The McNeese ‘So You Like To Write’ Club is back for another semester, and it is looking for passionate writers who are seeking a community.
According to Instructor Megan Gonzales, sponsor of the So You Like To Write club, the main purpose of the club is to create a community of writers who like to share and discuss their work
“If you write for any reason in your free time, and even if you don’t, but you are language-curious, you know, words interest you, come [to the meetings],” said Gonzales.
Club activities consist of a variety of exercises. At their previous meeting, Gonzales started a 10-minute writing timer for the members of the club to write and come up with different story ideas. After the timer was up, the club members shared their work and ideas.
“It’s amazing to hear what someone can write in 10 minutes, and see what you can write, too,” Gonzales said. “Everyone’s creative brain is so different, and we’re all capable of creating something; it’s just a matter of finding what flows when you try it out. Maybe writing is your thing. You’ll never know until you really try.”
The club was founded by a retired McNeese faculty member, Dr. Delma McLeod-Porter, who ran the Write to Excellence Center. Gonzales said Porter came up with the idea for the club, along with the founding president, now alumni, Scout Barrilleaux.
“Four semesters ago or so, I became the faculty sponsor, so it was really a lot of other folks who kept it going for so long and are the reason we’re still here going strong,” Gonzales said. “The organization and its presidents were supported a long time before I or the current members ever set foot on McNeese campus, let alone the English department.”
Gonzales attributes what she believes to be the club’s largest membership to the effort of the current executive board and members.
“I believe the number of members and students attending is the largest it has ever been and it’s because of the members and officers the organization has right now,” Gonzales said. “It’s taken a lot of work to get to where the organization is, and a few stellar folks over many years had a lot to do with it.”
She also said students benefit a lot from membership.
“I think students benefit a lot from this village of student writers.” Gonzales said. “They learn a lot about showing up for themselves and their interests. They have the opportunity to become an officer and enter leadership roles, which are often associated with more ‘practical’ degree plans or life paths. The reality is that creative communities exist, and those communities need leaders, too. So You Like To Write supports students in exploring the roles they can take in the creative communities they choose to be a part of and give back to.”
The So You Like To Write Club meets every other Monday from 4 –5 p.m. in the Language Lounge in Kaufman 308. Their next meeting will take place on Sept. 29.
For more information, follow their Instagram page @syltw_mcneese
