The creative writing minor gives students opportunities to participate in writing workshops and both on and off-campus literary journals. Students said this minor is more than courses because it leads to creation.
Cole Johnson, a senior from Idaho studying English, minored in creative writing. Johnson said, “The creative writing minor is anything but a minor. It has pushed me in my study and my creation of stories, essays, and poems without moving away from its foundation—which is creativity.”
Rebecca Rodrigues, a senior from Iowa studying marine biology, is currently finishing up her minor in creative writing. She said, “The creative writing minor is a minor that not only allows a creative outlet for those on campus that have a passion for writing, but also benefits any major or area of study you are taking.
“I have learned how to better write so that others really understand the message I am trying to relay.”
Rodrigues said she feels her writing has improved tremendously in this minor and it has helped her in her other classes as well.
Joe Plicka, an associate professor in the BYU–Hawaii Arts and Letters department, said, “This minor is definitely not for everyone. It is for the readers and those who value the power of imagination and the ability for art and language to transform us.”
He added, “I also recommend everyone who even has a small interest in writing take at least one creative writing class. You never know, it could help you discover something that you never knew about yourself and can help you discover a new talent and form of literary art.”
New popularity
The creative writing minor used to be a much smaller minor until the new Holokai program began and all students needed a humanities minor. Ever since then, the number of students in this minor has increased and the classes have become much larger, according to Plicka.
With a minor in creative writing from BYUH, students are prepared to take this skill into marketing, advertising, sociology, history, and any other field where writing creativity will be used. This minor gives students a fundamental and building block foundation.
Plicka said, “BYUH is such a unique school in the way that it allows students in all majors and degrees to have a perspective from people from other countries. With the creative writing minor and talking to people from other places, it gives people a new way to look at art and literature.”
Rodrigues said, “I was able to present at a national writer conference and create a writing journal that I can proudly tote around after college. I have never regretted choosing my minor.”
Kula Manu
The students in the creative writing minor publish the BYUH campus literary journal, Kula Manu, every year. The Kula Manu accepts submissions in poetry, short fiction, essays, photography, and art. The top two winners in each category receive a cash prize. Not everyone who submits to the Kula Manu is accepted but everyone is welcomed to submit. Submissions for 2019 are closed but students can work to submit for next year.
Writer: Mackenzie Beaver