Almost Enough: Celebrating HPU Student Author Sara Anderson

The life of a college student is never a boring one. In addition to completing the vigorous demands required for that all-important degree, students need to make time to make new friends, pursue professional opportunities such as internships, indulge in self-care, participate in extra-curricular activities, and more. Over the past couple of years, HPU Libraries has noticed that some students also take on the monumental task of writing their own books. This achievement is not one that should go unnoticed, and this year, HPU Libraries would like to recognize the work of HPU student Sara Anderson. Saras book “Almost Enough: Notes from a Girl Learning How to Be, was published earlier this year, and we recently got the chance to sit down with Sara to discuss her experience of writing her book.

Question #1: What is your book about?

My book, Almost Enough, is about what it feels like to grow up constantly questioning your worth, even when everything around you looks like it should be enough. It’s a collection of personal reflections that explore identity, pressure, insecurity, and the quiet ways we try to prove ourselves to other people. A lot of it lives in that gray area where you’re not completely okay, but you’re still showing up every day and trying. It doesn’t try to give a clear solution or tie everything up perfectly, because that’s not how life works. Instead, it focuses on being honest about those in-between moments and learning how to sit with who you are without always trying to fix or change it. At its core, it’s about realizing that maybe the feeling of “almost” was never a failure, but part of becoming.

Question #2: What inspired you to write a book while still in college?

I think I realized pretty quickly that there was never going to be a perfect time to write something like this. College is such a transitional and emotional time, and I was experiencing so many things all at once that I didn’t want to wait until everything made sense to look back on it. A lot of the thoughts and feelings I was having felt too important to ignore, and writing became a way to process them in real time. It started as something very personal, just trying to understand myself a little better, but over time I realized that other people might feel the same way and just not have the words for it. That’s what pushed me to turn it into something bigger and actually share it.

Question #3: What challenges did you encounter while writing this book?

The biggest challenge was learning how to be honest without holding back. It’s easy to write something that sounds polished, but it’s much harder to write something that actually feels true, especially when you know other people are going to read it. There were a lot of moments where I had to decide whether I wanted to protect myself or say what I really meant, and that tension was constant throughout the process. On top of that, balancing school, responsibilities, and everything else going on in life made it difficult to stay consistent. But honestly, the emotional side of it was the hardest part. Writing forced me to sit with things I would normally avoid, and that was uncomfortable but also necessary.

Question #4: Describe your daily writing regimen when writing this book.

I didn’t follow a strict routine, which I think actually helped the writing feel more genuine. I wrote whenever something felt too heavy to keep in my head or when I couldn’t stop thinking about a certain idea. Sometimes that meant writing late at night, other times it was in between classes or during random moments throughout the day. There were days where I wrote a lot and days where I didn’t write at all. It wasn’t about forcing productivity; it was more about returning to it consistently over time. The process was very intuitive and based on how I was feeling rather than a set schedule.

Question #5: What lessons will you take with you that you learned while writing this book?

One of the biggest things I learned is that clarity doesn’t always come before action. A lot of the time, I started writing without fully understanding what I was trying to say, and the meaning came as I kept going. I also learned that vulnerability is uncomfortable, but it’s what makes something meaningful and real. If I held back, the writing felt empty, but when I allowed myself to be honest, it actually connected. Another important lesson was that growth doesn’t always look dramatic or obvious. Sometimes it’s quiet, and it’s just choosing to keep going even when you feel unsure. That idea has stayed with me beyond just writing.

Question #6: What words of encouragement do you have for others who are interested in or currently writing their own books?

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. A lot of people wait until they feel ready, but that feeling doesn’t always come. The most important thing is to begin, even if it feels messy or incomplete. You don’t need to sound like anyone else, and you don’t need to make it perfect. In fact, the things you hesitate to say are usually the things that matter the most. Writing is a process, and it’s okay if it changes as you go. Just keep showing up to it, trust yourself, and allow it to evolve into what it’s supposed to be.

Congratulations Sara on your meaningful achievement. Everybody has a story to tell, and we hope you will check out Sara’s book, as well as other student-written books available through HPU Libraries.

Reference:

Anderson, S (2026). “Almost Enough: Notes from a Girl Learning How to Be” Cover [Screenshot]. Amazon. https://a.co/d/0eQXwK1P