Last Tuesday was a rush and not because temperatures here at Leonardtown are spiking to sweltering heights. No, I was hit with the familiar and warm scent of another year of creative writing club. It is another year for a new team of budding communicators and serious writers. Short stories, poetry, group writing, literary criticism, slam poetry, monologues: there is a niche for every breed of communicator and every connoisseur of literature. No one is expected to march in parading a published paperback novel. As sponsor Mrs. Wogman said, “we are here to learn about our love of writing and improve.” This is a chance for students to express themselves, not shrink under the pressure of a grade or the judgment of peers. Creative writing club is a chance to grow as a writer, fuel your passion with excited sponsors and build a club breathing new life into your Tuesday afternoon.

As a veteran to the club and member since my freshman year, last Tuesday was bitter sweet. I was left searching the room for the familiar face of last year’s sponsor, Mrs. Gill. She has taken on a new position in the SMCPS system but Mrs. Wogman and Mrs. Bridges are picking up where she left off with their own passion for the written word. Mrs. Wogman shared when she got the writing bug. She had always harbored a deep love of reading and writing stories of her own but it was not until a college professor walked her through the novel writing process that she “really decided this was something [she] was interested in.” She carried this burning passion for writing with her through her creative writing major and is here to nurture that passion in the students, whether that be opening someone to their love of writing for the first time or offering an outlet for serious writers to present their work; there is a manila portfolio ready for your work, something Mrs. Wogman is particularly excited to have.

This is not just a chance to add a club to your college resume or find yourself as a writer but to decide the destiny of the club. Mrs. Wogman and Mrs. Bridges are here to guide students but it is up to the group to decide what the club will become. Not only is the group tossing around ideas of a literary magazine and slam poetry team but weekly activities keep the sparks and the ink flying. Last meet, everyone had to pick their favorite quote and put a story or poem to it. Whatever you hope to find in creative writing club, be “open, creative and flexible and be excited about exploring [your] range as a writer” said Mrs. Wogman. The club may now be two meets in, but there is always a place for another budding writer every Tuesday from 2:45 to 3:45 in room 2e10. Once you have the writing bug, you will not be able to shoo it away so join creative writing club and be ready to get hooked.