Cultivating Creative Writing Spaces: The Writer's Room

Emily Preziose

 Co-Presenters: Maya Ostfeld
College: College of Liberal Arts
Major: English Writing Studies (M.A.)
Faculty Research Mentor: Maria (Mia) Zamora
 

Abstract:

The Writer’s Room is a multi-media writing collaboration project created by graduate writing students in ENG5020: Writing Theory and Practice directed by Dr. Mia Zamora. The Graduate students: Emily Preziose, Maya Ostfeld, Ava Camargo, Jonena Brezinski, Brittney Kennedy, and Daniel Alcoriza designed and published a website in order to foster and encourage the writing community through collaboration and connection. After researching a variety of writing theories and practices, the class felt inspired by the findings on writing and mental health. Influenced by concepts such as junk journals and writing communities, the graduate students looked to create an online space for writers to connect, create, and express those unchecked emotions- thus, The Writer’s Room was created. The ambition of The Writer’s Room is to cultivate a space that encourages community, creative writing, and mindfulness. As graduate students of English Writing Studies, the class collectively agreed that daily writing plays an important role in regulating their emotions and daily activities. The website is comprised of writing prompts with printable PDFs, fun quizzes, a gallery of answered prompts, and an “about us” section to give users a sense of connection. The Writer’s Room is passionate about getting people to exercise their creativity and get excited about writing.