"Writing shouldn't feel like getting teeth pulled at the dentist. Or picking paper shreds out of the grass with a garbage grabber. (I've done that—it's no fun, believe me.) Maybe it feels like that for you now, but I hope to help you find ways to find words much less painfully.

My name is Mara, and I graduated magna cum laude from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Literature, and a minor in Education. I am now working towards a masters in Book Publishing at PSU. Writing has been my passion since I first began a journal at age six. In college and after, I gained tutoring experience with students of a variety of ages. I volunteered with the Young Writer's Program in Santa Cruz, helping high school students find their creative voices. I also spent a year as a teacher's assistant at a Montessori school working with first, second and third graders. I have experience writing multiple types of essays, including but not limited to analytical, argumentative, research, and creative fiction. I am well versed in the rhetorical strategies needed to achieve these different styles of writing, and am comfortable with both MLA and APA format.

In addition to tutoring writing, I am also available to tutor English literature. My degree in Literature, minor in education and experience with multiple age groups has given me the necessary tools to explain literary concepts and writing strategies at the elementary, high school and college level.

Learning a new skill or getting better at an old one takes time. We don’t expect first graders to be able to write a five page essay. Similarly, you shouldn’t expect yourself to come up with glowing and golden sentences the first time you set your fingers on a keyboard. The best part about tutoring? The "aha" moment when a student finds just the right detail to add to his or her essay, or figures out the best way to phrase a sentence. I like being part of that. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have!" less...