This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Chatham chapter.
If you have any interest in writing, Kenzie Saunders is your girl. An officer in multiple writing organizations on campus, Kenzie is a powerhouse for the Creative Writing department here at Chatham. We’re all absolutely in awe of how she juggles it all, so we decided to sit her down for an interview as our Campus Celebrity!
Her Campus Chatham: What are you studying right now at Chatham?
Kenzie Saunders: I’m studying Creative Writing!
What organizations are you involved with at Chatham?
I’m the Editor of the Minor Bird, Vice President of Creative Writing Club, and Vice President of Sigma Tau Delta.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was in middle school—I started in little composition notebooks writing about whatever was bothering me at the time.
What genre do you prefer?
I prefer speculative fiction! It’s like an offshoot of science fiction and fantasy set in present day.
What advice do you have for fellow writers?
Don’t be to hard on yourself if you can’t write as often as you want to; and write about what you care about.
How often do you write?
With my busy schedule this year it’s been really hard to write anything new, but I try to maintain writing in a journal to keep my mind working.
What do you love most about writing and literature?
I love the universality of it all. It really can speak to a broad audience.
What are some goals you have for post-grad?
Not to drown in aimlessness and lost hope.
How has Chatham changed your life?
Chatham has really opened my eyes to a lot of things I “knew” before but didn’t have words for. It’s given me the language to explain experiences, which has in turn informed me on what I like to write about.
What do you love most about Chatham?
I love how you can be a Senior and still constantly be making new friends because everyone here is so wonderful.
SPEED ROUND:
What’s your favorite drink at Café Rachel?
Tiramisu Chai Latte–which they don’t have anymore because they got rid of Tiramisu syrup
What’s the best advice you’ve received from a Chatham professor or faculty member?
Your education is a privilege–don’t cry over doing homework. & Write into the empty spaces in your life, the things you know are there but don’t ever talk about.
If you had to read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
If you could meet one female writer—dead or alive—who would it be?
It’s a tie between Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison
All photos courtesy of Kenzie Saunders.