A reflection of how part-time work at a writing center influenced my current career as a medical scribe for an eye clinic.
Author Archives: alyssachartrand
Working 9 to 5: A Cup of Ambition for the Struggling Writer
“You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.” —Dolly Parton, an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian (yes, she deserves this whole introduction!) You’ve Got Passion & Vision Working 9-5 is never an easy task. Neither is taking 12-19 credit hours in a given semester. Couple that withContinue reading “Working 9 to 5: A Cup of Ambition for the Struggling Writer”
Making Sense of the World: Journaling for the Songwriter
“I’ve never thought about songwriting as a weapon. I’ve only thought about it as a way to help me get through love and loss and sadness and loneliness and growing up.” — Taylor Swift Yes friends, I am bringing music into the sphere into writing. Though I have made clear my passion for writing, manyContinue reading “Making Sense of the World: Journaling for the Songwriter”
The Gift of Charitable Writing: Spreading Hope From Home
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” —Mother Teresa What My Final Semester Taught Me As mentioned in earlier blog posts, 2020 has not been a picnic for anybody. As a senior in my final semester of college, I have been struggling for nearly aContinue reading “The Gift of Charitable Writing: Spreading Hope From Home”
The Writer’s Guide To Giving Good Feedback
“Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble.” – Yehuda Berg WhyContinue reading “The Writer’s Guide To Giving Good Feedback”
5 Tips for Avoiding Bad Writing (Academic Writing Edition)
“If a man means his writing seriously, he must mean to write well. But how can he write well until he learns to see what he has written badly. His progress toward good writing and his recognition of bad writing are bound to unfold at something like the same rate.” —John Ciardi It seems thatContinue reading “5 Tips for Avoiding Bad Writing (Academic Writing Edition)”
6 Strategies For Beating Writer’s Block (Quarantine Edition)
“The mind is sharper and keener in seclusion and uninterrupted solitude. Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone–that is the secret invention: be alone, that is when ideas are born.” —Nikola Tesla, Serbian-American Inventor I often hear from fellow writers how they wish theyContinue reading “6 Strategies For Beating Writer’s Block (Quarantine Edition)”
How To Put Together A Writing Journal
“If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.” —Hsun-tzu, Chinese Philosopher Journals are considered a collection of private materials, as it includes the vast ideas and imagination of the owner. Journals are used for a variety of purposes, such as for note taking, jotting down dreams, and making senseContinue reading “How To Put Together A Writing Journal”
A Modern Public Action Writing Story
Writing For Community Engagement Pt. 2 “The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words.” —William H. Gass This podcast serves as part 2 of a special edition blog for The Writer’s Desk. While the previous podcast discussed public action writing and the importance of integrating knowledge of writingContinue reading “A Modern Public Action Writing Story”
Writing For Community Engagement (Part 1)
An Introduction to the Audio Interview “Community service has taught me all kinds of skills and increased my confidence. You go out there and think on your feet, work with others and create something from nothing. That’s what life’s all about.” — Andrew Shue, American Actor and Soccer Player A bonus blog for this weekContinue reading “Writing For Community Engagement (Part 1)”
The Writer's Desk 