Pressure from friends.  The search for new ideas.  A fresh set of eyes to give creative feedback.  The reasons that NASH students first join the Creative Writing Club vary. However, once in the door, many members soon find a source of new friendships and inspiration.

“I’m actually in the process of writing my own novel, so when my friend mentioned she was in a creative writing club I thought it’d be up my alley and maybe help me get ideas for the novel,” said senior Karthik Arutla, who first joined in 10th grade and now serves as the club’s Co-President.

The club’s other Co-President, senior Shreya George, shares a similar story about joining.

“I got involved in the club once [the] cross country season was over in 9th grade,” George explained. “My friend knew about my love for writing and dragged me over after school.”

Although they were both propelled into joining the club because of their enjoyment of writing, George and Arutla returned to meeting after meeting because of the atmosphere and community they found.

“I enjoy being in the club because it’s a place where I can really portray my personality on paper,” George stated. “I can share a bit of myself with others and get to know my peers.  Writing is something I enjoy and so the club is one way I can do what I love.  It’s also a way to de-stress [after] school.”

Arutla extolled the club’s benefits to both his writing skills and his mental state.

“I stuck with it because it was in fact a relaxing thing for me and I enjoyed being able to share my writing, not just the novel but also other prompts we wrote off of and get feedback on my writing style,” he said.

Last year, when the club nearly disbanded, Arutla and George stepped up to save the after-school activity they enjoyed so much.  Mrs. Volpe agreed to serve as the teacher sponsor, and the Creative Writing Club resumed its Thursday meetings.

The aforementioned meetings allow participants to practice generating ideas based on prompts provided by George and Arutla and share their work.

“Basically, we talk for a few minutes just to relax a bit.  Then, I introduce a prompt and we write off of that for 30 minutes.  Usually, we talk during that time about what we’re writing.  And then, in the end, we go around and share if we’d like,” Arutla said. “If someone doesn’t want to share we ask them to at least summarize and let us know what they intended but we never worry if they don’t finish.  After all, it’s only 30 minutes.”

“However, just because we write doesn’t mean we just write or type away,” Artula continued. “We tend to talk and try to make everyone feel involved in our conversations.  Even in NAI [North Allegheny Intermediate], we were known to be quite the talkers.  I bet Mrs. Volpe would also agree that we talk a lot.  We also try to bring in food so that people can engage in the club.”

The club is always looking for new members.  When asked why someone should join, George and Arutla listed many different reasons.

“I’m definitely biased in this matter, since I’m running the club with the help of friends, but I believe people should join the club to change up their routine, meet others, relax, and portray their creativity on paper,” George said. “Overall, I think the club has a great environment where you can be yourself.  No one will ever judge you and you can be yourself whether that be your writing or you physically.”

Arutla echoed the praise about relaxing and meeting others, while also mentioning the ability to share student passions.

“[The club is] a nice relaxed environment [in which] you get to meet people you never thought you would who are also interested in writing, some of which have their own novels,” he said. “It’s quite difficult to get people to read your own works, so this could connect you with like-minded people.  It’s a very noncommittal club too, so you can just show up for a meeting every now and then with no issues.”

Creative Writing Club meets every Thursday from 2:30-3:15 in Mrs. Volpe’s room, and all are welcome to come check the meetings out.