By Moss Geren — Writing Specialist
July 18, 2023

I have been wondering about why a Writing Center would even need a blog. Would someone ask a math tutor why they’re practicing new equations while they weren’t with a student? Why would an athlete go to the gym during the off-season? Why is it that artists need to practice when they’re already skilled at drawing? It’s important to continually immerse ourselves in the craft. If we are using our writing skills in our professional practice, it helps us keep our minds fresh and furthers our knowledge.

Even though I am very well-written with my bachelors in English, I can still learn from my colleagues. When I was writing one of my blog posts, Writing Specialist Lynn Blanton looked over it for me. She taught me a comma rule I didn’t know! Percy Mercer gave me insights into journalism when I interviewed Fernanda about our embedded classes. Jamie Montgomery told me that my scene felt rushed when I was revising Hailstone: The Honest Butcher— and the story became so much better because of that. Through making blogs and working together, we teach each other more about writing. This helps us help students with their work.

I should repeat that we look over each other’s blogs. This is especially helpful for new tutors and writing specialists, since we can practice giving suggestions for drafts in a controlled environment. It helps us rehearse what we would do in sessions.

Along with my degree, I like to have something physical to show my credibility as a writer to students. I can also share my expertise on topics the students may be interested in, like the Aspiring Author’s Guide I have been working on; the first section includes my experience querying literary agents. This sense of credibility helps students feel secure that they are getting the help that they need from a capable source. They can also get to know me a little better and not be as nervous to approach me. Sometimes asking for help can make students anxious.

That being said, writing is also super fun for the Writing Center folks since it’s our passion. I was so excited to learn I could share my writing at work– it quickly became one of my favorite aspects of the job. I could help students with their writing while working on my own. Energy stays high at the Writing Center by giving them this opportunity; we update the blog together, share stories with each other, and encourage one another. I'm delighted to be able to work on our little blog more and continue doing what I love.

The blog gives us something to work on together with all the members of the Writing Center. I collaborate with the other writing specialists to create educational graphics and the like, but the tutors can get in on the blog in their spare time as well. It gives us something to do as a group and bond over. 

These aren’t the only reasons a Writing Center should have a blog, but I did think they are some of the more important points. In the end, many Writing Centers have a blog, and there’s a reason for that; it keeps us in practice, teaches us new skills, helps us rehearse what a session will be like, gives us more credibility, excites workers who love to write, and encourages collaboration with the whole Writing Center.