A great example of how the Creative Writing community positively impacts your writing is that each individual truly wants to listen to and support each other’s work. At first, the thought of having everyone gaze upon your pieces might seem intimidating, but as a freshman, I can reassure you that all of your peers—whether upperclassmen or fellow freshmen—are deeply respectful of each other’s writing styles. The more you put into your work, the greater the reactions you’ll receive, and this kind of encouragement becomes incredibly motivating. You’ll find that the more you put into your writing, the more you’re inspired to keep pushing your boundaries. In this way, you’ll feel compelled to bring your best work to the table because of the amazing energy from those around you.

There’s a saying that if you run with faster people, you’ll become faster, and the same holds true in the writing community. Being surrounded by upperclassmen and talented peers helps you grow. You can see your writing improve by simply observing how others approach their work, and by absorbing their advice and feedback.

One specific moment that stands out was when each person read out their narrative stories, stories they had poured so much effort into. Listening to their work, you could feel the passion and dedication they’d invested, and it was inspiring. When it was my turn to read, I was nervous at first, but seeing everyone so deeply engaged in a story I had worked hard on meant the world to me. It showed me that they cared, and that I had been motivated by my surroundings to write a piece that could captivate the imagination of other talented writers.

In the creative writing community, we not only improve our craft but also inspire each other to create better and better work.