Writing in Tallahassee

By Danny Menter on April 30, 2012

Writers are a lonely bunch. We huddle against notebooks and pads of paper, scribbling furiously. We have stacks of journals and zip-drives full of stories we’ve never shared, whole worlds that exist only for our enjoyment. Whenever a teacher or family member asks to see what we’ve been working on for so long we slide our work away and close our laptop screens, afraid of rejection, laughter or even support. But this self-consciousness not only robs aspiring writers of the chance to improve their work, it deprives people of the chance to enjoy it.

At a school which houses one of the best Creative Writing programs in the country, there is no shortage of great writers in Tallahassee. You can walk into any coffee shop in town and see someone glaring at their laptop screen, fingers flying over the keys. In this kind of environment it’s easy to be intimidated. These are people who have submitted their work, been published, and won awards. But, they also started off exactly where we are now, taking their first, wobbly baby steps towards being a better writer. You can’t be published in a vacuum, at some point or another your work will have to be sent to an editor or publishing house to be picked apart by people who live and breathe writing. Taking advantage of the writing community in Tallahassee now will only benefit you down the road.

Photo by Justin Brockie via Flickr.com

The Tallahassee Writers Association is a great place to start. The group caters to all age groups and all types of writers: non-fiction, journalism, fiction and poetry. Some of the members include published authors from the area who are on hand to give advice and share their experiences. Membership fees for students are only twenty bucks and the proceeds go to guest lecturers and workshops. They also provide tips on promoting and publishing your novel, and sponsor writing conferences and contests. Getting involved can help you network with and talk to writers in the community.

For students who would like to submit their work or snag an internship over the summer The Kudzu Review is the place to do it. The Review is a literature magazine that publishes student submitted work and can give you an idea of what kind of writing is popular on campus. They also hold contests for fiction and poetry.

In addition, FSU holds its Visiting Writer series at The Warehouse off Gaines St. every Tuesday night at 8pm, past writers and lecturers have included Susan Wood, Kathryn Starbuck and Jennifer Egan.

So, whether you’re a creative writing major or just someone who likes to write short stories or poetry on the side, getting involved with fellow writers in town can help inspire you to continue your craft and can help convince others to do the same.

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