Samantha Howard

What Writers Need to Write: Environment and the Writing Process


Do writers' environments affect their work and their productivity? If so, how, and why? My presentation outlines what an ideal writing space could and should be for various kinds of writers.

Presently, writing centers do not necessarily encourage writing within their spaces. I explain reasons why writing centers should remodel their spaces so that writers can write in the center, rather than simply drop by for tutoring help, as is the typical writing center practice. Writing centers already pride themselves by running on a model of active and social learning, which would only be expanded by creating spaces for writers to write together.

I conducted my research through three methodologies. First, I conducted a survey of experienced and inexperienced writers to find out what value they find in different writing spaces. Second, I visited four Michigan writing centers and conducted interviews with their respective directors to see if and how writers could use their centers as writing environments. Third, I completed extensive readings from learning center/building design and writing center scholarship to learn about cutting edge space design in order to determine redesign strategies to make writing center spaces more hospitable to writers. My findings demonstrate the importance of a good writing environment and argues that if writing centers became spaces for writers to write, they could expand their pedagogy to intervene during the writing process and build a supportive community of writers.

Faculty Mentor: Ellen Schendel, Writing

UPDATE:

Samantha presented at the East Central Writing Center Association Spring Conference April 9-10, 2010 in Lansing, MI.

Samantha presented at the International Writing Center Association - NCPTW Conference November 4-6, 2010 in Baltimore, MD.

Page last modified January 21, 2011