Sadie Hanna

Sadie is a junior from Jackson, Tennessee studying English literature in the publishing concentration with a minor in Ancient Studies. On campus, she is a member of the cheer squad and currently serves on the executive team of Spires Literary Magazine. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her listening to a history podcast or watching her beloved Tennessee Volunteers.

What brought you to The Writing Center?

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been warned by a friend that they are a bad writer when they ask for my help on a paper, I’d unfortunately have quite a few dollars.   For whatever reason, many writers, including myself, have a negative impression of their writing, despite the fact that their work is almost always better than described. I wanted to join The Writing Center so that I can hopefully help other writers gain a more positive sense of their writing abilities.

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

I’m grateful that working in The Writing Center allows me to encourage and engage with each writer’s unique point of view. The process of organizing thoughts into writing can often feel overwhelming and confusing, so I enjoy being able to help writers gain confidence in their voice and ability to communicate effectively through their writing.

What challenges you most about writing?

I often have a hard time with self-doubt in the writing process. Even after carefully revising, I tend to overthink my work, occasionally leading to a series of unnecessary edits. Although these moments of uncertainty can be frustrating, I have found that they also serve as good reminders of when to take a break and refocus.

What advice do you have for writers?

When you’re not sure what to say or how to phrase it, free writing is a great way to kickstart your train of thought. By posing a question and spending a few minutes writing your immediate responses to that question, you are able to visualize your thoughts and begin forming points without the pressure of correcting your grammar and writing style