[INTRO MUSIC PLAYS]
KIMBERLY: Hello, hello, welcome back to Hoo's at the Writing Center! I'm Kimberly.
ELENA: I'm Elena.
KARISSA: I'm Karissa.
SARAH: And I'm Sarah
KIMBERLY: And we have the-- A wonderful guest, a special star, Frances! From the Writing Center!
FRANCES: [Laughs] Hi! [Laughs]
KIMBERLY: [Laughs]
FRANCES: Hello everyone [Laughs]
KIMBERLY: Um, we are so excited to have Frances. We were-- When we were creating this episode, we were just like, "You know who could be, like, the perfect guest for this? Frances! We would love to have, uh, her on our podcast episode!" Because we definitely wanted more of the Writing Center staff to be in our episodes and we were like, "Okay, first one, Frances, gotta be our, uh, influencer, our media, uh, like specialist like she's just everywhere like, check her out you guys [Laughs] Uh --
FRANCES: Oh my gosh I'm so honored that was so sweet [Laughs]
KIMBERLY: [Laughs] Um, of course, of course! We've gotta-- We've gotta hype up, uh, our, our amazing-- Thank you for like, spending time with us, you know. Uh, on this fine afternoon [Laughs]
FRANCES: Of course
KIMBERLY: So, in this episode, for our wonderful listeners, we wanted to talk about something that isn't usually associated with the Writing Center, which is creative writing. Most of the work we do is centered on academic writing, but we're hoping to shed a little light on the creative community at SU. There are obviously so many benefits with practicing creative writing and there, uh, are a lot of ways to share it with others, and there are a lot of ways to, uh, get into it during quarantine and get involved with creative writing especially on- or off-campus or under these circumstances, through Zoom. So, yeah, we just wanted to dedicate an episode about creative writing and we wanted to bring, uh, the fantastic Frances to talk to us about-- Cause she works for The Spectator and she's just also, uh, an amazing human being and is also, uh, a Journalism major and Film Studies major, right? So, she's got a lot to say about creative writing. I mean, you guys, come on. Um, so, we're gonna start off with just sort of like, sort of our, uh, experience, or like, what we think about creative writing, just sort of getting a dialogue going. Um, so, we can just pose a couple questions and let the conversation flow from there so, uh, what are-- what are some benefits to creative writing?
ELENA: Um, I think that a benefit for creative writing that I found - because I used to be a Creative Writing major - I'm an English Lit major now because I kinda found that actually I really enjoyed doing creative writing more outside of the classroom, um, as sort of like, an escape from academic writing. So, I think that's what it's really useful for, for me. I like to do, like, daily haikus, actually, 'cause they're just-- they're kind of, like, a quick creative writing exercise that's really, like-- you don't have to think about it too much, I guess? Like the point of it is not to think too much about it. So, I think that's-- it's a really good, like, mindfulness kind of exercise.
SARAH: Elena, yes! [Laughs] Haikus? Yes! I've literally just been writing haikus for, like, six months, I think. I've been trying to do, like, a poem a day. Lately, I've just been getting on the haiku train. Oh my gosh I'm so excited that you like haikus--
KARISSA: I also like haikus --
ELENA: I love haikus Sarah, they're so good
SARAH: Right?! [Laughs]
FRANCES: That's so wholesome
[Laughter by everyone]
SARAH: Love that, love that
KIMBERLY: If we make an episode dedicated to haikus, should we just write haikus--
ELENA: Yeah, we totally could
KIMBERLY: --for 20 minutes?
SARAH: Yes
KIMBERLY: [Laughs] I was also gonna add in that, like, I think that creative writing is just such, uh, an amazing, uh, boost to, like, just jot down ideas. Like, it doesn't have to be a formal, like, plot. Or like a middle-- or like a beginning, middle, end. I think it's just a great way to get your thoughts down. Like, I, um, been very bad at it, but I used to keep a diary and I would just, like, write down, um, all of my thoughts and then I would have a dedicated journal to, like, writing out stories. When I was younger I thought I was going to be a filmmaker, um, but [Laughs] uh, so I had a journal dedicated to, like, "oh these are all the characters, these are all, like, the basic plot" and I kept adding to it. I would, like, put little dates, like "oh, this is the updated version" of what I've written before. Um, so I definitely haven't done a lot of creative writing since then, but like, I definitely remember as a child, just, like, being so excited, to just, like, to write something down and to, like, develop even, just, like, a-a- certain character of a story or just to have, like, a-- a very vague, very unembellished, very, uh, very new, um, and-and- fresh story. And I-I- think it's just-- creative writing is just-- I wish I'd do it more except school has been really hard to keep up with that. Um, but I think it's-it's- super beneficial and I, uh, I highly encourage-- you don't have to be a Creative Writing major. You don't have to be, like, a creative person in general. I think anyone can do creative writing.
FRANCES: Yeah, so, for as long as I can remember, like, I have always been a big fan of creative writing. Uh, even when I was a kid I just always escaped using books and shows and movies just anything where a fictional world, like, came out of someone's little brain and they were able to, like, put pen to paper and bring that to life. I've just always appreciated that and there was always been a source of comfort and stress relief for me. Um, first, like, reading creative writing and then once I started really appreciating it and reading more books, um, reading more, just texts in general, I guess. Writing creatively was a way for then to me, like, put my, like, jumbled thoughts onto paper as well. Um, you know it's always been, like, really helpful to, like-- I feel like I over-romanticize things a lot too, which is like, which is fair when you're a kid, but I guess when you're an adult it's, like, "Gah she's doing too much", but you know, like, it's nice to sort of, over-exaggerate or, like, make things as the way you wish they were, I guess. And I think creative writing, like, really helped with that, like, to be able to, like, come up with a scenario or, like, a story or just anything in your life and, like, finding that inspiration in the, like, mundane, like, boring parts of your life and to make something really, like, fruitful and, like, beautiful and have this, like, closure to it. Um, at least that's, like, some-- my favorite kind of creative writing. Um, but it's just so-- I-I- don't know, I just love anything that has to do with, like, creating original stories or, just, like, bringing stories to life. So, I don't know, creative writing has always been my truest passion, I guess. I would never want to make, like, a career out of it, just 'cause I feel like I'd get really burnt out, but I do know that it's always helped me through whatever, like, to just turn to writing, or to turn to my own writing and jot it down myself or to find someone else's. That's always been, like, my favorite part about creative writing.
KIMBERLY: That was just so poetic. [Laughs] Tears to my eyes, I just-- Wow.
FRANCES: Thank you!
[FRANCES and KIMBERLY laugh]
KIMBERLY: Uh, what about you Karissa? What are your experiences?
KARISSA: Yeah, um, I was never really into creative writing as a kid, like, it was just really hard to-- I have all these authors that I looked up to and, I was, like, "Oh my gosh I'll never, like, be as good as them", like, I can never have this, like, crazy extravagant idea that's gonna enthrall other people and, like, really get them engaged, but, um, one thing that I did start doing in high school was journaling a lot and then the more I started journaling the more, like, it turned into, like, poetry and just, like, drawing in my journal even and, like, writing about, like, the pictures and stuff that I drew or-- Um, like Frances even talked about, like, that romanticizing aspect, like, if something happened, like, if I was feeling something, like-- Not even just writing, like, "I am sad", but, like, just really going in and being, like, descriptive about, like, the sadness or, like, the happiness or whatever I'm feeling, and like, it's just kind of, like, something I loved and that was journaling and, like, writing poetry. It just, like, evolved into, like, this just huge creative writing outlet that was super comforting and, like, super awesome to have and-- Even now it's, like, something that I just love to do and, like, look back on the pages in my journal and find, like, just all the random crap that I've, like, written or, like, drawn and stuff inside of it and, like, revisiting it for inspiration and just, like, having that cycle of, just like, all these different raw and crazy stuff and actually getting them into a tangible medium has been, like, a really-- Just like a really interesting and creative experience. 'Cause I never thought of myself as an ultra-creative person, um, but just, like, being able to have that source of inspiration and that outlet for that creativity even though it has never been something that was, like, super-super- prevalent in my life. I feel, like, just being able to grow in that and-- Has been, like, a really fruitful experience for myself.
KIMBERLY: Sorry you guys, I was just so teared up
FRANCES: Could not agree more--
KIMBERLY: I know, I just-- I'm just-- Wow [Laughs] The power, her mind --
[Laughter by everyone]
KIMBERLY: — Her words
SARAH: I think I was kind of like Karissa, like, I, um, I don't know, like, I honestly cannot draw for, like, the life of me so when I think creative I always think of visual art, so I'm, like, "Oh I'm not really creative, I'm not really an artist" blah blah blah. But then I also started journaling in high school. I remember my high school senior year I watched, oh my goodness, I forgot what YouTuber it was but it was, like, her flipping through her journal and it was really-- First off, like, how vulnerable that is to share, like, that with the world. But also, um-- It was really-- Because I got to see-- There wasn't-- She emphasized that the-- There wasn't a pressure when journaling and I felt that a lot of people, when they're journaling, are like, "I don't-- I don't really wanna do it because, like [unintelligible]", "I don't really want to write every day" or whatever. But, like, it's not necessarily, like, a pressured thing, for me at least. Uh, like, just write "[unintelligible]" And I write what I want to write. No matter how long or how short, [unintelligible] style, like-- Just the lack of pressure is really nice, but I do-- I did take, like, an "Intro to Creative Writing" class my, like, Fall, freshman year and, like, they placed me in a class, as they do Fall Quarter, and, like, after that class I, um, really, like, looked into, like, the writing program here and, like, the creative writing program so, like, now, I'm a Writing Studies minor because of that class and just, like, um it was really nice. I think honestly Creative Writing classes has pros and cons. Like, con, it's, like, oh you kind of feel forced to, like, write constantly and that can be kind of, like, a burden, but also, 'cause you're writing so constantly, you get a lot of good content, um, no matter if you believe that it's good content or not, like, just the act of writing at such a consistent basis is really helpful, I think, for at least my writing process.
FRANCES: Yeah, I just wanted to say, like, it's cool that we're talking about how we started off, like, journaling and that's how it kind of got us into this creative writing process because then it's, like, really cool to also see that creative writing isn't also just for, like, an audience. It can be for yourself too as just a way to let you process things and feel things out, I guess, and just, like, let you know that even though we can't, like, depict what's going on in our life, like, visually, through, like, images or drawings or, like, other kinds of art, like, language is an art, too, and to be able to, like, describe that is, like, a really really really cool thing, so--
KIMBERLY: I-I- really loved "language is an art". I think that was, was just-- Wow [Laughs]. I'm so glad that we did this episode and, um, I'm so glad that we got to talk about creative writing because it's something that, like-- It's sort of disregarded in, like, college, like, you think at that point you're, like, "I'm all about academic writing" unless you're, like, specifically an English major, or, like, a Creative Writing major and they think that it's all discarded over there, but it's not. Like, I mean, I think that's part of the reason why that we have-- As-as- extraneous as they are, UCORs also are an opportunity - depending on which UCOR you have - to have, like, sort of exercise and practice that creative writing aspect in college, like, maintaining it even if you're not, like, a, sole, like, Creative Writing major or an English major or, like, an art student that would, you know, uh, use, uh-uh- "language as an art" as Frances said. Um, but yeah, I'm just so happy that we're having this episode because I think creative writing-- I think we're all-- We all have roots in it and I think that, uh, it's important to bring up.
KARISSA: Sorry Frances for outing you, but I just had a question, um, because I know that, like, asking people about creative writing they kind of just go to, like, short stories, or, like, poetry, things like that, but I know in class the other day that you mentioned you were working on, like, a script or writing a screenplay. Um, so, is that kind of, like, an outlet for creative writing and, like, what does that look like for you and your life?
FRANCES: Oh my gosh I can't believe you paid attention to that, that's so sweet [Laughs]. Um, yeah, so, screen-- So, yeah, I'm working on a screen-- Well, I just-- Okay, I'm not working because my laptop isn't working but I decided that I would-- I-I- wanted to start creative, like, writing creatively again because I just-- Like I said I've always found that escape in creating these stories and, like, over-romanticizing them. Um, so, yeah, I would say that, like, writing a screenplay or, like, doing screenwriting, um, is definitely, like-- I took a screenwriting class, um, a few years ago-- I can't even-- Wow, time is irrelevant. But, I took a screenwriting class, like, one Fall quarter once upon a time, um, and I just, like, fell in love with it. Like, I grew up always wanting to write novels and then in high school I tried my hand at poetry and then once I, like, really figured out in college that I loved film and loved the way that, like, scripts are written and found, like, a technique to them and really found, like, a form of creative writing that, like, really works for me and, like, my short attention span. Like, I-I- really wanted to stick with it and I tried to write a screenplay-- I wrote the first act and I just never touched it again. But, now, I, like, [Laughs] in the midst of quarantine I really feel the need to, like, get creative and, like, take some time to channel that into something now and, like, I-I- don't know I just, like, I've been watching a lot of rom-coms lately and I just think it would be so cute to just write a rom-com where once again, I over-romanticize something and let something in my life happen that, like, has never happened before but I would just love to see characters, like, embody that, yeah. So, yeah, I've been thinking about that a lot. I have, like, multiple screenplay ideas, but am I ever gonna write them? Who knows! We'll see. [Laughs] But, yeah, that's what I'm planning on doing right now.
KIMBERLY: I can absolutely see [you] definitely writing a screenplay. I think that would be something that I would love to watch and I'm sure many of us would love to watch especially 'cause, like, you-- We worked with you and, we're like, "oh man that would be just-- Wow". I actually want to bring up a-a- little-- Short little question before we move onto the next section. Um, of just about, like, some tips on how people can get started with creative writing because I think that's really important and I think that some people may struggle with, like-like- just starting out on, like, paper or just, like, even having a-a- thought to delve more into or to get more detail into and to, like, flesh out? Um, so, I'm just wondering, like, what are-- What are some tips that you guys would have for people who would be interested in creative writing or just having writer's block or--
ELENA: Well, I-- I don't just write haikus, I also write--
KIMBERLY: [Laughs]
ELENA: --Like, novel-length things. Um, and I think that the reason that I started writing longer things is because I started out with poetry, um, but then started writing longer stories because the dream is to be a novelist, like, we'll see. Um, but I think that everyday-- Something that helps with writer's block is that, like, it's really cheesy, but you just need to, like, push through it-- Like, you just have to keep writing. Like, even if you're writing and you're like, "this is the absolute worst thing I've ever created" like, you need to keep doing it because if you stop then you're just, like, you're never going to get past that. So, I think that's maybe something that gets people really down when they're starting out with creative writing, when they're like, writing and they just don't like anything that they're making. A lot of it is really about, like, you need to keep practicing and sort of, I guess, like, exercising that muscle because it is, like, really worth it, I think, when you have something and you look at it and read it back and you're like, "yeah this is-- This is what I meant to do". You know?
KARISSA: I think for me, like [inaudible] Like, having started getting into creative writing through journaling-- The big thing for me is, just like Elena said, just writing down-- Like, if I sit down, I'm like, "oh I kinda feel like journaling but I don't have anything to write about," like, I'll literally just write about what happened in my day, like, especially now if I can't find that inspiration, I'll be, like, "Today, I woke up. And then I took my dog for a walk. And then I made myself potato tacos." And, like, I'll just keep writing until I find something and then I'll be, like, "oh wait! Like, I can elaborate on this a little more" or just, like, finding inspiration, like, Pinterest is my all time favorite app, like, I think I spend most of my time on Pinterest just because [unintelligible] It's the easiest thing you can find that will just inspire you - it's crazy - and I find a lot of inspiration through music and just, I mean, like, things that I see and stuff like that-- Um, so, yeah, that's just kind of finding it without really searching for it, like, just flipping through Pinterest and finding inspiration there or, like, on social media, like, if you see something that, like, sparks an idea or, like, makes you feel something-- Just, like, even just jotting it down as an idea and revisiting it later is something that I found super helpful, just for, like, getting started or, like, finding that inspiration that you need.
SARAH: Yeah, like, literally, I think of hundred-hundred- of notes, like, in my phone, like, just of two words, or, like, one sentence, just, like, something that I heard or that I really liked or, like, literally, it's really [unintelligible] Having a conversation with my friends and they say something that I really like, like I'm "ooh wait I have to write that down" and they're like, "no" [Laughs] but I do it anyways and it's wonderful! Like, sometimes, like-- It's just the things that you hear and, like, what inspires you for sure and I also just go on Pinterest to, like-- Even those, just, like, Instagram poetry kind of, like, posts or anything like that, like, anything that will inspire you to write, like, you should write it down. Honesty. I really find that helpful.
FRANCES: I can also attest to the multiple notes in my Notes app, I guess, um [Clears throat]. And I think-- I have, like, two pieces of advice for this because I'm always struggling with writer's block. A lot of my writer's block stems from the fact that I constantly have ideas running through my head and ideas popping up, but I also forget them so easily which is, like, such a [Laughs] so unfortunate because, like, I-- I know I've had, like, millions of ideas run through but then two minutes later I'm, like, "wait … I don't even remember what I thought". Um, so I've been really reliant on my Notes app to just write down, like, even just one word or even just one sentence or phrase that kind of embodies, like, a theme or, like, motif that I'm, like, going for in a-- In a piece of creative writing-- So, I always try to make sure that I have, like, my Notes app ready, I'm like, "oh my god I got to get this down before it literally leaves my brain!" Um, so, that's always something that I've been, like, trying to keep up with. And then, I follow a lot of blogs on Tumblr that are, like, "Creative Writing Prompts" or, like, "Silly, like--" [Laughs] And it'll be, like, "Imagine you are a superhero who just realized their enemy is--" like, I don't know, like, someone they know or whatever. "--how do you go about, like, the situation?" Like, oh gosh, how do I go about the situation? And then that serves them, like, a little short story or, like, poem or whatever else that you want to write. Um, so yeah just, like, using social media to your advantage and, like, finding those hashtags, finding those blogs, finding just anyone who can, like, help you inspire or, like, give you prompts, um, is something really really helpful too.
KIMBERLY: Throwback to Tumblr I love that so much. I-I- followed a very specific, uh, page that actually did creative writing prompts every single day and I didn't really-- I didn't do them as often, but, like, when I saw them I was be, like, "ooh this would be really cool" because I thought that I was going to be, like, the edgy, like-- Like, famous on Tumblr, but, like, unknown kind of thing. Um, yeah, that was-- That was my dream in high school. [Laughs]. Um, uh, but yeah, I think-- I think these are all such, uh, valid ideas. I think I-I- really loved the, like, not being worried if it's a good idea just having an idea down, and like, different ways that we could use media to, like, help us sort of stimulate that and, like, um, and, like, the idea that writing is, uh, an exercise that you have to, like, you know, uh, work it out and-- And, like, exercise it to a point where you start feeling more comfortable with, uh, just writing creatively. Uh, and also just want to point out that Elena, you can totally be a novelist. Like, hands down. Like-- [Laughs]
ELENA: Thank you, thank you, we're trying.
KIMBERLY: No doubt about it. But yeah so-- So those are some just fun tips for our wonderful listeners out there if you're feeling a little bit of a writer's block or you're just, like, struggling to get into creative writing, these are just some, uh, helpful, handy tips. Of course, we encourage you to, uh, find whatever fits most-- Uh, fits best with you, and is, uh, most comfortable with you. Um, we actually wanted to dedicate a little, uh, section of this episode to talk with Frances about The Spectator and to, uh, as a transition into talking about National Poetry Month. Uh, we have some notable mentions from our wonderful staff, um, but yeah, Frances, do you want to talk to us a little about The Spectator?
FRANCES: Why, yes of course, I would love to! [Laughs] Um, yeah, so, The Spectator is Seattle University's student-run newspaper. Um, and I am one of the news editors on there. This is my third, yeah, third year being involved in The Spectator. I started off as just a measly little sophomore, um, wanting to get some experience in journalism and I walked into the office in the Campion basement and I was, like, "hello! I'm ready to write an article, I guess!" Um, and then from there I just, like, came-- I went to, like, every weekly meeting, um, started getting accustomed to, like, how to write, like, journalistically. Um, and then I guess as you can see made my way up. And, uh, last year, I was Managing Editor and this year, now I'm the News Editor. So, I've dealt with, like, a lot of different parts of The Spectator. Um, obviously, this year I just deal with the news section but as the Managing Editor last year, um, I handled the "Features" stories and columns and, uh-- So, I've worked with a lot of writers and I've also had a lot of criticism on my own writing, so I've, like, seen it all which has been really cool, but-- I love The Spectator because, like, once again it is student-run and so, you pitch your own stories that you want to write that are relevant to, like, you / the Seattle U community whether it is a news story or "Arts and Entertainment" culture or even, like, a sports story. And then of course we take, like, opinion pieces as well, but, um-- With news stories, it's not like you're writing creatively which is-- It's a bummer, but the news is important, but it's really cool to see the "Arts and Entertainment" section and the different kinds of art that people bring in and, like, want to write about and talk about and pitch, like, it's really cool to see the kinds of art that everyone else is sort of, like, indulging in and, like, really passionate about. But regardless, like, you still get-- You still get practice in writing and just writing either for yourself or for the audience. Um, and I really appreciate the fact that it has helped me become, like, a better writer, like, whether or not I was reviewing-- Like, I reviewed, like, the Rick and Morty, like, "Szechuan Sauce", like, craze one time, and I was, like, "oh my gosh this is funny and silly, but, like, it's based off a piece of pop culture" and then I can do, like, a 180 and go write about, like, scandals at Seattle U, I guess. So, it really [Laughs] And also, it gives you life experiences that fuel [Laughs] Sort of, like, creative stories that can, like, happen in my head, I guess. Um, like, "oh maybe what if it worked out this way or what if it didn't?" But, yeah, I think The Spectator is, like, a really good, um, organization on campus where even if you just want to practice writing in general, like, you can come to us, um, pitch your story, let us know where you, like-- What you specialize in or what you're super passionate about and, like, become a really cool writer journalist kinda thing. Um, so I really love them. And then, I have an additional plug, um, because I'm also super involved with KXSU and they also have a blog as well full of music reporters and arts reporters and I was an arts reporter one time too, um, covering, like, films and anything else, but that's also a way to get involved with writing creatively on campus. And I think it's been really cool and I met a lot of awesome people through The Spectator and KXSU as well so there's that, even if you don't, like, necessarily, like, find anything else, like, at least the people really keep you in it.
KIMBERLY: Well, thank you for that! You heard it here folx, you guys can be-- Be a part of The Spectator, be a part of KXSU if you want to have some amazing creative writing opportunities. We do want to do, uh, an ode to, uh, National Poetry Month 'cause as of right now we're recording-- It's in-- It's May, technically, but we wanted to do a little shoutout to National Poetry Month and so we have some poets and poems recommended by some of the members of our Writing Center. So, if you're interested here is what they said:
We've got a recommendation for Mary Oliver, uh, she often writes about nature and describes life experiences using nature metaphors. And, uh, a recommendation for, if you're interested, is The Summer Day by Mary Oliver. And then we have Audre Lorde's Movement Song, it has some incredible imagery. Emily Dickinson's poems Tell all the truth but tell it slant and Hope is a thing with feathers are, uh, fun reads. And Maya Angelou's Still, I Rise. Incredibly hopeful, very powerful, very moving. Uh, won't you celebrate with me? by Lucille Clifton. And, uh, all these-- On-- Available online for free. And then we have some, uh, Instagram-- Some social media, uh, poets and we have morganharpernichols and emotions_therapy on Instagram, they have some really great, uh, short poems and phrases that are just really heartwarming. And we have a recommendation of Tom Leveille?
KARISSA: Yeah! That was actually my recommendation, um, he started out on Twitter. He has a Twitter account and I found him, like, right out when I was in high school and his Twitter "@" currently is harboredlight. Um, I don't know that he publishes much of his work on there as he used to because he does have a book out now that's called Down With The Ship. It came out in 2016 but a lot of his poetry is just really in-depth and just, like, so emotional but in his own unique way-- Just the way he chooses to describe different emotions and different life experiences is really cool. Um, and he also does some really powerful stand-up, like, if you found on YouTube if you just search his name, um, but I thought he would be a good recommendation because his poetry's a little bit different, it's not, like, what you see, um, just out there everyday because he did start sharing it on social media and then turned it into something a little bit more. Um, but yeah, I would say check him out if you're interested.
KIMBERLY: We will put all of these, uh, amazing poets, uh, in our description for the podcast episode just in case if you missed it or just in case if spelling the name might be a little difficult that-- Which is totally fair. Uh, we actually also wanted to give Frances the floor to talk about, uh, Cameron's Instagram, if you wanted to plug in for her.
FRANCES: Yes, absolutely! Cameron Payne is my very best friend in the entire world. Um, and she is a true poet, I would say, and she has a whole Instagram dedicated to her poetry and it's @cnp.docx, like, "d-o-c-x" like as if it were a Word Document when you save a file which is really quirky and cute [Laughs]. Um, but yeah, she-- She's an amazing poet and, like, she writes all about, um, like, love, and relationships, but also, like, identity, and, like, self-love, and, like, resilience, and, um, like, culture and all that stuff. So, she-- She's an amazing poet and, like, her little posts, like, she'll type out the poem or, like, write it out or whatever and add really cute, like, graphics, um, or, like, pictures or collages or paintings or drawings, like, anything-- She's super creative and is just-- Has always used art as an outlet and her Instagram-- Her poetry Instagram is just really cool and, like, she participated in all of, um, National Poetry Writing Month and did all the little prompts and the hashtags and all that stuff so, she was really, like, active in it and, like, it's been so cool seeing her poetry grow every single day too. Even just through this whole month, but just in knowing her for almost three years, which doesn't seem like a long time, like, I feel, like, I've known her forever. Um, it's just been, like, really really awesome to see her grow as a writer and, like, see her use this as an outlet and as a form of, like, catharsis. So, yeah, I-- I highly recommend you follow her if you just want, like, really, like, cute, like, not too, like, pretentious, like, metaphorical poetry, like, real poetry that still hits you, you know?
KIMBERLY: Yes, I can also attest to that. I love her poetry so much and, um, I just also wanted to give you the opportunity because I know that, uh, you're also her roommate so [Laughs] Um, um--
FRANCES: She's across the hall from me right now!
KIMBERLY: Perfect--
[KIMBERLY and FRANCES laugh]
KIMBERLY: I also want to shout out sydneymhaas if you are also looking for another, uh, local Seattle U student Instagram poetry page, it's sydneymhaas -- "h-a-a-s". She also did the "one-day-a-prompt" for National Poetry Month. Her-- I can, um, attest to it-- It's very-- It's very well-versed, very beautifully spoken. I've heard her perform before it's-it's- amazing and highly recommend it. We will put all these poet names-- po-- po-et- names, poet's names? In the description so you can check them out. Is there anyone else that you guys want to shout out?
SARAH: I have one! Her name is-- Okay, wait, sorry, she's not a SU student just to be clear, I hope that's okay, um [Laughs]. Her name is Cleo Wade, so that's "c-l-e-o" and then "w-a-d-e" and she, um, is, yeah, she's a poet-- She's an Instagram poet. [unintelligible] Her books are out now with her poetry called [unintelligible] Um, very simple, it's, like, her handwriting and it's just, like, beautiful. She's, like, a woman of color, activist, amazing [unintelligible] being, um, but, yeah, I would highly, highly recommend following her and she's [unintelligible] on Instagram [unintelligible] But, for sure give her a follow, she's-- She's such a goodie. She's a good one.
KIMBERLY: We will have a whole list of them all-all-all- in there and, uh, we highly recommend that if you have the time and if you're interested in poetry to start out with these, uh, group of amazing people, but of course to branch out and to, uh, widen your network of poems and poetry. So, in closing, we wanted to offer some resources on campus and off campus, uh, for creative writing outlets or creative writing opportunities even, uh-- We-We- will say this in-- Even though in quarantine, like, there are definitely, uh, ways that you can be involved in creative writing, um, even through Zoom or even just virtually online. Uh, so, on campus we have the Fragments magazine, um, if anyone wants-- Wants to, uh, talk more about that we can totally--
ELENA: For, um--
KIMBERLY: --okay, um [Laughs] No, go ahead!
ELENA: Yeah, no, so, Fragments-- I, uh, used to be on the Fragments team. I'm not-- I'm sure they're still doing some form of submissions now. Um, but basically every volume has kind of, like, a theme and it's usually a one-word theme and it gives you a lot of freedom to just write either poetry or prose and you can just submit it and it's really cool because if you get published then you can-- Just, you can have your work in a book that you can share with others and it's a really cool opportunity.
KIMBERLY: Thank you, I wasn't going to do it justice, so I was making sure that someone could do it better than me. So, we have the Fragments magazine, uh, we obviously have The Spectator, we have KXSU. Uh, and off campus we have the Hugo House, um, and they offer a variety of writing classes, which are still available, uh, they have been moved online, you can find them at hugohouse.org/classes/course-catalog and-- uh, or you can just, uh, look it up. And then, we have the, uh, Seattle Writes, um, so, even though Seattle Public Library is closed for the foreseeable future there are still many resources available for the public who may want to improve upon their writing including, uh, recommend reading materials on writing and publishing genres, how-to video courses, a Seattle Writes podcast with tips and tricks for writing and a list of local writing organizations, many of which are offering online classes. We have, uh, Rain City Slam, um, and that is the local Seattle poetry slam open to anyone. And then, uh, yeah. Uh, we also have Beyond Seattle which Elena, uh, can talk more about.
ELENA: Sure, so, Beyond Seattle Resources just, like, resources out there in the internet void, which we are all now in, so, there's tons of them and one, if you're really more interested in, like, actually getting published and getting in touch with, like, a network of published writers and, like, active writers in their communities-- pw.org, which is "Poets & Writers", is a really great resource for finding writing contests, MFA programs, and even, like, literary magazines and literary agents. Um, on a more chill level, LitHub has resources and writings to get you connected to creative writing communities or you can just, kinda, like, take a peek into them if you're curious about what-- Like, what goes on there. And that's just lithub.com. And then, we talked a little bit earlier about prompt websites, um, so, a few of my favorites are languageisavirus.com, which is really great for brainstorming, um, and they give you fun prompts so, they'll give you prompts and then they'll also give you specific prompts for, like, characters, like, they'll give you character traits, um, and yeah, it's just a really cool kind of, like, build your story from the ground up type of website. And then, another really fun and kind of, like, unconventional brainstorming resource is brainpickings.org. And Brain Pickings is the best when inspiration is just not coming to you, like, your brain's just empty. It's this blog and it's run by this one lady, Maria Popova, and you can scroll through pretty much endless blog posts, which are just absolutely wild. Just on, like, the weirdest most unexpected topics that you've never thought of before. And it just makes brainstorming a lot easier for me, personally.
KIMBERLY: So, those are just some resources that we have on campus and off campus and online. You can look up all these different, uh, organizations or online, uh, tools, uh, for more information. Unfortunately, we do have to end the podcast, but we hope that this was a helpful way in opening up the conversation about creative writing in college! If you would like to see more content or have ideas for upcoming episodes, please email us at-- Is it [email protected]? I think that's our email. Uh, and tune in next time! We also have a blog at suwritingcenter.weebly.com for all the wonderful blog posts by our wonderful, wonderful staff. Uh, we want to give a special thank you to Fran-- Uh, Frances, for coming with us on this episode and, uh, just being a wonderful human being overall, um, and yeah, just any-any- closing messages you have for our viewers out there? Want to throw out some promo? Or anything?
FRANCES: Yeah, um, I just wanted to say thank you for having me. I, like, so appreciate it. It's been really fun talking with you guys and it's so good to see your faces too. I just, like, really miss being in the center and sitting at our little table in front of Alex's office and, like, joking off like this, but, um, I guess this will do. But, yeah, I just wanted to say, like, I love the work you are all doing with the podcast, like, it's so good, so cute and, like, I just-- I'm into podcasts now because of you, so, that's all I have to say! [Laughs] But yeah, just keep up the good work and I just hope everyone knows that, like, the Writing Center is the best place ever and, like, I really really love everyone and, like, everything we stand for, so, keep it up!
KIMBERLY: Wow, my heart. [Laughs] Well, thank you, so, with that, this has been-- Thank you for listening to us! And this has been-- And so, what we do is we all unmute ourselves and we do a "hoo, hoo's at the Writing Center" as our closing so-- Thank you! This has been another episode on--
EVERYONE: Hoo's, hoo's at the Writing Center!
[Everyone laughs]
KIMBERLY: Alright, goodbye everybody, thank you very much! [Laughs]
FRANCES: Bye!
[OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS]
KIMBERLY: Hello, hello, welcome back to Hoo's at the Writing Center! I'm Kimberly.
ELENA: I'm Elena.
KARISSA: I'm Karissa.
SARAH: And I'm Sarah
KIMBERLY: And we have the-- A wonderful guest, a special star, Frances! From the Writing Center!
FRANCES: [Laughs] Hi! [Laughs]
KIMBERLY: [Laughs]
FRANCES: Hello everyone [Laughs]
KIMBERLY: Um, we are so excited to have Frances. We were-- When we were creating this episode, we were just like, "You know who could be, like, the perfect guest for this? Frances! We would love to have, uh, her on our podcast episode!" Because we definitely wanted more of the Writing Center staff to be in our episodes and we were like, "Okay, first one, Frances, gotta be our, uh, influencer, our media, uh, like specialist like she's just everywhere like, check her out you guys [Laughs] Uh --
FRANCES: Oh my gosh I'm so honored that was so sweet [Laughs]
KIMBERLY: [Laughs] Um, of course, of course! We've gotta-- We've gotta hype up, uh, our, our amazing-- Thank you for like, spending time with us, you know. Uh, on this fine afternoon [Laughs]
FRANCES: Of course
KIMBERLY: So, in this episode, for our wonderful listeners, we wanted to talk about something that isn't usually associated with the Writing Center, which is creative writing. Most of the work we do is centered on academic writing, but we're hoping to shed a little light on the creative community at SU. There are obviously so many benefits with practicing creative writing and there, uh, are a lot of ways to share it with others, and there are a lot of ways to, uh, get into it during quarantine and get involved with creative writing especially on- or off-campus or under these circumstances, through Zoom. So, yeah, we just wanted to dedicate an episode about creative writing and we wanted to bring, uh, the fantastic Frances to talk to us about-- Cause she works for The Spectator and she's just also, uh, an amazing human being and is also, uh, a Journalism major and Film Studies major, right? So, she's got a lot to say about creative writing. I mean, you guys, come on. Um, so, we're gonna start off with just sort of like, sort of our, uh, experience, or like, what we think about creative writing, just sort of getting a dialogue going. Um, so, we can just pose a couple questions and let the conversation flow from there so, uh, what are-- what are some benefits to creative writing?
ELENA: Um, I think that a benefit for creative writing that I found - because I used to be a Creative Writing major - I'm an English Lit major now because I kinda found that actually I really enjoyed doing creative writing more outside of the classroom, um, as sort of like, an escape from academic writing. So, I think that's what it's really useful for, for me. I like to do, like, daily haikus, actually, 'cause they're just-- they're kind of, like, a quick creative writing exercise that's really, like-- you don't have to think about it too much, I guess? Like the point of it is not to think too much about it. So, I think that's-- it's a really good, like, mindfulness kind of exercise.
SARAH: Elena, yes! [Laughs] Haikus? Yes! I've literally just been writing haikus for, like, six months, I think. I've been trying to do, like, a poem a day. Lately, I've just been getting on the haiku train. Oh my gosh I'm so excited that you like haikus--
KARISSA: I also like haikus --
ELENA: I love haikus Sarah, they're so good
SARAH: Right?! [Laughs]
FRANCES: That's so wholesome
[Laughter by everyone]
SARAH: Love that, love that
KIMBERLY: If we make an episode dedicated to haikus, should we just write haikus--
ELENA: Yeah, we totally could
KIMBERLY: --for 20 minutes?
SARAH: Yes
KIMBERLY: [Laughs] I was also gonna add in that, like, I think that creative writing is just such, uh, an amazing, uh, boost to, like, just jot down ideas. Like, it doesn't have to be a formal, like, plot. Or like a middle-- or like a beginning, middle, end. I think it's just a great way to get your thoughts down. Like, I, um, been very bad at it, but I used to keep a diary and I would just, like, write down, um, all of my thoughts and then I would have a dedicated journal to, like, writing out stories. When I was younger I thought I was going to be a filmmaker, um, but [Laughs] uh, so I had a journal dedicated to, like, "oh these are all the characters, these are all, like, the basic plot" and I kept adding to it. I would, like, put little dates, like "oh, this is the updated version" of what I've written before. Um, so I definitely haven't done a lot of creative writing since then, but like, I definitely remember as a child, just, like, being so excited, to just, like, to write something down and to, like, develop even, just, like, a-a- certain character of a story or just to have, like, a-- a very vague, very unembellished, very, uh, very new, um, and-and- fresh story. And I-I- think it's just-- creative writing is just-- I wish I'd do it more except school has been really hard to keep up with that. Um, but I think it's-it's- super beneficial and I, uh, I highly encourage-- you don't have to be a Creative Writing major. You don't have to be, like, a creative person in general. I think anyone can do creative writing.
FRANCES: Yeah, so, for as long as I can remember, like, I have always been a big fan of creative writing. Uh, even when I was a kid I just always escaped using books and shows and movies just anything where a fictional world, like, came out of someone's little brain and they were able to, like, put pen to paper and bring that to life. I've just always appreciated that and there was always been a source of comfort and stress relief for me. Um, first, like, reading creative writing and then once I started really appreciating it and reading more books, um, reading more, just texts in general, I guess. Writing creatively was a way for then to me, like, put my, like, jumbled thoughts onto paper as well. Um, you know it's always been, like, really helpful to, like-- I feel like I over-romanticize things a lot too, which is like, which is fair when you're a kid, but I guess when you're an adult it's, like, "Gah she's doing too much", but you know, like, it's nice to sort of, over-exaggerate or, like, make things as the way you wish they were, I guess. And I think creative writing, like, really helped with that, like, to be able to, like, come up with a scenario or, like, a story or just anything in your life and, like, finding that inspiration in the, like, mundane, like, boring parts of your life and to make something really, like, fruitful and, like, beautiful and have this, like, closure to it. Um, at least that's, like, some-- my favorite kind of creative writing. Um, but it's just so-- I-I- don't know, I just love anything that has to do with, like, creating original stories or, just, like, bringing stories to life. So, I don't know, creative writing has always been my truest passion, I guess. I would never want to make, like, a career out of it, just 'cause I feel like I'd get really burnt out, but I do know that it's always helped me through whatever, like, to just turn to writing, or to turn to my own writing and jot it down myself or to find someone else's. That's always been, like, my favorite part about creative writing.
KIMBERLY: That was just so poetic. [Laughs] Tears to my eyes, I just-- Wow.
FRANCES: Thank you!
[FRANCES and KIMBERLY laugh]
KIMBERLY: Uh, what about you Karissa? What are your experiences?
KARISSA: Yeah, um, I was never really into creative writing as a kid, like, it was just really hard to-- I have all these authors that I looked up to and, I was, like, "Oh my gosh I'll never, like, be as good as them", like, I can never have this, like, crazy extravagant idea that's gonna enthrall other people and, like, really get them engaged, but, um, one thing that I did start doing in high school was journaling a lot and then the more I started journaling the more, like, it turned into, like, poetry and just, like, drawing in my journal even and, like, writing about, like, the pictures and stuff that I drew or-- Um, like Frances even talked about, like, that romanticizing aspect, like, if something happened, like, if I was feeling something, like-- Not even just writing, like, "I am sad", but, like, just really going in and being, like, descriptive about, like, the sadness or, like, the happiness or whatever I'm feeling, and like, it's just kind of, like, something I loved and that was journaling and, like, writing poetry. It just, like, evolved into, like, this just huge creative writing outlet that was super comforting and, like, super awesome to have and-- Even now it's, like, something that I just love to do and, like, look back on the pages in my journal and find, like, just all the random crap that I've, like, written or, like, drawn and stuff inside of it and, like, revisiting it for inspiration and just, like, having that cycle of, just like, all these different raw and crazy stuff and actually getting them into a tangible medium has been, like, a really-- Just like a really interesting and creative experience. 'Cause I never thought of myself as an ultra-creative person, um, but just, like, being able to have that source of inspiration and that outlet for that creativity even though it has never been something that was, like, super-super- prevalent in my life. I feel, like, just being able to grow in that and-- Has been, like, a really fruitful experience for myself.
KIMBERLY: Sorry you guys, I was just so teared up
FRANCES: Could not agree more--
KIMBERLY: I know, I just-- I'm just-- Wow [Laughs] The power, her mind --
[Laughter by everyone]
KIMBERLY: — Her words
SARAH: I think I was kind of like Karissa, like, I, um, I don't know, like, I honestly cannot draw for, like, the life of me so when I think creative I always think of visual art, so I'm, like, "Oh I'm not really creative, I'm not really an artist" blah blah blah. But then I also started journaling in high school. I remember my high school senior year I watched, oh my goodness, I forgot what YouTuber it was but it was, like, her flipping through her journal and it was really-- First off, like, how vulnerable that is to share, like, that with the world. But also, um-- It was really-- Because I got to see-- There wasn't-- She emphasized that the-- There wasn't a pressure when journaling and I felt that a lot of people, when they're journaling, are like, "I don't-- I don't really wanna do it because, like [unintelligible]", "I don't really want to write every day" or whatever. But, like, it's not necessarily, like, a pressured thing, for me at least. Uh, like, just write "[unintelligible]" And I write what I want to write. No matter how long or how short, [unintelligible] style, like-- Just the lack of pressure is really nice, but I do-- I did take, like, an "Intro to Creative Writing" class my, like, Fall, freshman year and, like, they placed me in a class, as they do Fall Quarter, and, like, after that class I, um, really, like, looked into, like, the writing program here and, like, the creative writing program so, like, now, I'm a Writing Studies minor because of that class and just, like, um it was really nice. I think honestly Creative Writing classes has pros and cons. Like, con, it's, like, oh you kind of feel forced to, like, write constantly and that can be kind of, like, a burden, but also, 'cause you're writing so constantly, you get a lot of good content, um, no matter if you believe that it's good content or not, like, just the act of writing at such a consistent basis is really helpful, I think, for at least my writing process.
FRANCES: Yeah, I just wanted to say, like, it's cool that we're talking about how we started off, like, journaling and that's how it kind of got us into this creative writing process because then it's, like, really cool to also see that creative writing isn't also just for, like, an audience. It can be for yourself too as just a way to let you process things and feel things out, I guess, and just, like, let you know that even though we can't, like, depict what's going on in our life, like, visually, through, like, images or drawings or, like, other kinds of art, like, language is an art, too, and to be able to, like, describe that is, like, a really really really cool thing, so--
KIMBERLY: I-I- really loved "language is an art". I think that was, was just-- Wow [Laughs]. I'm so glad that we did this episode and, um, I'm so glad that we got to talk about creative writing because it's something that, like-- It's sort of disregarded in, like, college, like, you think at that point you're, like, "I'm all about academic writing" unless you're, like, specifically an English major, or, like, a Creative Writing major and they think that it's all discarded over there, but it's not. Like, I mean, I think that's part of the reason why that we have-- As-as- extraneous as they are, UCORs also are an opportunity - depending on which UCOR you have - to have, like, sort of exercise and practice that creative writing aspect in college, like, maintaining it even if you're not, like, a, sole, like, Creative Writing major or an English major or, like, an art student that would, you know, uh, use, uh-uh- "language as an art" as Frances said. Um, but yeah, I'm just so happy that we're having this episode because I think creative writing-- I think we're all-- We all have roots in it and I think that, uh, it's important to bring up.
KARISSA: Sorry Frances for outing you, but I just had a question, um, because I know that, like, asking people about creative writing they kind of just go to, like, short stories, or, like, poetry, things like that, but I know in class the other day that you mentioned you were working on, like, a script or writing a screenplay. Um, so, is that kind of, like, an outlet for creative writing and, like, what does that look like for you and your life?
FRANCES: Oh my gosh I can't believe you paid attention to that, that's so sweet [Laughs]. Um, yeah, so, screen-- So, yeah, I'm working on a screen-- Well, I just-- Okay, I'm not working because my laptop isn't working but I decided that I would-- I-I- wanted to start creative, like, writing creatively again because I just-- Like I said I've always found that escape in creating these stories and, like, over-romanticizing them. Um, so, yeah, I would say that, like, writing a screenplay or, like, doing screenwriting, um, is definitely, like-- I took a screenwriting class, um, a few years ago-- I can't even-- Wow, time is irrelevant. But, I took a screenwriting class, like, one Fall quarter once upon a time, um, and I just, like, fell in love with it. Like, I grew up always wanting to write novels and then in high school I tried my hand at poetry and then once I, like, really figured out in college that I loved film and loved the way that, like, scripts are written and found, like, a technique to them and really found, like, a form of creative writing that, like, really works for me and, like, my short attention span. Like, I-I- really wanted to stick with it and I tried to write a screenplay-- I wrote the first act and I just never touched it again. But, now, I, like, [Laughs] in the midst of quarantine I really feel the need to, like, get creative and, like, take some time to channel that into something now and, like, I-I- don't know I just, like, I've been watching a lot of rom-coms lately and I just think it would be so cute to just write a rom-com where once again, I over-romanticize something and let something in my life happen that, like, has never happened before but I would just love to see characters, like, embody that, yeah. So, yeah, I've been thinking about that a lot. I have, like, multiple screenplay ideas, but am I ever gonna write them? Who knows! We'll see. [Laughs] But, yeah, that's what I'm planning on doing right now.
KIMBERLY: I can absolutely see [you] definitely writing a screenplay. I think that would be something that I would love to watch and I'm sure many of us would love to watch especially 'cause, like, you-- We worked with you and, we're like, "oh man that would be just-- Wow". I actually want to bring up a-a- little-- Short little question before we move onto the next section. Um, of just about, like, some tips on how people can get started with creative writing because I think that's really important and I think that some people may struggle with, like-like- just starting out on, like, paper or just, like, even having a-a- thought to delve more into or to get more detail into and to, like, flesh out? Um, so, I'm just wondering, like, what are-- What are some tips that you guys would have for people who would be interested in creative writing or just having writer's block or--
ELENA: Well, I-- I don't just write haikus, I also write--
KIMBERLY: [Laughs]
ELENA: --Like, novel-length things. Um, and I think that the reason that I started writing longer things is because I started out with poetry, um, but then started writing longer stories because the dream is to be a novelist, like, we'll see. Um, but I think that everyday-- Something that helps with writer's block is that, like, it's really cheesy, but you just need to, like, push through it-- Like, you just have to keep writing. Like, even if you're writing and you're like, "this is the absolute worst thing I've ever created" like, you need to keep doing it because if you stop then you're just, like, you're never going to get past that. So, I think that's maybe something that gets people really down when they're starting out with creative writing, when they're like, writing and they just don't like anything that they're making. A lot of it is really about, like, you need to keep practicing and sort of, I guess, like, exercising that muscle because it is, like, really worth it, I think, when you have something and you look at it and read it back and you're like, "yeah this is-- This is what I meant to do". You know?
KARISSA: I think for me, like [inaudible] Like, having started getting into creative writing through journaling-- The big thing for me is, just like Elena said, just writing down-- Like, if I sit down, I'm like, "oh I kinda feel like journaling but I don't have anything to write about," like, I'll literally just write about what happened in my day, like, especially now if I can't find that inspiration, I'll be, like, "Today, I woke up. And then I took my dog for a walk. And then I made myself potato tacos." And, like, I'll just keep writing until I find something and then I'll be, like, "oh wait! Like, I can elaborate on this a little more" or just, like, finding inspiration, like, Pinterest is my all time favorite app, like, I think I spend most of my time on Pinterest just because [unintelligible] It's the easiest thing you can find that will just inspire you - it's crazy - and I find a lot of inspiration through music and just, I mean, like, things that I see and stuff like that-- Um, so, yeah, that's just kind of finding it without really searching for it, like, just flipping through Pinterest and finding inspiration there or, like, on social media, like, if you see something that, like, sparks an idea or, like, makes you feel something-- Just, like, even just jotting it down as an idea and revisiting it later is something that I found super helpful, just for, like, getting started or, like, finding that inspiration that you need.
SARAH: Yeah, like, literally, I think of hundred-hundred- of notes, like, in my phone, like, just of two words, or, like, one sentence, just, like, something that I heard or that I really liked or, like, literally, it's really [unintelligible] Having a conversation with my friends and they say something that I really like, like I'm "ooh wait I have to write that down" and they're like, "no" [Laughs] but I do it anyways and it's wonderful! Like, sometimes, like-- It's just the things that you hear and, like, what inspires you for sure and I also just go on Pinterest to, like-- Even those, just, like, Instagram poetry kind of, like, posts or anything like that, like, anything that will inspire you to write, like, you should write it down. Honesty. I really find that helpful.
FRANCES: I can also attest to the multiple notes in my Notes app, I guess, um [Clears throat]. And I think-- I have, like, two pieces of advice for this because I'm always struggling with writer's block. A lot of my writer's block stems from the fact that I constantly have ideas running through my head and ideas popping up, but I also forget them so easily which is, like, such a [Laughs] so unfortunate because, like, I-- I know I've had, like, millions of ideas run through but then two minutes later I'm, like, "wait … I don't even remember what I thought". Um, so I've been really reliant on my Notes app to just write down, like, even just one word or even just one sentence or phrase that kind of embodies, like, a theme or, like, motif that I'm, like, going for in a-- In a piece of creative writing-- So, I always try to make sure that I have, like, my Notes app ready, I'm like, "oh my god I got to get this down before it literally leaves my brain!" Um, so, that's always something that I've been, like, trying to keep up with. And then, I follow a lot of blogs on Tumblr that are, like, "Creative Writing Prompts" or, like, "Silly, like--" [Laughs] And it'll be, like, "Imagine you are a superhero who just realized their enemy is--" like, I don't know, like, someone they know or whatever. "--how do you go about, like, the situation?" Like, oh gosh, how do I go about the situation? And then that serves them, like, a little short story or, like, poem or whatever else that you want to write. Um, so yeah just, like, using social media to your advantage and, like, finding those hashtags, finding those blogs, finding just anyone who can, like, help you inspire or, like, give you prompts, um, is something really really helpful too.
KIMBERLY: Throwback to Tumblr I love that so much. I-I- followed a very specific, uh, page that actually did creative writing prompts every single day and I didn't really-- I didn't do them as often, but, like, when I saw them I was be, like, "ooh this would be really cool" because I thought that I was going to be, like, the edgy, like-- Like, famous on Tumblr, but, like, unknown kind of thing. Um, yeah, that was-- That was my dream in high school. [Laughs]. Um, uh, but yeah, I think-- I think these are all such, uh, valid ideas. I think I-I- really loved the, like, not being worried if it's a good idea just having an idea down, and like, different ways that we could use media to, like, help us sort of stimulate that and, like, um, and, like, the idea that writing is, uh, an exercise that you have to, like, you know, uh, work it out and-- And, like, exercise it to a point where you start feeling more comfortable with, uh, just writing creatively. Uh, and also just want to point out that Elena, you can totally be a novelist. Like, hands down. Like-- [Laughs]
ELENA: Thank you, thank you, we're trying.
KIMBERLY: No doubt about it. But yeah so-- So those are some just fun tips for our wonderful listeners out there if you're feeling a little bit of a writer's block or you're just, like, struggling to get into creative writing, these are just some, uh, helpful, handy tips. Of course, we encourage you to, uh, find whatever fits most-- Uh, fits best with you, and is, uh, most comfortable with you. Um, we actually wanted to dedicate a little, uh, section of this episode to talk with Frances about The Spectator and to, uh, as a transition into talking about National Poetry Month. Uh, we have some notable mentions from our wonderful staff, um, but yeah, Frances, do you want to talk to us a little about The Spectator?
FRANCES: Why, yes of course, I would love to! [Laughs] Um, yeah, so, The Spectator is Seattle University's student-run newspaper. Um, and I am one of the news editors on there. This is my third, yeah, third year being involved in The Spectator. I started off as just a measly little sophomore, um, wanting to get some experience in journalism and I walked into the office in the Campion basement and I was, like, "hello! I'm ready to write an article, I guess!" Um, and then from there I just, like, came-- I went to, like, every weekly meeting, um, started getting accustomed to, like, how to write, like, journalistically. Um, and then I guess as you can see made my way up. And, uh, last year, I was Managing Editor and this year, now I'm the News Editor. So, I've dealt with, like, a lot of different parts of The Spectator. Um, obviously, this year I just deal with the news section but as the Managing Editor last year, um, I handled the "Features" stories and columns and, uh-- So, I've worked with a lot of writers and I've also had a lot of criticism on my own writing, so I've, like, seen it all which has been really cool, but-- I love The Spectator because, like, once again it is student-run and so, you pitch your own stories that you want to write that are relevant to, like, you / the Seattle U community whether it is a news story or "Arts and Entertainment" culture or even, like, a sports story. And then of course we take, like, opinion pieces as well, but, um-- With news stories, it's not like you're writing creatively which is-- It's a bummer, but the news is important, but it's really cool to see the "Arts and Entertainment" section and the different kinds of art that people bring in and, like, want to write about and talk about and pitch, like, it's really cool to see the kinds of art that everyone else is sort of, like, indulging in and, like, really passionate about. But regardless, like, you still get-- You still get practice in writing and just writing either for yourself or for the audience. Um, and I really appreciate the fact that it has helped me become, like, a better writer, like, whether or not I was reviewing-- Like, I reviewed, like, the Rick and Morty, like, "Szechuan Sauce", like, craze one time, and I was, like, "oh my gosh this is funny and silly, but, like, it's based off a piece of pop culture" and then I can do, like, a 180 and go write about, like, scandals at Seattle U, I guess. So, it really [Laughs] And also, it gives you life experiences that fuel [Laughs] Sort of, like, creative stories that can, like, happen in my head, I guess. Um, like, "oh maybe what if it worked out this way or what if it didn't?" But, yeah, I think The Spectator is, like, a really good, um, organization on campus where even if you just want to practice writing in general, like, you can come to us, um, pitch your story, let us know where you, like-- What you specialize in or what you're super passionate about and, like, become a really cool writer journalist kinda thing. Um, so I really love them. And then, I have an additional plug, um, because I'm also super involved with KXSU and they also have a blog as well full of music reporters and arts reporters and I was an arts reporter one time too, um, covering, like, films and anything else, but that's also a way to get involved with writing creatively on campus. And I think it's been really cool and I met a lot of awesome people through The Spectator and KXSU as well so there's that, even if you don't, like, necessarily, like, find anything else, like, at least the people really keep you in it.
KIMBERLY: Well, thank you for that! You heard it here folx, you guys can be-- Be a part of The Spectator, be a part of KXSU if you want to have some amazing creative writing opportunities. We do want to do, uh, an ode to, uh, National Poetry Month 'cause as of right now we're recording-- It's in-- It's May, technically, but we wanted to do a little shoutout to National Poetry Month and so we have some poets and poems recommended by some of the members of our Writing Center. So, if you're interested here is what they said:
We've got a recommendation for Mary Oliver, uh, she often writes about nature and describes life experiences using nature metaphors. And, uh, a recommendation for, if you're interested, is The Summer Day by Mary Oliver. And then we have Audre Lorde's Movement Song, it has some incredible imagery. Emily Dickinson's poems Tell all the truth but tell it slant and Hope is a thing with feathers are, uh, fun reads. And Maya Angelou's Still, I Rise. Incredibly hopeful, very powerful, very moving. Uh, won't you celebrate with me? by Lucille Clifton. And, uh, all these-- On-- Available online for free. And then we have some, uh, Instagram-- Some social media, uh, poets and we have morganharpernichols and emotions_therapy on Instagram, they have some really great, uh, short poems and phrases that are just really heartwarming. And we have a recommendation of Tom Leveille?
KARISSA: Yeah! That was actually my recommendation, um, he started out on Twitter. He has a Twitter account and I found him, like, right out when I was in high school and his Twitter "@" currently is harboredlight. Um, I don't know that he publishes much of his work on there as he used to because he does have a book out now that's called Down With The Ship. It came out in 2016 but a lot of his poetry is just really in-depth and just, like, so emotional but in his own unique way-- Just the way he chooses to describe different emotions and different life experiences is really cool. Um, and he also does some really powerful stand-up, like, if you found on YouTube if you just search his name, um, but I thought he would be a good recommendation because his poetry's a little bit different, it's not, like, what you see, um, just out there everyday because he did start sharing it on social media and then turned it into something a little bit more. Um, but yeah, I would say check him out if you're interested.
KIMBERLY: We will put all of these, uh, amazing poets, uh, in our description for the podcast episode just in case if you missed it or just in case if spelling the name might be a little difficult that-- Which is totally fair. Uh, we actually also wanted to give Frances the floor to talk about, uh, Cameron's Instagram, if you wanted to plug in for her.
FRANCES: Yes, absolutely! Cameron Payne is my very best friend in the entire world. Um, and she is a true poet, I would say, and she has a whole Instagram dedicated to her poetry and it's @cnp.docx, like, "d-o-c-x" like as if it were a Word Document when you save a file which is really quirky and cute [Laughs]. Um, but yeah, she-- She's an amazing poet and, like, she writes all about, um, like, love, and relationships, but also, like, identity, and, like, self-love, and, like, resilience, and, um, like, culture and all that stuff. So, she-- She's an amazing poet and, like, her little posts, like, she'll type out the poem or, like, write it out or whatever and add really cute, like, graphics, um, or, like, pictures or collages or paintings or drawings, like, anything-- She's super creative and is just-- Has always used art as an outlet and her Instagram-- Her poetry Instagram is just really cool and, like, she participated in all of, um, National Poetry Writing Month and did all the little prompts and the hashtags and all that stuff so, she was really, like, active in it and, like, it's been so cool seeing her poetry grow every single day too. Even just through this whole month, but just in knowing her for almost three years, which doesn't seem like a long time, like, I feel, like, I've known her forever. Um, it's just been, like, really really awesome to see her grow as a writer and, like, see her use this as an outlet and as a form of, like, catharsis. So, yeah, I-- I highly recommend you follow her if you just want, like, really, like, cute, like, not too, like, pretentious, like, metaphorical poetry, like, real poetry that still hits you, you know?
KIMBERLY: Yes, I can also attest to that. I love her poetry so much and, um, I just also wanted to give you the opportunity because I know that, uh, you're also her roommate so [Laughs] Um, um--
FRANCES: She's across the hall from me right now!
KIMBERLY: Perfect--
[KIMBERLY and FRANCES laugh]
KIMBERLY: I also want to shout out sydneymhaas if you are also looking for another, uh, local Seattle U student Instagram poetry page, it's sydneymhaas -- "h-a-a-s". She also did the "one-day-a-prompt" for National Poetry Month. Her-- I can, um, attest to it-- It's very-- It's very well-versed, very beautifully spoken. I've heard her perform before it's-it's- amazing and highly recommend it. We will put all these poet names-- po-- po-et- names, poet's names? In the description so you can check them out. Is there anyone else that you guys want to shout out?
SARAH: I have one! Her name is-- Okay, wait, sorry, she's not a SU student just to be clear, I hope that's okay, um [Laughs]. Her name is Cleo Wade, so that's "c-l-e-o" and then "w-a-d-e" and she, um, is, yeah, she's a poet-- She's an Instagram poet. [unintelligible] Her books are out now with her poetry called [unintelligible] Um, very simple, it's, like, her handwriting and it's just, like, beautiful. She's, like, a woman of color, activist, amazing [unintelligible] being, um, but, yeah, I would highly, highly recommend following her and she's [unintelligible] on Instagram [unintelligible] But, for sure give her a follow, she's-- She's such a goodie. She's a good one.
KIMBERLY: We will have a whole list of them all-all-all- in there and, uh, we highly recommend that if you have the time and if you're interested in poetry to start out with these, uh, group of amazing people, but of course to branch out and to, uh, widen your network of poems and poetry. So, in closing, we wanted to offer some resources on campus and off campus, uh, for creative writing outlets or creative writing opportunities even, uh-- We-We- will say this in-- Even though in quarantine, like, there are definitely, uh, ways that you can be involved in creative writing, um, even through Zoom or even just virtually online. Uh, so, on campus we have the Fragments magazine, um, if anyone wants-- Wants to, uh, talk more about that we can totally--
ELENA: For, um--
KIMBERLY: --okay, um [Laughs] No, go ahead!
ELENA: Yeah, no, so, Fragments-- I, uh, used to be on the Fragments team. I'm not-- I'm sure they're still doing some form of submissions now. Um, but basically every volume has kind of, like, a theme and it's usually a one-word theme and it gives you a lot of freedom to just write either poetry or prose and you can just submit it and it's really cool because if you get published then you can-- Just, you can have your work in a book that you can share with others and it's a really cool opportunity.
KIMBERLY: Thank you, I wasn't going to do it justice, so I was making sure that someone could do it better than me. So, we have the Fragments magazine, uh, we obviously have The Spectator, we have KXSU. Uh, and off campus we have the Hugo House, um, and they offer a variety of writing classes, which are still available, uh, they have been moved online, you can find them at hugohouse.org/classes/course-catalog and-- uh, or you can just, uh, look it up. And then, we have the, uh, Seattle Writes, um, so, even though Seattle Public Library is closed for the foreseeable future there are still many resources available for the public who may want to improve upon their writing including, uh, recommend reading materials on writing and publishing genres, how-to video courses, a Seattle Writes podcast with tips and tricks for writing and a list of local writing organizations, many of which are offering online classes. We have, uh, Rain City Slam, um, and that is the local Seattle poetry slam open to anyone. And then, uh, yeah. Uh, we also have Beyond Seattle which Elena, uh, can talk more about.
ELENA: Sure, so, Beyond Seattle Resources just, like, resources out there in the internet void, which we are all now in, so, there's tons of them and one, if you're really more interested in, like, actually getting published and getting in touch with, like, a network of published writers and, like, active writers in their communities-- pw.org, which is "Poets & Writers", is a really great resource for finding writing contests, MFA programs, and even, like, literary magazines and literary agents. Um, on a more chill level, LitHub has resources and writings to get you connected to creative writing communities or you can just, kinda, like, take a peek into them if you're curious about what-- Like, what goes on there. And that's just lithub.com. And then, we talked a little bit earlier about prompt websites, um, so, a few of my favorites are languageisavirus.com, which is really great for brainstorming, um, and they give you fun prompts so, they'll give you prompts and then they'll also give you specific prompts for, like, characters, like, they'll give you character traits, um, and yeah, it's just a really cool kind of, like, build your story from the ground up type of website. And then, another really fun and kind of, like, unconventional brainstorming resource is brainpickings.org. And Brain Pickings is the best when inspiration is just not coming to you, like, your brain's just empty. It's this blog and it's run by this one lady, Maria Popova, and you can scroll through pretty much endless blog posts, which are just absolutely wild. Just on, like, the weirdest most unexpected topics that you've never thought of before. And it just makes brainstorming a lot easier for me, personally.
KIMBERLY: So, those are just some resources that we have on campus and off campus and online. You can look up all these different, uh, organizations or online, uh, tools, uh, for more information. Unfortunately, we do have to end the podcast, but we hope that this was a helpful way in opening up the conversation about creative writing in college! If you would like to see more content or have ideas for upcoming episodes, please email us at-- Is it [email protected]? I think that's our email. Uh, and tune in next time! We also have a blog at suwritingcenter.weebly.com for all the wonderful blog posts by our wonderful, wonderful staff. Uh, we want to give a special thank you to Fran-- Uh, Frances, for coming with us on this episode and, uh, just being a wonderful human being overall, um, and yeah, just any-any- closing messages you have for our viewers out there? Want to throw out some promo? Or anything?
FRANCES: Yeah, um, I just wanted to say thank you for having me. I, like, so appreciate it. It's been really fun talking with you guys and it's so good to see your faces too. I just, like, really miss being in the center and sitting at our little table in front of Alex's office and, like, joking off like this, but, um, I guess this will do. But, yeah, I just wanted to say, like, I love the work you are all doing with the podcast, like, it's so good, so cute and, like, I just-- I'm into podcasts now because of you, so, that's all I have to say! [Laughs] But yeah, just keep up the good work and I just hope everyone knows that, like, the Writing Center is the best place ever and, like, I really really love everyone and, like, everything we stand for, so, keep it up!
KIMBERLY: Wow, my heart. [Laughs] Well, thank you, so, with that, this has been-- Thank you for listening to us! And this has been-- And so, what we do is we all unmute ourselves and we do a "hoo, hoo's at the Writing Center" as our closing so-- Thank you! This has been another episode on--
EVERYONE: Hoo's, hoo's at the Writing Center!
[Everyone laughs]
KIMBERLY: Alright, goodbye everybody, thank you very much! [Laughs]
FRANCES: Bye!
[OUTRO MUSIC PLAYS]