Hidden gem at MIT provides platform for creative literature composition

Hidden gem at MIT provides platform for creative literature composition

Gathering every Monday at high noon, mix of MIT faculty, staff, students, alumni, and even spouses make their way to this unusual group meeting. Discussions revolve around dystopian nightmares, forgotten dreams, and captivating personal tales that an outsider might find puzzling. Given MIT's reputation for groundbreaking innovations, one might assume these creative minds are brainstorming futuristic technologies. Instead, they are part of the MIT Writers' Group, offering a platform for the MIT community to channel their imagination across various writing formats.

Creative writing might not resonate with the common vision of MIT, but this group has managed to stay relevant since its inception in 2002. Through the years, group size may have fluctuated, but its core process has remained steady. When providing feedback, written works are met with support first, followed by thoughtful, question-based analysis.

The approach has aided numerous writers throughout the years. Steven Strang, a former MIT lecturer of writing and rhetoric who has led the group since its start, summarizes the group's ethos as being supportive and constructive, rather than critical.

For some, creative writing serves as a release from the scientific work that takes up the rest of their day. For others, it is an opportunity to combine science and engineering concepts into artful narratives.

"I was amazed when I discovered that MIT has this," says Anne Hudson, a long-time member and former MIT administrative assistant. "MIT has fantastic resources. I view Writers' Group and the literary activities that occur here as some of MIT's best kept secrets."

Crafting a Safe Space for Expression

Steven Strang joined MIT in 1980 as a lecturer in the Department of Comparative Media Studies/Writing. He founded the MIT Writing and Communications Center (WCC) in 1981, an institution open to students, faculty, staff, and spouses seeking assistance with their writing and oral presentation skills. Over his decades at MIT, Strang earned praise, including a Levitan Teaching Prize and an MIT Infinite Mile Award, for his exceptional teaching abilities.

In 2002, Strang initiated a creative writing workshop during the MIT Independent Activities Period (IAP) for individuals not engaged in professional writing. Approximately 70 people showed up, and the group continued to meet weekly due to overwhelming participant interest.

Every few days before the meeting, the presenter for the week will distribute their work to the group. Once everyone has assembled, the presenter reads an excerpt of their work, often specifying the kind of feedback they're seeking. Then, reactions roll in.

"It may sound simple, but it's incredibly helpful," says Rosemary Booth, whose husband worked at MIT. "It highlights problems in the writing and boosts my confidence that I can address these issues."

Published authors like Janet Johnston, a senior export control officer in the MIT Research Compliance Office, gain immensely from the group's feedback-focused format. Johnston views her involvement in the group as a way to give back to the MIT community, which she views as more than just her workplace.

Group members have covered a wide range of writing genres, such as short stories, book reviews, poetry, creative non-fiction essays, autobiographies, and plays. They have also been published in various publications.

"It's fulfilling when someone gets published," says Strang. "However, the main reason for creative writing is self-discovery. No matter the subject, writing helps you delve deeper into your thoughts and emotions."

Although science fiction is well-represented within the group, members' writing centers around human experiences - relationships, love, betrayal, loss, and other aspects of everyday life.

"We have folks from diverse backgrounds," says Johnston. "They bring unique perspectives not just to their writing, but to each other's work as well."

The shared writing experience serves as a form of expression and introspection for most members.

"Self-exploration is essential for writers," declares Strang. "If you're grappling with a problem or situation that doesn't make sense, write about it. It really will help you understand things."

A Community for the Long Haul

As the group entered its second decade, it faced its greatest challenge yet when the Covid-19 pandemic forced campus closures, forcing the group to transition online.

"The pandemic was a real shock," says Booth. "We’d been gathering in classroom circles for so long. We wondered what virtual meetings would be like. But Steve managed it. He maintained the same format, and the process held."

Many members have been with the group for several years, with some sharing their experiences for over a decade.

"The group lasts because people truly get something from it," Hudson remarks. "People tend to stick around for long periods of time. Being a part of this supportive community of talented writers is validation of your own writing abilities."

Johnston, a member since 2016, explains the group’s longevity simply: "When you find something as positive and useful as this, you hold onto it."

To learn more about the group or join, contact Steven at [email protected].

Note: This group is an unofficial writers' group among MIT community members and does not have any formal affiliation with MIT.

Sources:1. MIT Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming: Writing Resources - https://uap.mit.edu/courses-and-programs/writing-resources2. MIT Libraries: Writing Programs - https://libraries.mit.edu/content/writing3. MIT Writing and Communication Center - https://wcc.mit.edu/4. Creative Writing and the CIA: A Moonshot for the Mind - https://writespace.mit.edu/cspt/posts/2017/04/24/creative-writing-and-the-cia-a-moonshot-for-the-mind5. The Modern Writer: Creative Writing Centers in Colleges and Universities - https://www.scu.edu/humities/ Arts/english/writing-programs/twc/the-modern-writer/

1. The MIT Writers' Group, formed in 2002, offers a platform for the MIT community to channel their imagination across various writing formats.
2. This unofficial group, led by Steven Strang, has managed to stay relevant since its inception, providing a safe space for expression and fostering self-discovery through creative writing.
3. University faculty, staff, students, alumni, and their spouses gather every Monday at high noon to discuss human experiences, relationships, love, betrayal, loss, and other aspects of everyday life.
4. The group covers a wide range of writing genres, such as short stories, book reviews, poetry, creative non-fiction essays, autobiographies, and plays, with members having been published in various publications.
5. When providing feedback, written works are met with support first, followed by thoughtful, question-based analysis, setting the group's ethos as being supportive and constructive rather than critical.
6. Although most members have diverse backgrounds, science fiction is well-represented within the group, but human experiences form the core of their writings.
7. Some members have been with the group for several years, with some sharing their experiences for over a decade, making the group a community for the long haul.

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