Kayla Guzman

Kayla is a senior from Houston, Texas. She is majoring in English Literature with a concentration in non-fiction writing and minoring in Legal Studies. She also enjoys spending time with her family, and engaging with her Mexican culture through dance, fashion, and food. In her free time, she is often shopping for pocket-size collectible figures and organizing her stationary collection.

What brought you to The Writing Center?

Before coming to WashU, I never had access to a resource like The Writing Center and was only used to doing any kind of writing assignment on my own. When I came to WashU and used The Writing Center my freshman year, I learned new ways and thinking and approaching my writing assignments. The Writing Center helped me grow academically and learn that it is okay to ask for help.

What do you like about working with writers in The Writing Center?

I enjoy getting to learn how others approach their writing assignments and the ways that they think! I know that asking for someone’s help with writing can be vulnerable, so it is important for me to fully dedicate myself to writers and their pieces. I get the privilege of helping writers shape their voice in their writing.

What challenges you most about writing?

It has always been a bit time-consuming for me to write out my ideas into coherent sentences that follow the prompt or topic I am covering. I often feel like I have so much to say, that I begin to confuse what is relevant and irrelevant information. I’ve started using only pen and paper when I’m working on a new assignment to give myself more freedom in organizing ideas.

What advice do you have for writers?

When all else fails and you feel stuck, talk it out with someone! Whether it is someone at The Writing Center or a friend, don’t limit yourself to being the only person who reads the work. Even if it is something that might not make sense or needs prior knowledge on the subject, I’ve found that sometimes writing can get lonely and quiet, especially when you’re stuck. Talking always helps with making realizations about the piece and finding a new way to look at your writing.