• In the beginning...

    In 2002, I worked with a talented group of people to plan, create, and launch The Writer’s Loft, a three-semester program that was the focal point of a certificate in creative writing offered through MTSU’s Division of Continuing Studies and Public Service. It was a unique program consisting of a mixture of lectures, one-on-one mentoring, public readings, and panel discussions. The Loft’s focus was on developing the student’s maximum skills, style, and voice as a writer, and it was a supportive, open environment in which the student could become the best writer possible at this point in his or her development.

    WMOT-Jazz 89 Radio Spot: Click this link to launch a three-minute radio spot about the program. (Note: at the time, Randy O’Brien was a Loft mentor, as well as a reporter for the radio station. Today he’s a published author. His latest novel is Gettysburg by Morning.

  • The Young writer's loft

    The work I did to create and launch the program was done on the side: nights, weekends, holidays, while on vacation. My regular job at the university was a coordinator of marketing and development. Under that umbrella, I was able to maintain the program’s web site. In addition, I did the web and marketing work for something new: The Young Writer’s Loft. By the time that came around, I had transitioned away from daily operations. This five-day workshop for high school students included public readings, feedback on student work, and the production of a student magazine. (I wish they would do that again.)

    Note: To discover more about The Young Writer’s Loft, the Fall 2004 issue of The Trunk has the initial promo, and the Summer 2006 issue has a write up of the event, along with a few photos. (Links to both issues are listed below.)

  • The next generation

    Long ago, when I was putting the pieces of the puzzle together, I knew I’d wake up one day, see an advert for the program, and not have a thing to do with it. I’m thrilled that it thrives today. Now, the English Department runs the program, and it’s called MTSU Write. They celebrate creative writing through instruction, mentorship, and outreach. Once, I went back to one of the department’s conferences and gave a lecture entitled, “Living a Proactive Literary Life.” It was well attended and received. But I’m too emotionally attached to return again. For a taste of The Writer’s Loft events, check out the following links:

in the spotlight: the trunk

Each year, The Writer’s Loft published an issue of The Trunk, a creative companion to the program. It was a compilation of essays, poems, short stories, feature stories, book reviews, and novel excerpts written by the program’s students, mentors, alumni, and invited guest writers. We published four issues from 2003 to 2006. Click on each link below to launch a PDF of the issue. Notice how it improves with each issue. I can’t pick a favorite semester or issue, but I sure get a kick out of page 51 of the 2006 issue. Suzanne Craig Robertson wrote a killer piece, entitled “Writer’s Loft Sabbatical Well Worth Hurdles: You’ll Need a Laptop, Coffeepot, and Shower Shoes.”