"I'm Mayra! In college, I double majored in Theater Arts and Creative Writing--two disciplines of story-telling that dovetail perfectly. My parents were in the diplomatic corps, so I have the great fortune of travel and language. In addition to English, I speak and read German and Filipino fluently. My multi-cultural background drove me to pursue a master's degree in creative writing. I want to tell vital stories that bridge cultural and racial divides. After an intensive distance learning program, I received my Master of Letters degree--awarded with Distinction--from the University of Glasgow.

People like to say that reading and writing are solitary activities. This can be true, but I disagree with the negative connotation. They can be solitary acts of creativity--but in good ways. I like approaching a text or composition alone, as if I'm about to solve a puzzle. In writing, the puzzle involves voice, word choice, pacing, characterization, and drafting scenes until our stories and ideas crystalize. In reading, we analyze, investigate, and consume language to discover and connect with whole truths, worlds or knowledge. But neither literature nor writing have to be isolating pursuits. As a freelancer, I contributed to online media outlets like BrickUnderground and Domino. I have worked with professional editorial teams to produce informative, entertaining, and engaging content.

My tutoring style includes using writing exercises and prompts to get the words flowing. I give targeted reading suggestions to enrich you as a writer and reader. I give honest, practicable critique. Out of my grad school cohort I formed a workshop that continues to meet bi-monthly. In addition to workshopping fresh writing pieces, we share our current reading material to discuss elements of craft.The input I give and get from these writers from across the globe--from all walks of life--keeps my writing and reading practice vibrant. I would love to help you make such deep connections with writing and literature." less...