belligerent and not talkative.
I personally really enjoyed it. I found it very enriching and helpful with the assignment. So I went back for another voluntary appointment a few months later.
Then I just started to see ads around campus saying, “we’re hiring,” and I was like, oh, yeah, that seems like a cool job! I like to write; so it seemed a good fit. Overall, it turned out a pretty enjoyable application process. There wasn’t really one distinct moment where it felt like I was plucked, and destiny was sprung upon me. But nevertheless, that’s my story.
M: Freshman year, every student has to take a first-year writing class. I was writing a research paper about the benefits of keeping a food blog for it. We were too required to visit the Writing Center; I had such a wonderful time with a kind consultant.
Later I signed up for this new mentoring program at the Writing Center, where you’d have a designated consultant you’d go to with all your different essays as freshman. I just kept working with this particular consultant, and—again—she was so kind! I would come in some days on the verge of tears because my essay was due the next day and I had absolutely nothing; and she would walk me through the very beginnings, helping me clean up everything.
I just had such a wonderful impression of her that I wanted to do that myself. When given the opportunity, I jumped at the chance to apply.
What was the greatest challenge you faced when starting to work at the Writing Center? Did you receive any help or treasured advice?
B: I’m not very strong at learning models. Some people are good at instantly replicating them; while it takes me a few tries to have something sink in. I felt okay about meeting with people in person, but there were still little formulaic benchmarks to hit in every appointment. I didn’t know if I could remember them all.
But every senior staff member around me was really lovely and open to fielding questions, when I had a minute to ask, “Am I doing this right? Do you have any recommendations?” I don’t think there was a single person who put me off, who didn’t want to talk to me.
Everyone was very open and receptive, which was great.
M: Greatest challenge? Honestly, everything’s a blur!
You know, though, I did start working when COVID happened. Our consultations were online. That was different from the Writing Center I experienced as freshman. I was looking forward to being in person and getting to interact with people that way.
Online, however, we were learning different ways of communicating and expressing affirmation through a screen, which now has just become a new normal. So, it doesn’t stand out anymore as something challenging.
Still, I had to figure out how to collaborate online; then this year we’re in person, so I had to transition to that. I definitely do prefer in-person.
How would you describe the vibe of your Writing Center?
B: There’s not really a logical reason for this, but sometimes I have the impression of the UCWbL being a farm. Sure, I’ve never stepped foot on a farm, so I may not know what I’m talking about; but there’s something harmonious about our Writing Center—the harvest cycle, all these different things in motion that produce a crop from the land.
To me, there’s something farm-like about being here. Everyone’s doing their own thing, but it’s for a common interest and vocation.
M: On Monday we had a Writing Center party, in which all the consultants gathered, honored the seniors graduating, welcomed new consultants, and talked about our year.
So I guess our Writing Center is really wholesome: when we were sharing stories, people were genuinely so happy for each other and for the meaningful experiences with our clients. Everyone was clapping! We’re a group of people who love to celebrate growth and celebrate each other. We’re here for the journey.
What’s your favorite place to write in?
B: I’m a poet, so I always carry a notebook with me. Sometimes I find it difficult to write in a place that’s meant for writing—a nice table, a solid surface. It’s easier to be on the train and write something down quickly. Or on an airplane, out of necessity, I find I just have to entertain myself in some way. It’s the weird places, honestly.
M: I’d say, I most enjoy writing in my bed because I work best at night, and I’m usually tired then. I also love writing letters to my friends, getting sentimental.
How do you usually start an appointment?
B: In our training we learn about the importance of building rapport, which every tutor handles differently. For me it happens throughout the appointment, rather than the five minutes before we do any work. I feel like as I’m looking at someone’s writing, I get a sense of their personality. The more we talk about it, the more personal the appointment can get.
That’s when I start to build the rapport with them.
M: We start off each writing consultation chatting; first welcoming the person into the space, then asking about the client’s day. People volunteer as much or as little as they want. Sometimes people are really stressed, so they talk about their assignments and the work they have going on. Other times, you come from a sunny day and are in a good mood.
I think this helps us slow down and acknowledge the fact that we’re coming from a whole day, bringing specific things into this space. I like that we get to chat in the beginning before we get into the work we’re supposed to do.
What TV series are you watching nowadays?
B: No spoilers, but I’m two episodes away from finishing WandaVision. Last night I finished one and asked, “should I binge?” My body said otherwise, probably for the best, but over the weekend it will be all eaten up.
M: I’m currently watching four shows. I started with a real estate series on Netflix, Selling Sunset. Then, I’m a huge fan of CW shows; I’m watching All American, All American Homecoming, and lastly The Flash, I love The Flash.
Do you experience impostor syndrome as tutor or consultant? What has helped you deal with it?
B: It’s a feeling I didn’t have a name for until recently. I definitely experience it, especially when meeting with someone who seems confident in their abilities academically and brings something put together. “Should I even say anything?”
But even if I don’t know as much as the writer does about a certain thing, I still have a certain amount of precious perspective because, indeed, I know less, so I can catch things they might have breezed over because they’re comfortable with the topic. Small, but crucial to explaining.
M: I definitely experience impostor syndrome in the Writing Center. I did a lot last year as new consultant and sophomore. I’d have seniors bringing their research paper in sociology and not really understanding a lot of the content. In those moments, I feel like, “Am I qualified to be here? To be helping you?”
That’s a feeling we have to balance because it’s good to stay humble and not know everything. There are definitely experiences and skills that writers who come into the Writing Center can teach me. But it’s also important to remember that I bring knowledge to the table too—I’ve experience looking through papers and describing what’s happening, offering suggestions.
One definitely needs to balance humility with the confidence in the work done this far.
There’s something harmonious about our Writing Center—the harvest cycle, all these different things in motion that produce a crop from the land.
Brooks H.
What’s your favorite genre of writing to give feedback to and why?
B: I like creative writing; it can be very challenging because it’s someone’s personal work. I also like reflective essays—a cool balance between academic but creative, in the way the person chooses to express something they are talking about with themselves.
My favorite part of being a tutor is helping someone find their own words, so that’s a really good type of writing to do that with.
M: Totally agree! I love reflective essays because there are so many stories embedded into something this personal, a reflection on their year, on a certain experience. Sometimes I can resonate with what they describe; sometimes I can’t relate at all.
But it’s a gift, to be able to receive that story, in that moment.
How have you grown as a writer since working at the Writing Center?
B: A subconscious absorbing occurs when reading so much academic writing; and I know it may sound bad, but I learn what not to do, sometimes. I notice what passages sound clunky; I catch it quicker in my own writing. I guess I feel more editor than writer.
M: Exactly! As a consultant you read a lot of papers. I’ve become used to being an audience member. Whenever I’m writing now, I’m more aware of there being a person on the other side that’s reading my work. I think, “What would make sense to them?”
Do you have any secret tips for fellow tutors?
B: Think of every appointment as a fresh slate. Trust your instincts but don’t lead with them. Every person is different; every writing piece is different. When the right moment comes, your instincts will tell you something, and you can listen, but it’s more important to listen first to what the person needs, then let what you can offer follow.
M: I’m the type of person that likes to plan every minute. When I’m trying something new for the first time, it could go south in so many ways. So trust that you’ll prepare as much as you can but, in the moment, don’t let your preparation and nerves get in the way of listening to what your client is asking and what your client needs.
I really love when it doesn’t feel like a job, but like talking to another human being.
Meghan K.
What’s your preferred snack or drink while working?
B: I drink so much water. Being dehydrated is a personal fear of mine; I hate having a headache.
M: I love salty foods, like snacking on chips. But when it comes down to writing essays and getting work done, I love butterscotch-flavored lollipops. They help me focus.
What is your favorite memory between colleagues or with a student?
B: I had a few repeat appointments with this writer who’s actually out of the country. They were long appointments because she was working on her doctoral thesis. I loved the topic: comedy and Shakespeare and how it’s become tragedy over time, which I thought so specific and interesting. My inner theater nerd got to come out for a minute.
It felt like a conversation with someone. It didn’t feel like work.
M: For their discussion-based classes, all freshmen must write an essay to articulate what the Gospel is, as if they’re explaining it to a friend. You get a lot of personal stories—and reflective ones as well, my favorite kind of essays.
A student came with her understanding of the Gospel and shared some hard things about her life. In that moment, we could take a break from the writing itself and affirm the path she’s on, thank her for trusting me with her words, and let her know I felt encouraged by her story.
I really love when it doesn’t feel like a job, but like talking to another human being.
What will be your main takeaway of working as tutor/consultant once you graduate? What skills have you learned and improved?
B: The job strengthened my listening and communication skills. I can enter different situations, not knowing the outcome, and problem-solve with someone else.
M: My main takeaway would be the practicality: knowing how to read all sorts of essays across various disciplines, with which I had little experience, and how to map the structure of an essay, knowing the claim, the evidence, the conclusion.
My job made me a better reader. And then, I think it made a better listener too.