Maybe the best kept secret on campus is The Writing Café and over this past month they hosted a series of workshops called the “Secret Series” presented by English professor Mick Curran to help encourage students to break out of their shells and embrace their inner writer.
This four-part series was designed specifically to help students learn how to think like a writer, in turn write awesome fiction, and how to get the most out of their college experience and maintain better grades.
“Mick came up with the idea,” said Suzanne Martinez, the College Success Grant Project coordinator, “and we just ran with it.”
According to Curran, these are regular workshops designed to inform students about the art, craft and science of script writing.
“I’ve taught this subject on and off for more than 25 years,” Curran said.
Curran started one of the “Secret Series” sessions with a simple quote: “Life by the yard is hard; life by the inch is a cinch.”
Then, over the course of an hour, he provided students with the inside scoop on how to perfect their writing skills by discussing 10 different “secrets” writers use to take their stories to the end of the line.
These workshops, and others like them, are open to any student who wants to learn how to be a better writer. They typically consist of 15 to 20 students and one professor. The atmosphere is similar to a classroom setting but there is more room for open discussions.
“I came to the workshop just to come,” said 19-year-old Josue Evillegas, “I really enjoyed it and I learned a lot.”
This workshop series is one example of the events the Writing Café hosts for the benefit of students on campus.
Located in the College Success Center, ED 224, The Writing Café is a place where students can work on written assignments ranging anywhere from essays, research papers/projects, and lab reports to resumes and personal statements.
Students who make appointments have access to one-on-one time with student writing consultants who can offer help with any writing assignment from any class.
The next event sponsored by The Writing Café is a free poetry reading on Dec. 7 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in CI 159 hosted by English professor and published poet Luivette Resto. Both staff and students are welcome to participate in this event or simply just enjoy the show.
