The editors of Loch Norse Magazine, Northern Kentucky University’s student literary journal, hosted the publication’s first series of writing workshops Nov. 2-4 in the basement of the University Center. Students were given an opportunity to share their poetry or prose and have it critiqued by the editors and fellow participants.
According to Editor Jenn Whalen, the staff workshops material each week, but they are looking for an opportunity to add more people to their community.
“I know a lot of writers who have work just sitting there, but are unable to get constructive feedback from a group of fellow writers because they are not currently in any creative writing classes,” Whalen said.
This realization led Whalen and her staff to develop the Week of Workshops event.
“The reality of it is, no matter how good of a writer we think we are, our work always benefits when we have peers read it and offer criticism,” said junior writing studies major Anna Maloney.
Maloney received critiques on two of her poems during the Nov. 2 session. Like other members of the NKU writing community, Maloney struggles with finding resources outside the classroom setting to help her in improving her work.
“Another unfortunate reality is that there are only so many writing courses available; and after those courses, where are we going to get workshop experience [without paying for it]?” she said.
Whalen has received positive responses from workshop participants who say they appreciate the small and intimate setting, which allows for a less intimidating experience.
“I’ve been told by some people that these outside writing workshops have been more effective than all the work done during a semester-long course,” Whalen said.
Senior English major Alex Duvall also attended the Nov. 2 workshop and said he found the experience enjoyable and beneficial.
“Workshops are important because they exercise a sense of support and community among writers,” Duvall said. “The fact that Loch Norse orchestrates such workshops shows how serious NKU takes its English department and allows writers a more familiar environment to participate in while they are not taking creative writing classes.”
Whalen and her staff plan on making these workshop sessions a monthly practice so that members of the NKU writing community have a stable and consistent resource to improve their work.
For more information about upcoming literary events hosted by Loch Norse Magazine, contact: lochnorse@gmail.com.