By Max Kasten

Do you like writing? Are you looking for a class that allows the maximum creativity you desire in a school course? Then the newly added Creative Writing course might be right for you. Many students are already interested in this class introduction.

Ms. Julia Showalter, an Oakdale English Eleven and AP Literature teacher, runs the Creative Writing Club and now has introduced a credited course. She says that she is really looking forward to developing relationships and allowing students to feel safe and open.

“I think that’s one thing I was especially happy with when I previously taught this course, not being afraid to share your creations.” Ms. Showalter said excitedly.

Writing is about not constricting. It’s about having fluidity in what you’re trying to express.

“Creative Writing is going to be about introducing different types of writing and not feeling judged about what you’re putting out there,” according to Ms. Showalter.

Both Creative Writing and Journalism are useful to anyone looking to better improve in their writing and English skills. Journalism is also a class about creativity in writing, but more focused towards news and politics, while Creative Writing is more about personal pieces. Neither replace an English credit, but are still great to consider if you’re looking for a fun and interesting elective.

Mrs. Alexia Isacco, English Nine and Journalism teacher, expressed her interest in the class being introduced. “Yes, I’m looking forward to the introduction of Creative Writing! I’m looking forward to the students having multiple options in what they want to do.”

She spoke about how there has been a need for a Creative Writing course for a while, and now it’s finally here and everyone is excited. Mrs. Isacco enjoys teaching Journalism, and it’s basically the same concept as Creative Writing, just with more non-fiction topics.

Ms. Showalter is quite excited for the class introduction. She has told the Creative Writing Club about the course, and everyone was on board. The club itself is about having a safe space to come to and discuss writing, and write about more personal beliefs and emotions, rather than a strict guideline. Prompts are given sometimes, as are free-writes. It’s a great opportunity for young authors as a club; it will be even more so as a course.

Alyson Flora, a Young Author’s Contest winner this year, is “super excited!” about the introduction of Creative Writing as a course. Flora said she generally prefers fiction writing over non-fiction, so the course would be more beneficial for her. She hopes to learn more about how to create dialogue and further story structure, and that should be apparent in the class, according to Ms. Showalter.