Brooke W
- Research Program Mentor
MFA at University of Minnesota
Expertise
Creative Writing, Journalism, Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, Memoir, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Composition, Literary Analysis, Pop Culture / Media / Art Commentary and Criticism
Bio
Hi there! I’m a Michigander with a penchant for prose and movies. I received my BA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. In the past, I was an English tutor at Oakland Community College, a writing consultant at the Sweetland Peer Writing Center, and an instructor at the University of Minnesota teaching both creative writing and composition. I've conducted academic research for SPARC: Supporting Practice in Arts, Research and Curricula and worked in marketing and communications roles for nonprofit organizations. I received my Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota, and am at work on a book of lyric nonfiction. I’m especially excited by ekphrastic work (media analysis), speculative fiction, and experimental poetry. My creative writing has been published in various literary magazines and won the Hopwood Committee’s Roy W. Cowden Memorial Fellowship for nonfiction. I love showing students that reading can be fun and that their writing holds countless possibilities!Project ideas
Creative Writing
I have taught both introductory and advanced courses. Wherever you are in your writing process, I’d like to recommend readings, and provide you with the tools and resources to take your work to the next level! I have helped students develop book-length projects, create literary journals/ zines, short stories, essays, poems, and screenplays. First, we’ll determine which genre you’d like to explore (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting) or if you’d like to create a hybrid project. We’ll discuss works in that genre, traditional approaches, and experimental opportunities. For example, if you wanted to write a short story, we’d discuss a range of writing styles and then focus on the plot, characters, pacing, and themes in your writing. I’ll ask you to consider your goals for your project. If you’re still figuring out what you’d like to write about, don’t worry: I can help you brainstorm or provide tips and tricks to thwart writer’s block. Next, I’ll help you find your writerly voice, and guide you through producing drafts. Then we’ll learn the art of revision, and how your work can evolve. Finally, we’ll discuss resources for further honing your craft and publication.
Academic Essays
As an English tutor and writing consultant, I have helped students with every step of the writing process from brainstorming to revising. I’ve worked with students studying business, psychology, nursing, literature, journalism, and more, assisting writers with academic essays, research papers/ journal articles, etcetera. First, we’ll determine the goal of your writing, and if you’ll need to conduct research. If you’re working on an academic essay or an analysis, I’ll ask you to consider the driving question of your paper. For instance, in a literary analysis the driving question might be: how does allegory function in the novel Life of Pi by Yann Martel? Next, we’ll decide whether or not you want to create a persuasive argument and thesis statement. We’ll consider the modes of persuasion (logos, pathos, ethos) and rhetorical modes (narration, description, exposition, and argumentation). We’ll discuss the key concepts for your assignment and options for the structure of your paper. After you create a draft, we’ll work on revising and polishing your writing.
Application Essays
I have worked with high school students, community college students, university students, ESL students, and non-traditional students, helping them draft and refine cover letters, resumes, CVs, personal statements, college application essays, scholarship/grant application essays, and more. I can help you make an impression, and create a memorable and persuasive piece of writing. For instance, if you want to apply to a scholarship, we’d start by reviewing the guidelines and your application materials. Next, we’d brainstorm topics for your application essay. Then we’d look for ways to connect your narrative with the skills the organization/ committee is looking for in potential applicants, and describe the opportunities this scholarship would provide you. Finally, we’d review and revise your essay so that it met the application requirements.
Web Content
In my editorial work and marketing communications positions, I created marketing materials, news briefs, event listings, e-newsletters, and social media posts to gain new clientele, fundraise, promote community engagement, and achieve a consistent, visually appealing design for the organization. I tailored written content to appeal to a wide range of audiences, for a variety of marketing materials and the institute’s website. A potential project could be creating copy for your website, in which case, we’d determine your target demographic, your site’s purpose, and how to write engaging online material. Next, we’d consider how the writing fits with the layout of your site and accessibility. Then we’d publish your site.
