From the editor.

When this month's Writing Lab Newsletter arrives in your mailbox, you'll be winding down as the winter break approaches. But the calls for proposals for conferences and book chapters and the announcement of the International Writing Centers Association Summer Institute for 2005 all remind us that winter break is also a time to plan for professional development in the months to come, both for tutors and writing center administrators.

This month's issue begins with the journeys of two tutors, Earnest Cox and Sandee K. McGlaun, who went on to complete doctoral degrees and specialties in teaching composition. Each of them offers a compelling narrative of the influence their tutoring had on their career choices and on their understanding of how to teach writing. Joshua Hiller emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences when tutoring ESL students, and Anne Connor and Kyle Cushman describe an integrated center where they focus on combining assistance with reading, writing, and critical thinking.

As 2004 draws to a close, I wish us all very happy holidays, large amounts of quality R&R, and a year ahead of peace, joy, and an appreciation of the special rewards of writing center work.

* Muriel Harris, editor