The Creative Writing Program held its second New Writers Debut event on Tuesday, April 29 and presented various students whom authored and read their own written fiction stories or poems to a large group of people.
The event, which had its first presentation last fall, had a much bigger audience this semester as it was held in a science hall and had a high attendance of almost 80 people.
Dubbed the “15er” for its debuting of new writers, the event took place from 2 – 3:30 p.m. in the science building and presented 7 distinct students who had been picked for their unique way of writing by creative writing professors who recommended them.
Professor Gaik, a creative writing professor and host of the event said, “I asked three professors who were teaching creative writing that semester, to select someone who’s either in the class or has taken their class and that they think has a different kind of voice, something unique, some perspective that no one has and something that would inspire other writers to be creative.” He continued saying that the New Writers Debut would be held every semester.
Each student who read their writing had very different pieces and ways of reading their creation. From writer Mariana Gallardo, who read a frightening yet intriguing fiction story to Jade Sterling who read her story in different character tones, to Mel Bernstein, who read a variety of short poems, there was definitely a sense of differentiation.
Mariana Gallardo, one of the “15ers” was the first one up to read and her fictitious story was definitely an interesting one with an undertone of sadness and ominous events.
Mariana, who took a creative writing class last fall, and an English major and aspiring writer said she had initially just turned in her story for a ghost story contest as an extra credit opportunity. “I wasn’t really expecting to get any type of recognition but it was received very well and I placed fourth.” This marking her first time publicly reading her own work, she said, “this was very nerve wrecking for me I was really nervous about it today but I was really excited too.”
An attendee of the event, Christina Ramirez, said it was her first time hearing about the New Writers Debut event and attended when she learned about it from professor Gaik who she’s taking a creative writing class from. She expressed her feelings after the event saying, “Creativity comes in different forms, speakers didn’t look shy about presenting their own art and I really like that.” However she also mentioned the way she would feel if she ever had the opportunity to debut, “I would be nervous but then again it would be my own work so I think I would be more comfortable.”
Professor Gaik who seemed pleased with the turnout voiced his opinion on what he would like people to take from this experience. He said, “I want people to recognize that all great writers have readers, and listeners and that most literary movements start with a coterie or team, a group of people who read their work,” he said. “I just want people to be inspired to write more”.
The New Writers Debut is held every semester by the creative writing department and usually debuts 7 to 8 unparalleled individuals with unique ideas and writings that can potentially make them future writers.
