Flowing words, passion and knowledge were shared in an open-to-the-public poetry workshop, reading and signing at Utah Tech University March 31.
Authors Brenda Miller and Joel Long shared their work with the St. George community at the General Classroom Building, where they were able to connect with aspiring creative writers.
Miller is an award-winning author and has published works such as “The Daughters of Elderly Women” and “Telephone: Essay in Two Voices.” Long is a photographer and poet who has published books of poetry, “Winged Insects” and “Knowing Time by Light.”
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Miller and Long provided a workshop to spark inspiration with writing prompts. With advice on incorporating rhythm to juxtapositions, the authors provided techniques that writers can use to make their writing even more impactful.
“But that [impact] comes from practice,” Miller said. “This comes from just being able to hit the ground running. Go with whatever comes into your mind first.”
Some writers might struggle to find a way to start their journey with their work, so Long provided advice.
“I’m sure that you may have heard this before, but I think all writing is discovery,” Long said. “So for me in poetry, part of what I want to happen when I sit down and write a poem is to find out where I want it to go.”
Pizza and drinks fueled writers to put their all into their writing prompts, creating a relaxed night.
Cindy King, Utah Tech professor of English and the faculty advisor for The Southern Quill, put together this event in hopes of bringing more attention to what the English department has to offer on campus.
“I am a cheerleader for literature, creative writing and the literary magazine and I’m trying to get students more involved,” King said. “The fact that we’re Utah Tech also maybe implies that we’re just a technical school. Math, science, engineering, and I want to remind students like, ‘Hey, we’re still here, you know, we’re free to write and join us. It’s fun.’ We have all kinds of cool activities.”
After the workshop, there was a poetry reading where Long and Miller were able to share their work, showcasing poetic essays featuring topics of grief and climate issues. Miller and Long hoped to inspire and connect with writers who attended their poetry reading.
“I hope the things I read will connect to people on an emotional level and urge them to read more, also to help them think about their own writing,” Miller said. “I’d like to encourage them to write what’s in their hearts.”
Long hopes he can inspire others to be writers through his voice.
“Hearing writers read in public for the first time and getting a sense of what that voice might do and what kinds of meaning that might carry, which to me matters a lot,” Long said. “The young writer starts to understand what the vessel of the language can do. The musicality, the language, etc. Hearing writers, it made me want to be a writer. It made me want to tell those stories.”
