“Everyone can write.” SLCC Community Writing Center (CWC) staff use this philosophy to inspire, motivate and educate people working on any type of writing. The sentiment is especially appropriate on April 10, Encourage a Young Writer Day, as a time for educators to help writers use their imagination.
Tara Hogan echoes this philosophy while working as a writing consultant and youth programs coordinator for the CWC. She says that people who visit the center need a wide range of writing assistance, and the CWC offers multiple services for developing writing.
One way CWC staff assist writers is through writing coaching, a one-on-one 30-minute consultation to address visitors’ writing concerns, regardless of what stage the writing is in. Coaching sessions are completely free, and with virtual and in-person modalities, any Salt Lake County resident can take advantage of a coaching session. During a consultation, a writing coach may take different approaches based on genre, tone or audience, but the end goal is to provide feedback most helpful for the writer.
“We look at it like, ‘What are you writing? Why are you writing it? Who are you writing it for?’” says Tara. In giving feedback, Tara says, “The idea is to highlight areas of potential improvement, but I want them to feel excited to continue writing. We also provide people with resources they might not have or be aware of.”
CWC's workshops are led by staff and help writers explore "hyper-focused" writing topics. Past workshops focused on topics like graphic novels, memoirs and more. Workshops require an initial fee; however, some are free through partnerships and grant funding to ensure no one is limited from participating. Upcoming workshops in the spring of 2022 are NaPoWriMo, Songwriting and Playwriting. To participate in an upcoming workshop, register through the Workshop Registration page.
One workshop offered at the CWC is Salt Lake Teens Write, which helps teenagers develop their creative writing. “I think a lot of the time there are teenagers who view writing as work and school,” says Tara. “It’s important to have a different environment to come to where you can let go of that and have fun.”
Rather than emphasizing the structure of language and grammar rules, Salt Lake Teens Write encourages self-exploration. For the upcoming summer workshop titled “Where in the World? Writing the Wire,” writers will focus on journalism, travel and nature writing.
“We just want to help these teenagers develop their passion,” Tara says. “It’s inspiring to see teens step out of their comfort zone, make themselves vulnerable, share their writing and hope to have it published.”
Tara’s passion for language and communication through writing guides her approach to helping other writers. Her advice for anyone who doesn’t know where to start is "... grab a pen or pencil and write. You don't need to have a particular goal to begin writing and to benefit from writing," says Tara.
Those who have a goal or assignment but struggle with writer’s block may want to try setting a timer and writing whatever comes to mind, says Tara. “Sometimes the most beneficial thing to do is say, ‘I need to write.’ It will kind of be nonsense, but don’t limit yourself.”
By fostering a judgment-free space, the CWC ensures visitors feel minimal anxiety about sharing their work. Tara mentions that people shouldn’t stop themselves from writing because of others’ expectations, even those taught as the “standard.” She also believes that writing can take any form or style, so long as it serves the writer.
“Language is fluid; it doesn’t really have rules,” Tara says. “As much as I appreciate and understand grammar … I think it can be more limiting to people who want to write. You are the writer; you don’t have to follow any rules.”
Comments
Post a Comment