Creative Writing program

Undergrad minor

What is your story?

It is our human instinct to tell stories. Turn on the TV. Post on social media. Have a conversation with a friend. The stories we tell help us understand our identity in the world.

Creative writing is an imaginative and creative process. While creative writers may become book authors, they also enjoy a wide variety of career paths that require skills in creative problem solving, innovation, and communication.

UWL’s Creative Writing Minor is an opportunity to write, publish and join a collaborative and supportive community of writers.

Careers in creative writing

A minor in creative writing will lend to any career. Students can apply creative problem solving, communication, teamwork, professionalism, and deep exploration skills to any path. Example fields that a creative writing minor will complement are included below. Some students choose to continue their studies with a Master of Fine Arts degree.

What distinguishes UWL’s Creative Writing Minor?

Join a supportive community of writers

Classrooms within the minor become supportive and encouraging communities of writers where students learn to give and receive feedback. Students build confidence in their writing and critiquing skills in this collaborative environment while also learning how to effectively work on a team.

Practice publishing

Creative writing minors are involved in the publication of two magazines, which provide them with opportunities to gain professional skills related to writing, editing, and publishing. The Catalyst is a web-based publication of original prose, poetry, artwork, photography, videos, music, and more from UWL students, faculty and staff. Steam Ticket is a nationally-distributed journal featuring poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction from writers around the world. UWL student editors decide what is published in Steam Ticket.

Learn from published authors

William Stobb and Matthew Cashion, the primary instructors in the minor, are both published authors. They provide students with up-to-date information about the publishing industry, including tips and tricks related to finding publishing outlets that are appropriate based on a writer’s genre, skill, and style.

Connect with professional writers

Each semester students have an opportunity to network with a well-known, professional visiting writer. These writers typically visit a class, interact with students and engage in a public reading.

Engage in internship opportunities

Advisors and faculty in the English Department have helped students connect with writing-related internships. Students can also design their own internships and earn credit through a course offering within the minor.

Produce a polished body of work

Students write as part of classes and have multiple opportunities throughout the semester to get constructive feedback from instructors and peers to hone their skill and style.

Choose your writing path

The minor offers a large selection of courses, so creative writing students can build their own writing education around the specific genres of their choice or create a schedule of eclectic courses.

Test drive the minor

A creative writing course, English 305, is an excellent opportunity to try out creative writing without committing to the minor. This course also fulfils an upper division general education requirement. Those who enjoy the creative and expressive nature of the course, may want to continue and pursue a minor.

Sample courses

ENG 305 Creative Writing An advanced course which emphasizes the writing of poetry, short fiction, and analytical-evaluative writing about each of these genres. The course is taught by a practicing and published fiction writer or poet and is intended as the basic course in the creative writing English minor. It is also for those students interested in writing short fiction and/or poems. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Fall, Spring.

ENG 320 Literary Journal Production This is a workshop-style course in which students assemble and publish Steam Ticket, a nationally-distributed literary journal that attracts submissions from international authors and artists. Each student serves in positions such as Fiction Editor, Poetry Editor, Copy Editor, Managing Editor, Social Media Strategist, Staff Photographer, etc. Students gain real-world experience in publishing, titles to include on resumes, and exposure to contemporary trends in literature. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary and multicultural content and participation. Repeatable for credit - maximum six. Only three credits may be applied toward any individual major or minor. Prerequisite: 300 level writing course. Offered Spring.

ENG 317 Writing for Stage and Screen Students in this course achieve a broad introduction to the art and craft of writing screen and stage plays. Course readings will include models in each genre and exercises designed to stimulate creative processes. Critical assignments will challenge students to recognize and articulate principles of stage and screen drama. Creative assignments will challenge students to create their own original works in each genre. Each student will provide a script for review by the full class in a workshop setting, and the course will provide opportunities for staging, video production, or dramatic reading of students' works. Prerequisite: ENG 200-level course. Offered Every Third Semester.

ENG 343 Creative Nonfiction An advanced course which emphasizes the personal essay, memoir, and other forms that blur the distinction between fiction and factual writing. While creative nonfiction may be informative, it may also be personal and lyrical. Students will study voice, prose style, and techniques of structuring content. Prerequisite: ENG 110 or ENG 112. Offered Every Third Semester.