Screen and Stage: Writing Center offers new workshop series

The Writing Center is known for many things, such as working with students, faculty and staff to assist them with any kind of writing task, even if it is not related to coursework. They are willing to help with coursework, scholarship applications, job searches and personal projects. They are also known for their open houses, special events, and tip sheets that they offer. 

This spring semester, the Writing Center has made a few changes to attract new visitors, such as offering free coffee and creating a “Book Swap” bookshelf. Visitors are welcome to bring a book they have already read and exchange it for one that is new to them. There are currently about 45 books in this collection that fall under a wide range of fiction authors such as Toni Morrison, George R. R. Martin, Ernest Cline and Steven King. However, visitors are welcome to bring in any genre, including fiction or nonfiction, for the swap. 

The Writing Center will also offer a series of workshops throughout the semester that celebrate screenwriting and playwriting. They will be held on Thursdays from Feb. 27 to April 13 from noon to 12:45 p.m. The workshops will be located in the Writing Center, which is on the second floor of the Student Services and Classroom Building (SSCB). 

These workshops are designed to teach both newcomers and those with experience in writing for the screen and stage. Those who participate will learn how to create characters, how to write effective dialogue, and how to make a plot work well, among other lessons. 

There are also two returning workshop series that will be offered this semester. One is the Creative Scholar Workshop Series, where students can strengthen their academic writing skills through practicing creative writing, and the second is the Science Fiction Worldbuilding Workshop Series, where students are assisted in creating their own science fiction world. 

In the Creative Scholar Workshop Series, students are encouraged to explore their strengths as a storyteller and to learn how to harness those abilities to succeed in their classes. This creative writing workshop series will be offered on Tuesdays from noon to 12:45 p.m. from Jan. 28 to Feb. 25.

The Science Fiction Worldbuilding Workshop Series concerns the setting, technology, character, and plotting of their fictional world and is intended to help students strengthen their stories, whether they are just getting started or simply need help with revisions. This series will be offered on Wednesdays from noon to 12:45 p.m. from Feb. 5 to April 8.

Scott Sands, director of the Writing Center, stated that these workshops come about by surveying individuals who attend to learn the types of writing topics they wish to know more about. The current trio of workshop series, which are using creative writing to succeed at academic tasks, science fiction worldbuilding, and writing for stage and screen all came to be because of suggestions of prior workshop participants.

If one wishes to participate in one or any of these workshops, it is not required to bring anything or have any experience in said topic. Students may also choose whether they would like to participate in just one or all of the workshops.

“Writers can attend any single workshop in a series, as each is designed to be self-contained,” Sands said. “However, the workshops each build on each other so that attending multiple workshops in a series will enhance a participant’s experience.”

Sands notes that the Writing Center has been offering workshops as part of a themed series since the fall of 2018 and that they have been fairly popular. Over 300 writers have participated in these workshops on succeeding in academic writing, fantasy worldbuilding, science fiction worldbuilding, planning and writing a novel, and writing Gothic fiction. 

Regan Joswiak, assistant director of the Writing Center, explained that it is easy and convenient to attend any of these workshops. 

“No registration is needed,” Joswiak said. “Students are welcome to just come to the Writing Center at the time of the workshop and join us.” 

For more information, visit the Writing Center in SSCB 2.101 or call 281-283-2910.