The Writer's Desk

Creating Conducive Writing Spaces

“I have three desks. One empty for paperwork, one for the internet and email, and one for the writing computer.”
—Lee Child

This week, I had the opportunity to be a guest on the On The Same Page podcast for the Marian University Writing Center. On it, I was interviewed by the center’s Assistant Director Aaron Wilder on the topic of “Writing With Anxiety.”

I answered lots of questions about the anxiety I face as a writer. We talked in terms of writing and time management. Mr. Wilder, in turn, provided real-world practices that might better help me get a hold on my anxieties. Among his list of solutions, he brought up the importance of having a conducive atmosphere to write. Allegedly, having a comfortable space tailored only to writing can have far-reaching effects.

This solution got me to thinking, “I wonder how many other students feel anxious about their writing assignments or personal pieces.” If you are among that population, I ask you: “where do you normally write?” If you said, “lying in bed” or “somewhere on the first floor of the library next to friends,” you may want to consider a brand new study space or even customizing your own in your dorm/apartment/house.

How The Space Makes or Breaks A Writer

“Start-Up Stock Photo”
Credit: <https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-coffee-meeting-team-7096/>

Our ability to focus is dependent upon our unique preferences, as some of us prefer it to be completely silent while others of us congregate in Alumni Hall. But ultimately all of us go sit down somewhere to specific to work because we value the growth in our education and wish to do well.

Similarly, we can only write well if we are in productive spaces. Think of it as the same reason why grade school educators continue to have their classrooms organized a certain way (with the wall decorations, bookshelves, and arrangement of desks). They want to build a classroom that improves and supports students’ well-being and productivity.

Now that we’re busy adults, it makes sense that we want to be more focused, motivated and productive in our own special spaces. Thus, I compiled advice from that may help.

Learning to Organize Your Space On and Off-Campus

Differentiating Writing Spaces from Study Spaces

You’re probably well aware of all the designated study places and academic buildings (cause Marian is pretty small). So if you spend time studying at Starbucks, the library or the Evans Center, the likelihood is that you found your studying niche.

But research indicates that designing a digital or physical workspace outside of normal study places can prove beneficial for writing. Standout Books Publishing Service defines a dedicated writing space as “a strange, magical area in which you feel particularly able to commune with your muse… It’s something about the space, the view, the ambiance, but it lets you write.” Such a space is probably not the same place you study, but a place free from distraction.

Designing A Space to be Distraction-Free

Found on: Our Happy Home (Free Image)
Credit: <https://ourhappyhive.com/setting-up-your-home-office-for-maximum-productivity/>

Whether you decide you want to set up shop in your place of living or a special place on campus, consider eliminating the following distracting items:

Phone, tablet, computer (unless you need any to write)
Numerous open tabs
Junk foods rich in carbs and fat (not to sound like a nutrition Nazi, every site I look at encourages brain food)
Television, radio or Bluetooth speaker (depends…)
Other people (unless your freakin’ Ray Bradbury)

You also don’t want to make your writing place across campus, go there and then forget a key item. The following are some good (and optional) study space items either for your study space in your living area or across campus:

Paper products: notebook, index card, journal, pad of paper, etc.
Pencils or pens (I recommend more quality pens so you’re not distracted by the suckiness of the cheap Bic pens)
Good desk lamp (optional: I recently bought Smart Wi-Fi LED Bulbs for $12 at Walmart that you can adjust brightness and color with your phone. Just a thought)
A water bottle or cup of coffee
Headphones or earbuds (consider relaxing or energetic instrumental music depending on your mood)
A kitchen timer (or regular timer so you can set a certain amount of time to just focus on writing)

Experimenting With Natural Light & Temperature

What has worked especially well for me is finding a spot that has lots of natural light. I am not super outdoorsy, so year-round I have written in front of my balcony so my paper is visible and I can adjust my apartment’s thermostat to the ideal temperature.

Though you won’t always have control over the thermostat, studies us that temperature influences work productivity These studies, as reported by College Info Geek, indicate that on average a person works most efficiently when the temperature is between 72°F and 77°F.

So, if you think the temperature will be below the minimum, consider a sweater, or wearing a T-shirt if it’s over the maximum. But wherever you decide to set up, make sure that you have access to everything you need and that you will be comfortable working there for a certain period of time.

“Writing Spaces Project – Photo by CL Taylor (Sunday Times Bestselling Author)
Instagram Credit: <https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Ln_yehnqD/>

Miscellaneous Study Space Tips

There are many methods for creating an effective study space. People have gotten so creative with it, even using social media and websites to show off their pride. To add it to the conversation, I wish to give you some of my techniques from my desk to yours. These work best with your own desk:

Use a smart speaker like Google Home or Alexa to speak voice commands that will aid the writing process. For me, I use my Google Home to lower my music to optimal sound, for definitions/synonyms/antonyms of words, and to listen to writing-related podcasts for inspiration. I do this so I don’t get distracted by my phone.
Candles are a great, relaxing measure, but since they pose a fire hazard in dorms on campus, refrain from using them. Instead, consider an electric, battery-operated candle that helps set the mood. If you have your own place, light up a real one! Consider a good scent that will alleviate stress.
I am so extra, but if you have a Smart TV or one that connects to the Internet, put on a virtual fireplace or a virtual run video. It lets your mind wander with the sounds and sights and pump in the creativity.
I sometimes struggle to write with music on (esp. with Spotify ads). As a substitute, I sometimes use Coffivity or Rainy Mood. A peer-reviewed University of Chicago study suggests that listening to these programs can contribute to efficiency.

So now that you have finished this article, I now ask you: how will you write from here on out?”

mari ovi on My First Blog PostJanuary 28, 2020
Hi, Dr. O here. Great job! This was an excellent first post. I’m invested in the blog and the subject.…

How Self-Publication Practices Nurture and Inspire Writers

“In old days books were written by men of letters and read by the public. Nowadays books are written by the public and read by nobody.”
— Oscar Wilde

I have heard the publication argument since sophomore year of high school. To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish. That there should be the title of a book that debunks the myth what is the best publication style: self-publishing or traditional publishing.

In deep regard for the empty pockets of broke and novice writers, the pro self-publication people often ask, “Why spend an inordinate amount of money when you can just publish through Amazon?” Or they reassure that, “Instead of paying, you can be the first to market your book, edit at your own leisure, and control the pace of your work.”

Alternatively, after somebody self-publishes and is met with poor views, the Karens and Susans of the world seem to emerge from nowhere to call him or her out. They claim, “you need an expert to look at your work or it ain’t going anywhere.”

While I can provide you an opinion piece that expresses where I stand on the debate, that is not the nature of my article. Instead, I want to tell you about my journey of amateur self-publication—along with its pitfalls and promises. I want to shed light on how a self-publishing platform helped nurture my love for writing and editing and boosted my morale as a middle schooler and how such a website could enrich and impact you.

The History & Strength of the Wattpad Program

The program I used in my youth was Wattpad—an online social networking space for readers and writers to publish user-generated stories under a plethora of genres, including general fiction, non-fiction, poetry, fan-fiction, spiritual, humor and teen fiction. It still serves as a social community for amateur and professional writers alike and the writing can be anywhere from half a page to an entire volume (i.e. endless).

Founders Allen Lau and Ivan Yuen began creating the storytelling community back in 2000 as a part of their Computer Engineering program at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Wattpad reached competition in 2006, but by 2007 they were failing due to a low amount of users. But once again, Steve Jobs came to the rescue with the launching of Apple’s iPhone and App Store in 2008. From there, the Wattpad app and website skyrocketed in popularity.

Today, according to BBC, Wattpad has reached more than 80 million readers with approximately 4 million writers who are active on the website each month around the world. It has reached 600 million users, 1.5 billion reads, and even achieved a People’s Choice Award in 2019.

“Wattpad Logo”
2019 Photo by Good e-Reader
<https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/2019-was-a-year-of-continued-genre-disruption-on-wattpad>

I could go on about its success, but let me tell you about why I cherish it so much:

When I was 13, I would write for hours and hour every day, yet I would consistently feel discouraged because I had no audience, no source of constant inspiration and no reason to pursue writing really outside of school assignments. That was until the day that my friend shared a Twilight fan-fiction with me (NOT Fifty Shades of Grey, just to clarify) from Wattpad.

Upon seeing how an average teenager like myself could write a simple fan fiction and amass 186.8 thousand or so views was something very unheard of at the time. Personally, it became the epitome of hope. Almost instantly, I was set on becoming a Wattpad writer. So, in my eighth grade year, I became the author of several chapters of an inspired piece about cyber bullying called iVictim, which achieved 972 views and received 30 Wattpad Stars nominations.

In reality, that isn’t a whole lot, but at the time I was overjoyed to even obtain some kind of following. The truth is that although it is merely a social media platform, there is lots that I have learned simply from having spent time writing whatever came to mind in my spare time.

Learning Self-Publication Through Wattpad

Wattpad App and Website
Photo By: Alyssa Chartrand

Though I do not use it as much now that I am in college, Wattpad taught me so much more than just writing for leisure. I was bestowed my first chance of being my own editor. I held the complete freedom to post, edit, and share work that was personal to me. In addition, Wattpad provided me the opportunity to learn the ropes of future, professional self-publication. Today, I am offering you rope climbing lessons. This is by no means an advertising of the company or app, I am simply using Wattpad as an example of how to mold yourself into a successful self-publisher:

First, if you decide to use a program like Wattpad, you are offering yourself an opportunity to learn and grow. As mentioned, you are in total control of the genre of your work, the age group (or intended audience), the language and the story itself. You can decide for yourself if your work is ready to be seen by the public as well as what grammatical, structural, or linguistic issues that may have occurred.

Second, you are providing yourself a place to create art. Like physical and e-book copies, there is most certainly a spot to place a book cover. You can use Wattpad’s customer cover maker through Canva or Adobe Spark. After creating your own story content, you can dazzle your audience with your own artistic merit (how cool is that?!).

Third, you have the opportunity to look at thousands upon thousands of books related to your genre written by people just like you. As it has been drilled in your head since preschool, reading helps make better writers. It’s just true. You always acquire more knowledge as you read, so why not utilize that information and inspiration to produce your own work?

Fourth, you can create a following just as you would on any other social media outlet. This means that you have the option of sharing your work with complete strangers or in adding friends who also have accounts on the site. This might make less nervous the anxious writers and give courage to whichever writer decides to add their friends. Personally, I find it better to write to a real audience then the empty abyss in my mind.

Fifth, you can upload and delete as many drafts or final products as you want. You can leave no trace of the stories you are not comfortable with or you can start a series of chapters or books that appeal to a Wattpadian user.

Sixth, you can freaking get discovered. You think that’s too far-fetched? Ever seen the Netflix Original film, “The Kissing Booth”? I have not and heard it bombed its Rotten Tomatoes’ score, BUT—it was an original Wattpad story. Surely, there are a lot more efficient ways to get published and become established. Nevertheless, it is cool to have that inkling of hope nestled in yoru soul.

Seventh, bearing in mind the same idea as number 6, you can also aim to make yourself better than you are right now. With the Watty Awards nominations and weekly/monthly competitions, those who crave victory and success can embark on a challenge through Wattpad (or similiar programs).

Eighth, you can achieve feedback from other people from your writing. Years after I published iVictim, I had at least four people inbox me, begging me to finish the story I had started. In some other works, I received feedback pinpointing small grammatical and punctuation flaws. This kind of feedback can be HUGE.

These are just a few ways in which self-publishing can be transformative for writers. Surely, traditional publishing can be beneficial, but programs like Wattpad teach users that you have the power to convey your own story. It encourages us to think that we are smarter than our doubts and can thrive from the positive feedback of others. If you feel that you have not had the opportunity to showcase your ideas or talent, consider self-publishing via an online platform. You don’t have to do your most personal and prized works, but maybe you will discover the value of self-efficiency.

mari ovi on My First Blog PostJanuary 28, 2020
Hi, Dr. O here. Great job! This was an excellent first post. I’m invested in the blog and the subject.…

The Evolution of Coffee Shop Writers

“My advice to young writers would be to write every day, even if it is only a few words. Get yourself on the habit of writing and it will become a lifelong one. And find a place to write where you are physically comfortable. You can’t concentrate if you aren’t.”
—Cassandra Clare

Ever since the day my lips sipped the sweet taste of a caramel macchiato at the Chicory Cafe in South Bend, I fell in love with coffee shops.

The atmosphere. The aroma. The acoustic Indie/folk compilation of music playing at a gentle volume. The artisan-crafted coffee brought out to my nice, polished table. The gentle, happy conversations abound. The peaceful state of mind.

Lots of people get behind the magic of coffee shops and cafés. I always found it intriguing, however, how the best writers are often correlated with them. Like, they can be cool places for sure, but what about them seems proven to inspire fantastic writing?

Exploring Instances of Coffee Shop Success

History reveals that a noble tradition has formed of writers sitting in the interiors of coffee shops, cafés, breweries, and bars, drafting what would become well-renowned works.

To satisfy my intrigue, I did my own exploring into this historic world of coffee shop-esque writers. The first instance to present itself to me regarded the famous group of Parisian-based writers in the 1920’s known as the “Lost Generation.” The group of Americans featured several celebrated writers like Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Franz Kafka.

“The Lost Generation” believed themselves to be misunderstood artists in a postwar world — rather, socialite writers who spent their time exploring various spots in Paris to create works of passion to be shared among their networked friends. The group found inspiration in places where jazz, booze, coffee and cigarettes were widely available.

Members of the Lost Generation, including Ernest Hemingway (right, with black tie)
Found on Discover Walks Blog
<https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/optimized-lost-gen.jpg>

Hence, the writers began spending their time in public getting their coffee and writing their works. Historic places like La Closerie Des Lilas, a small café near Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, became famous thanks to Hemingway’s frequent visits, where he often stayed to nourish himself with croissants and coffee. He reportedly chose the café because of its tranquil atmosphere. It was there he finished his first draft of The Sun Also Rises.

The Café de Flore, a favorite of E.E. Cummings, would be another iconic restaurant showing how the author made wildly popular works simply by chilling with his beverage and writing in peace. Cummings is also cited to have been fond of Café de Flore’s conversational space, as he often spoke highly of his discussion of literature and the drinks he shared among his writing friends.

Other instances of coffee shop/café success can be attributed to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s frequent visits for afternoon coffee and nighttime cocktails at the bohemian La Rotonde Café. Another could be traced even before then to Russian poet Alexander Pushkin’s visits to The Literary Café in 1837.

https://www.instagram.com/lacloseriedeslilas/
“La Closerie des Lilas” | April 30, 2017

The authors would be remembered for timeless works like A Farewell to Arms (Hemingway), The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald), All Quiet on the Western Front (Erich Maria Remarque), and Save Me the Waltz (Zelda Fitzgerald). While these authors are worth exploring for their books, I do think there is more to be explored in their writing processes, such as their places of work.

Though the term “coffee shop” was not as popular at the time, I believe the “Lost Generation” writers helped in facilitating today’s mentality that the best of writing can be achieved through having a relaxing space to both congregate with others as well for time alone.

Transformation to Modern Coffee Shop Success

Flash forward closer to the present, the inspiration of coffee shops continues to be appreciated as the destination of creativity for the writer.

The most popular coffee shop writer of today spotlights the beloved J.K. Rowling. She was said to have written much of the earliest Harry Potter novels at a gourmet tea and coffee house called The Elephant House in Edinburgh, located within Scotland’s Central Belt in George IV Bridge during the mid and late 1990s.

Picture found on “Anna Drops” Photoblog
<https://annadrops.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/the-elephant-house-cafe-edinburgh/>

Legend has it that during this time she would take her baby with her to The Elephant House and other establishments to enjoy their “free heating and cozy temperature” while writing drafts.

Ever since it earned recognition as the “birthplace of Harry Potter,” the destination has become a hot spot and must-to travel place for aspiring writers.

Certainly, it’s a “magical” place, but it is also very eloquent. I mean, who wouldn’t want to sit with a classic cup of blended, Scottish tea surrounded by 600-plus fake elephants while looking out the window at the wondrous Edinburgh Castle?

Rowling’s View of the Edinburgh Castle
Found on CNN Travel
<cnn.com/travel/article/edinburgh-harry-potter-guide/index.html?gallery=2>

Other visiting writers also have fancied visiting Spoon, an Edinburgh restaurant/café famous for “healthy foods and afternoon tea.” At the time, it was known as Nicholson’s Cafe—that, which is considered yet another place that hours were spent in creating the wonderful world of Harry Potter.

It’s Your Turn, Future Writer!

Now I wildly recommend that you go visit Europe and check out some of the big Harry Potter-inspired destinations (if that is your desire). But if college loans and work has you down, then I definitely invite you to go check your local coffee shops and cafés. You never know the impact it may have on your leisure writing!

If you are a Marian student living in Indianapolis, I recommend you explore the Indianapolis Coffee Guide, which is a curated guide of the group’s best-rated, favorite coffee places in town. They blog about a wide range of destinations throughout the city and describe each of their settings, perks, and hospitality.

The easiest access is through their Instagram account: @indianapoliscoffee (haha, you think you can remember that). Of course, you can also visit their website at: https://msha.ke/indianapoliscoffee/.

If you are thinking about pursuing writing in any capacity big or small, do yourself a favor by staying at and supporting your local coffee shops. If you think maybe that’s too old fashioned, then just think about how J.K. Rowling started from nothing and blossomed to prominence all by sitting in a coffee shop. Just saying…

Be sure to comment and share your own coffee shop writing experiences!

mari ovi on My First Blog PostJanuary 28, 2020
Hi, Dr. O here. Great job! This was an excellent first post. I’m invested in the blog and the subject.…

What Amtrak Teaches Us About the Intersections of Travel & Creative Writing

“I love writing on trains. The joy of being a writer is it’s all in your head; you don’t need materials apart from the laptop. It’s like taking your work home with you, so you can feel grounded in your own insane writerly realities wherever you are are.”
—Sadie Jones

Aside from taking the T to various parts of Boston in the summer of 2018, I knew nothing of trains. My experiences were hearing them blare every morning thanks to Amtrak’s South Bend station and knowing their job is to provide travel and (for other trains) to carry cargo. I also knew them as the culprit as to why I was nearly always late to school.

This week, however, I would hear of a fellow knight talking to me about Amtrak’s Writer’s Residency—the opportunity for a diverse group of writers to be selected to ride across America and become inspired to create new works at no charge. Delving into Amtrak’s website to acquire clarity, I discovered that the U.S.’s federal railroad service began to offer this “residency” program for writers in 2014. It has remained active through 2019, though nothing seemed posted about plans for 2020.

Frances Cha, a CNN columnist, wrote an article in 2014 covering the program’s emergence. She wrote how Amtrak created the program as inspiration from a tweet by New York-based writer Jessica Gross. Gross’ words reflected her interviewee, novelist Alexander Chee, who voiced his desire for Amtrak to offer a residency exclusively for writers. He thought a writer’s quiet time in a booth with a clear view of nature, small towns, and bustling cities might prove to be motivational stimuli. Amtrak happily complied shortly after.

The Need For A Creative Outlet

But why would Amtrak go to such lengths (literally) to promote literature and writing? Why offer free, prolonged train rides across the country to promising writers who win their writing and blogging competitions? Perhaps it is good business (as professional writers often observe and photograph settings they plan to utilize in their own works), but of what value does a free train ride across America’s variety of landscapes and scenery offer a writer?

My non-scientific analysis is that the writer who yearns for Amtrak’s residency program suffers from the same ailment afflicting university students across the board: a lack of creativity. This is not to say that individuals are not creative. Marian students and professors alike continue to amaze our community with mixed media art pieces, organized service projects, and newsworthy discoveries, like Dr. Daniel Gelfman’s recent revelation on Michelangelo’s ‘David’.

However, I too often come across students who are bored with writing and have settled on the misconception that they “are just not good writers.” In my experience as a peer tutor, these feelings of self-discouragement manifest very early in tutorials. It often leads to the plea for the complete dismantling of the student’s original work and in place of it the tutor is to help put “what it should say.”

College often drains students’ written ambition as style guides and strict direction from professors leads to a disinterest in the creative writing process. The numbness or anxiousness of the mind when presented with a blank page is what I call mental stoicism. It is like a long-term writer’s block that permeates the minds of children and adults alike, leading to an ebb of any creative ideas or personal projects. The student then continues to believe the lie that he or she is not a writer, while his or her existence as a creative being says otherwise.

Taking Rails to Greater Understandings

But would a traveling outlet fix this? Is exposure to scenery or new places, smells, and experiences the perfect blend to reignite one’s desire to write? Amtrak seems to think so. As do blogs and research, which show that the inventive, right-side of our brains light up when we are inspired to act and create content in new situations. It lights up much in the same way a child does when she learns she is going on a road trip or is going to have a birthday party.

For a writer crafting a book, much can be learned by actually experiencing natural settings likes hills, forests, bridges, and cities that can be integrated into a work of fiction, poetry, non-fiction, or drama. When that same writer has the time to meet and converse with strangers, the door of possibility opens. Further, creativity can blossom during a period of no distractions and restfulness can be beneficial as it would be for students when midterms come along.

For Amtrak residents, the influence of travel on writing appears to be successful and useful. The program continues to gain momentum as writers share their positive experiences through YouTube and social media with the hashtag #AmtrakTakeMeThere. Various Instagram users especially have used the digital platform to promote vlogs, selfies, and inspirational stories that arose because of their experiences:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtKaJYShQ-e/ (Left)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6v0RpRJXAR/ (Middle)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B014UbTA2no/ (Right)

An Imperative Thought to Transform Writers

Though I cannot critique their partial or final products of writing since no Amtrak writer on Instagram seemed to display the links to their works. Nonetheless, I do not need to read things to understand the implications of travel on the soul. I find it remarkable that people appear to discover a greater willingness to write when given an adventurous opportunity.

As a tutor ambitious to see students flourish, I think that it is vital for both our creative juices (and simply for peace of mind) that we make the choice to explore new places and discover the stories we are hiding in our hearts. I firmly believe finding passion in writing will help generate less stress in the fields of academia and will help enhance greater storytelling and writing capabilities for the future workforce.

If you are wondering if I am suggesting for you to go by yourself to a train, travel across the country and become the next Ernest Hemingway, I would tell you, “of course! Why wouldn’t you?” But, since I understand that it is a tad on the unrealistic side (and a chip on the rest of your crippling debt), there are other options that may help bring out the writer in you.

Marian University students have the unique luxury of living in Indianapolis, a buzzing city overflowing with diversity and new places you have not yet seen. The people, bars, music, social events, restaurants, museums, concerts and parks are just few of the long list of things that can be experienced. If you have already been a city-dweller all your life and your ideas are drowned out by the noise, Indiana is still ranked #5 in the corn production states. This means there is lots of farmland and countrysides all around to escape to.

Regardless of where you are as a writer, experience will always offer you more material to work with. It will give you new perspectives from others and more exposure to ideas yet to have been discovered.

So in your minimal free time when you do not want to do homework. Or, if you find yourself having a day off from work over the summer, take some time to get lost and jot down some inspirations. If you find it exciting enough, perhaps one day you too will be an Amtrak resident.

https://unsplash.com/photos/fAOqScBvMSc
“Cars on Road”
Photographed by: Hunter James
| Indianapolis, IN |

My First Blog Post

An Introduction to “The Writer’s Desk”

“Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any.”
— Orson Scott.

Hello friends! If you need a friendly reminder, my name is Alyssa Chartrand. I am the alleged adult running this blog, which I entitled “The Writer’s Desk.” This is my first attempt at writing to Marian University (primarily) to cover newsworthy, writing-related endeavors taking place or inspired by this campus.

To kick off this new series, I suppose it is in both of our best interests if you know what “The Writer’s Desk” is all about and why I am doing this.

First, a little about me and my relationship with writing: I am in my third and final year of studying writing and communication at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Throughout my shortened years of schooling, I have acquired a small inkling of knowledge about writing and so I thought I would fool you with meaningless stories. Kidding, I am very diligent in my studies. I am also an editor and a writing center tutor so all I ever hear about is writing and I am dying to share.

Thus, when the opportunity came to write a blog for my Digital Journalism course, I knew I had to write from what I knew: writing. But right away I struggled to think of how the heck (sorry, I must write in respect of my Catholic institution) I would write sensational stories about an activity and technique that we utilize most notably in the classroom.

Becoming Inspired by Writing Bloggers

When I did not know how to get feet wet (or, dare I say, dip my quill pen into the pool of ink), I did a Google search for writing bloggers. My exact first keys words were: blogging writers who write blogs about writing. Not very efficient at first, until I met my hero: Emily Krohn, the genius behind the blog “Thriving and Writing”.

I commend you, madame, for giving me some groundwork upon which to base my ideas on. The speechwriter, content marketer, and novelist lays out a series of blog posts that offer readers a more in-depth understanding of how writing is applicable in daily life, in past inspirations, and in the future workplace.

I think many of you would find her works to be relaxing and enjoyable. They are short too, so you will have plenty of time afterwards to procrastinate and watch Netflix. She seems to unintentionally touch on various aspects of collegiate life. For example, as many of you at this point of your schooling are Starbucks connoisseurs, perhaps you too will find resonance in her “Instant vs. Brewed Coffee and How it Applies to Writers” post.

Or, if you are affiliated with any religion or are part of the San Dam program, maybe you too have taken up journaling to help with your spiritual life but struggle to keep it up daily. Further, perchance you have considered journaling as a means of coping with anxiety and depression. Either way, I highly encourage you to check out her blog post, “Journaling: The Hardest Part is Getting Started.”

All of her blogs seem to follow the common trend of writing despite her not being a college student. I believe her ideas reveal the very real-world application of writing to our own everyday lives and push the creative agenda.

Writers of writing are tough cookies to find on search engines, especially those writing on behalf of a collegiate audience. Those I did find were diverse in their perspectives. Some spoke highly of the combination of writing with social justice efforts. There was one that connected songwriting with mental health reparation. Two or three others spoke about how editorial practice changed their whole mindset about writing. These subjects would only scratch the surface of potential.

I eventually found the holy grail— “The Writers College Times.” A blog website bent on bringing the gift and uses of writing to a college audience. Each article sparkled with relevance. One hit the nail on the dreaded writer’s block. Another enlightens our tech-savvy generation with strategies for writing effective social media content. For me as a reader, all these articles reminded me of how useful it is to build up my writing capabilities.

A common theme that I notice among the latter of the blogs is that any college student could find these subjects interesting.

As students, we so much crave a creative outlet from our studies. In terms of essays, we push through them and as a consequence we become drained of the writing process. We scoff at the thought of us being writers after the assignment is turned in. Or, if we are considered to possess more than adequate talent in the writing department, we often allow the voice of anxiety to tell us that we are not (and will not ever be) good enough.

How can students be expected to write more if we do not receive a consistent reason to look to writing as a tool and a rock to build ourselves up on? How can we learn to become more effective writers if formatting and grammatical structure are considered more important than our desire to find inspiration? These are just a few burning question fueling my need to give more exposure to the art of writing.

How I Plan To Build Up “The Writing Desk”?

As a tutor, I have seen your fleeting interest in overwhelming essays. I have also quite often heard the phrases that make rigid my soul, such as “I am not a writer” and “sorry, I am just really bad at this.” As a student, I am hypocrite who has said all those things and more. But, nonetheless, I have had the fortunate of seeing how writing has motivated and empowered our community. In the present, I see so much of it in the works and I have a long list of what I might report on.

Now it is your turn to see it.

If you have got this far in my blog, I commend you and I pray that you will give the rest of my blogs a go. “The Writer’s Desk” is scheduled to be posted every Sunday from now until May. While the link will likely make it on the social media of Marian students, I invite you to share my words of wisdom with anybody you know who is need of a reason to experience writing in a new light. I want people to see the beauty of writing in the modern world and in the context of everyday life.

Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.

mari ovi on My First Blog PostJanuary 28, 2020
Hi, Dr. O here. Great job! This was an excellent first post. I’m invested in the blog and the subject.…