Voices

Butler Bridge

Posted by MS

Butler Bridge, the program connecting the Butler MFA with Indianapolis students grades 3-12, celebrated a successful semester with a Christmas party and gift exchange. Students and MFA mentors are excited about the upcoming semester.

bridge

The program consists of specialty workshops run by MFA students and monthly writing club meetings. The club is capped at fifty students and remains a huge draw in the community. Butler Bridge is directed by Mindy Dunn and her assistant Elisabeth Giffin. Elisabeth is also a mentor and the graduate assistant in marketing. She is now in her second year working with Bridge and took a few moments to explain the program and the benefits of getting involved.

What have you learned either about the kids through your experience? 

I’ve learned a lot about what sparks creativity in kids their age, and to be able to come up with things on the spot when a prompt doesn’t engage them. With the elementary kids, I really want them to be writing for most of the session. I’d rather I provide them with story starts for five or six stories so that they have something they can continue to work on once they leave Bridge. The older kids will often spend much longer working on one or two prompts, and perhaps work on revisions and peer comments. So I’ve learned to go with the flow and let each individual kid really dictate to me what they need from me to serve them best, and I think all our mentors really exemplify this as well. We’ve got an outstanding group of mentors this year in Logan Spackman, who is in his 2nd year mentoring, Bailey Merlin, John Eckerd, and Kyler Moor.

What do the mentors do?

Mentors are in charge with coming up with prompts for their assigned age group and helping to inspire the kids and get them writing. We are there to answer any questions, provide coaching and/or coaxing, and to just be present and in the moment with them.

We really try to get them to not critique themselves and to just produce without second guessing themselves. We strive to provide them with a supportive environment with inspiring prompts and fellow writers who are experiencing the same struggles and/or triumphs that they are. Also, with the opportunity to share their work at open mic, they get to practice public speaking as well as get the chance to “own” their work and the joy of having a room full of people listen to just them. I think it’s a really great thing for the students, parents, and mentors to sit in a room and support artistic expression, and it’s my favorite part of every Bridge event.  

Is Bridge only for kids who love to write?

No, but it helps! In the same way that a kid attending a sports camp would get more out of it if they loved athletics, if our students love to write and love to read, they’re probably going to enjoy it more than someone who doesn’t. But if you don’t love to write, or don’t think you know how to write? We’d love to have you come and try it out with us and maybe surprise yourself.

What’s planned for next semester? 

We will have our same Saturday Writing Club meetings, once a month, and we have 3 specialty workshops planned. We’ll have our official dates and information posted on our website and Facebook page soon. If you haven’t liked our Facebook page yet, please give us a “like” and see what we’ve got going on! And if you’re interested in being on our email list, send me an email at egiffin@butler.edu!

Butler Bridge

Posted by MS

Butler Bridge, the program connecting the Butler MFA with Indianapolis students grades 3-12, celebrated a successful semester with a Christmas party and gift exchange. Students and MFA mentors are excited about the upcoming semester.

bridge

The program consists of specialty workshops run by MFA students and monthly writing club meetings. The club is capped at fifty students and remains a huge draw in the community. Butler Bridge is directed by Mindy Dunn and her assistant Elisabeth Giffin. Elisabeth is also a mentor and the graduate assistant in marketing. She is now in her second year working with Bridge and took a few moments to explain the program and the benefits of getting involved.

What have you learned either about the kids through your experience? 

I’ve learned a lot about what sparks creativity in kids their age, and to be able to come up with things on the spot when a prompt doesn’t engage them. With the elementary kids, I really want them to be writing for most of the session. I’d rather I provide them with story starts for five or six stories so that they have something they can continue to work on once they leave Bridge. The older kids will often spend much longer working on one or two prompts, and perhaps work on revisions and peer comments. So I’ve learned to go with the flow and let each individual kid really dictate to me what they need from me to serve them best, and I think all our mentors really exemplify this as well. We’ve got an outstanding group of mentors this year in Logan Spackman, who is in his 2nd year mentoring, Bailey Merlin, John Eckerd, and Kyler Moor.

What do the mentors do?

Mentors are in charge with coming up with prompts for their assigned age group and helping to inspire the kids and get them writing. We are there to answer any questions, provide coaching and/or coaxing, and to just be present and in the moment with them.

We really try to get them to not critique themselves and to just produce without second guessing themselves. We strive to provide them with a supportive environment with inspiring prompts and fellow writers who are experiencing the same struggles and/or triumphs that they are. Also, with the opportunity to share their work at open mic, they get to practice public speaking as well as get the chance to “own” their work and the joy of having a room full of people listen to just them. I think it’s a really great thing for the students, parents, and mentors to sit in a room and support artistic expression, and it’s my favorite part of every Bridge event.  

Is Bridge only for kids who love to write?

No, but it helps! In the same way that a kid attending a sports camp would get more out of it if they loved athletics, if our students love to write and love to read, they’re probably going to enjoy it more than someone who doesn’t. But if you don’t love to write, or don’t think you know how to write? We’d love to have you come and try it out with us and maybe surprise yourself.

What’s planned for next semester? 

We will have our same Saturday Writing Club meetings, once a month, and we have 3 specialty workshops planned. We’ll have our official dates and information posted on our website and Facebook page soon. If you haven’t liked our Facebook page yet, please give us a “like” and see what we’ve got going on! And if you’re interested in being on our email list, send me an email at egiffin@butler.edu!

Happy Holidays

Posted by MS

Happy holidays and best wishes for a happy New Year!

Thanks to all the students, faculty, alumni, and guests who celebrated with the Butler MFA at the annual Holiday Party. Along with delicious food and drinks, impossibly difficult literary trivia and a book exchange were highlights of the evening. Of course, the best part of any Butler MFA party is enjoying new and old friendships.

party2 PicMonkey Collage

Happy Holidays

Posted by MS

Happy holidays and best wishes for a happy New Year!

Thanks to all the students, faculty, alumni, and guests who celebrated with the Butler MFA at the annual Holiday Party. Along with delicious food and drinks, impossibly difficult literary trivia and a book exchange were highlights of the evening. Of course, the best part of any Butler MFA party is enjoying new and old friendships.

party2 PicMonkey Collage

A Day at Writing in the Schools

Posted by MS

WITSStudents in Butler’s Writing in the Schools (WITS) class are a part of a unique experience mentoring Indianapolis teenagers through creative writing. Twice a week, a classroom normally used as a science lab at Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts and Humanities is transformed into a place of creative collaboration between Butler University and middle and high school students. Fifteen mentors guided by professor Chris Speckman and an average of forty kids unite in the after school club. The room is full, busy with laughter, chatter, and creative writing.

One student tucked himself into a corner and wrote the entire two hours. When asked what he was working on, he said, “Just writing. Whatever comes.” He pointed to his head and got back to work. Other students were more social. They shared ideas, questioned mentors, and cracked jokes.

WITS1

After eating a snack, the students join mentors in small groups. Speckman provides activity ideas and prompts, but the mentors are free to pursue their own ideas as well. MFA poetry student Natalie says she begins each session by talking with the students to see where their interests are that particular day. “Then I get them writing on that,” she said.

Many Broad Ripple students come to the club because they love to write. One student said, “I love to write so much. I like to write short stories and coming together with others and the mentors makes me write better.” Another student said he came because he has dreams of attending Butler one day. “Anything with Butler, I’m there.” Alison, a middle school student said she comes to the club every week. “It’s just a lot of fun. The mentors are all really nice and help me come up with good ideas.” The mentors are a big reason why many of the students come every week. Tre’yonna, a regular at the writing club said, “I like how the mentors treat us. I like their personalities. They are respectful.”

The mentors feel the same gratitude towards the students. Stephanie, an MFA fiction student said, “It’s been terrific to see creativity flourish. I’ve learned different ways to approach kids and teach them how to write.” She also admitted the students have taught her as well. “I learned you don’t always have to take writing so seriously. Sometimes you have to let the words flow. Words are meant to flow.”

There are few rules in writing club beyond safety and respect. MFA fiction student and WITS mentor Bailey said the purpose of the writing club is “pure fun.” Bailey said about half of the participants come regularly. By building a relationship, trust is formed. Students open up and share amazing stories and ideas. “There’s drama, a lot of laughs, and so much energy,” she said. “And talent. The students are way more talented that I was [at their age].” Greg, an MFA fiction candidate, agreed, “There are tons of absolutely talented kids.”

The club concludes with an open mic period showcasing student talent.

WITS2

Many students share their voice through stories, songs, skits, and poems. Though every mentor commented on the talent of the kids, the positive energy and joy that filled the room was most impressive. It was unmistakable; the students truly enjoy spending their afternoon writing with Butler students.

WITS is a can’t miss opportunity for all Butler MFA students. The experience is invaluable to a teaching resume, but the true reward is building friendships with people from different life situations, seeing the world through their lens, and making a difference in a child’s life. For more information email Chris Speckman or visit the WITS website.

A Day at Writing in the Schools

Posted by MS

WITSStudents in Butler’s Writing in the Schools (WITS) class are a part of a unique experience mentoring Indianapolis teenagers through creative writing. Twice a week, a classroom normally used as a science lab at Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts and Humanities is transformed into a place of creative collaboration between Butler University and middle and high school students. Fifteen mentors guided by professor Chris Speckman and an average of forty kids unite in the after school club. The room is full, busy with laughter, chatter, and creative writing.

One student tucked himself into a corner and wrote the entire two hours. When asked what he was working on, he said, “Just writing. Whatever comes.” He pointed to his head and got back to work. Other students were more social. They shared ideas, questioned mentors, and cracked jokes.

WITS1

After eating a snack, the students join mentors in small groups. Speckman provides activity ideas and prompts, but the mentors are free to pursue their own ideas as well. MFA poetry student Natalie says she begins each session by talking with the students to see where their interests are that particular day. “Then I get them writing on that,” she said.

Many Broad Ripple students come to the club because they love to write. One student said, “I love to write so much. I like to write short stories and coming together with others and the mentors makes me write better.” Another student said he came because he has dreams of attending Butler one day. “Anything with Butler, I’m there.” Alison, a middle school student said she comes to the club every week. “It’s just a lot of fun. The mentors are all really nice and help me come up with good ideas.” The mentors are a big reason why many of the students come every week. Tre’yonna, a regular at the writing club said, “I like how the mentors treat us. I like their personalities. They are respectful.”

The mentors feel the same gratitude towards the students. Stephanie, an MFA fiction student said, “It’s been terrific to see creativity flourish. I’ve learned different ways to approach kids and teach them how to write.” She also admitted the students have taught her as well. “I learned you don’t always have to take writing so seriously. Sometimes you have to let the words flow. Words are meant to flow.”

There are few rules in writing club beyond safety and respect. MFA fiction student and WITS mentor Bailey said the purpose of the writing club is “pure fun.” Bailey said about half of the participants come regularly. By building a relationship, trust is formed. Students open up and share amazing stories and ideas. “There’s drama, a lot of laughs, and so much energy,” she said. “And talent. The students are way more talented that I was [at their age].” Greg, an MFA fiction candidate, agreed, “There are tons of absolutely talented kids.”

The club concludes with an open mic period showcasing student talent.

WITS2

Many students share their voice through stories, songs, skits, and poems. Though every mentor commented on the talent of the kids, the positive energy and joy that filled the room was most impressive. It was unmistakable; the students truly enjoy spending their afternoon writing with Butler students.

WITS is a can’t miss opportunity for all Butler MFA students. The experience is invaluable to a teaching resume, but the true reward is building friendships with people from different life situations, seeing the world through their lens, and making a difference in a child’s life. For more information email Chris Speckman or visit the WITS website.