Faculty and staff participated in a creative writing reading event via Zoom on Thursday, November 18. The event lasted from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There were roughly 30 people listening in live.
There were 8 featured readers. Faculty and staff explained why they shared their stories and what they meant to them.
Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, Daniel Ruefman, read an excerpt from his memoir, What the Fuzz? Survival Stories of a Minor League Mascot.
Ruefman said, “I like to tell stories that people enjoy—otherwise what’s the point?”
“I mean, how many people get knocked out by a WWE Diva while dressed up as an anthropomorphic wolf? So, this is a story that definitely struck me as unique,” said Ruefman.
Graduate student intern of the student organization, The Qube, Nakkiah Stampfli also presented a piece.
Stampfli said, “My compiled script is a coming out story, and it's a story about the resilience of the ongoing process of coming out and continuing to love yourself in a world where many won't understand nor accept you for who you are.”
Stampfli said, “I most enjoy writing pieces that can be translated into something that can be put on stage.”
Administrator at the Registration and Records Office of UW-Stout, Josh Lind, said the creative writing community on campus is a supportive group. Lind read 4 poems in total.
“I think creative writing is a good opportunity for self-discovery. It also leads to a better understanding of how one relates to the world, our communities, and our loved ones,” said Lind.
Ruefman said, “Conducting readings is a fun, low-stakes way to try new material out on people.”
The literature committee sent out an invitation for readers to volunteer to share their writing. The creative writing reading takes place annually in November.
“I’d encourage people to share their work with others as it can help with development, but also because it can help you to connect with an audience who might be interested in reading more,” said Ruefman.
“We are made to be creative, to be innovative, to share and build new things - including ideas, relationships, places, and things. Writing is just one way to do that,” said Stampfli.