Creative Writing Club gives writers a sense of community

In room 213, writers of all genres pen works of fiction in record time-- usually in thirty, maybe under twenty, and sometimes even within fifteen minutes. With nothing more than a simple, one-lined prompt, entire worlds are formed from thin air featuring compelling characters and storylines. Meetings for the Creative Writing Club take place every-other week, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday. After writers complete their work, they have the choice to share their creation with fellow club members.

Club member, Josie Labrie, reveals what the club means to her.

“It means being able to express myself without judgment and being able to get feedback for the stories I’m writing.”

If members of the club choose to tryout, they have the possibility of making it onto the team that will compete with other schools at a competition known as PenOhio. Each school’s team is made up of twelve total writers, six from Varsity and six from Junior Varsity. If there is success at the regional tournament, the team will move on to the state competition where the level of competition will increase due to schools from all across Ohio striving to bring back their own awards and titles.

Creative Writing Club would not be as successful as it is today without the hard work and passion of club adviser, Conni Hilston. With her unrelenting dedication to the club and the students who love it so much, Hilston was able to bring the 2015-2016 writing team to the first PenOhio competition in 2016. After which, numerous trophies were brought to the school, symbolizing the writing talents held by Aurora students. This, cites Hilston, was her “favorite memory.”

Hilston credits her daughter’s love of writing as the inspiration behind the creation of the club. The club has come such a long way since its beginning.

Getting the club officially established was not difficult, but Hilston did have to first “see if the concept would thrive.”

And thrive it did. Students involved enjoy the experience of the competition and of meeting writers like themselves. So much so that the PenOhio competition in May has been what the writers look forward to all year.

When asked what has surprised her since the formation of the Creative Writing Club, Hilston responded, “I’ve been most surprised by the sophisticated level at which our students perform.”

Writers who wish to be a part of the Creative Writing Club, and maybe tryout for a place on the team, should see Ms Hilston in room 213 for the code to the Google Classroom and details on following meetings.

Hilston was asked about what she wants people to know about the club. To that, she states, “People should know that Creative Writing Club is open to everyone, not just self-proclaimed creative writers.”

Whether you create novels, short stories, poetry or any other form of writing, this club provides a space for imaginative students to meet people like themselves, listen to works made by their peers, and create worlds of their own.