When I first started off college, I thought I would not find any club that would pique my interest, but I guess I was wrong when I found Writers Uknighted at UCF. I found my niche. I found this home where I can hone in on my writing skills and become who I want to be. Attempting to establish new connections, I found people who shared the same interests as me. I found somewhere where I can finally belong. I believe that people should join a writing club, because they can unlock their true potential and develop an affinity for creativity.
Creative writing takes time and skill. It takes guts to incorporate personal experiences into your own writing. Creative writing does not just spur out of nothing. It requires imagination and action. The paper is not going to write itself, you know. I wish it could, but where is the fun in that? You have to consider at least two things when it comes to creative writing: (1) who is this for? (audience) and (2) why am I writing this? (purpose). I write mostly because I want others to relate or be able to relate to my experiences.
It does not have to be a large commitment. You can definitely start off small like write your own blog or work on some scripts for a film festival perhaps. But just make sure that you have enough time to set for work and play. You need to unwind and try to avoid writer’s block. I have had plenty of those lately, probably because my brain is switching to spring break mode earlier than I had thought. Nonetheless, do not be afraid to commit to writing. Writing is your friend, not your foe.
You do not have to succumb to one genre. Varying your writing styles can help you improve your overall skills. I started off writing short fictional stories and transitioned to poetry, which is by far my favorite, because poetry is the language of the soul. Open mic nights are one of the best events you could possibly attend. I have been to two and I will tell you this, it may be nerve-racking at first but once you let those words ebb, the spotlight is on you.
Joining a writing club or community can be overwhelming but fun. Do not let your lack of experience or preconceived notions that you will suck at writing stop you from joining. You will not suck, because there will be others on the same boat as you. If you truly believe that you can become a writer and that you can write from your heart, then the world is your oyster. You will have already unlocked your potential and set a new identity for yourself. Who knows, maybe your work will be adapted to the big screen and you have proven the world wrong. They say you couldn’t. So show them you could and you will, because home is not a place, it’s a feeling you have buried deep inside you.
