Off and Writing

by Jessica Nystel '06

It’s a little bit of writing.
It’s a little bit of performing.
But it’s a lot of teamwork.
It’s all just a little…this n’ that.

This N’ That, Wartburg’s first poetry club, is the newest writing club on campus. Ronnisha King, a sophomore biology major who also enjoys writing, is president of the club. King enjoys many aspects of writing but finds poetry particularly enjoyable. Over the years she’s filled four books full of poetry that she likes to read from time to time.

“You can go back and look at what you wrote and how you changed,” she said. “It’s an interesting way to keep a journal.”

When King came to Wartburg, she kept writing but noticed there was no group that focused specifically on poetry. However, knowing many of her friends and other students enjoyed writing poetry, too, King saw there was room on campus for a poetry club that emphasized the aspect of writing and performing.

“We wanted a club, and we also wanted to be formally recognized by the school administration,” she said.

After writing a letter to student senate, drafting a club constitution and being approved by senate, This N’ That was formally recognized as a college club in late 2003.

The core group of This N’ That is about 10 people, but King is quick to note that the number fluctuates to about 15. A few new people usually come to each meeting. The meetings take place Wednesday nights at 8:30 in the Mannie Holmes House.

One of the first activities the group does at each meeting is what King calls a “free write.” Everyone draws a card with a word on it and spends the next 15 minutes writing a poem about that word. After sharing their free write, the floor is open to poems that people may have brought in to read. However, there is no pressure to read anything out loud if someone doesn’t want to. Peer critique usually follows most poems, but King makes sure everyone is conscious of the writer’s feelings.

“The main thing is respect,” she said. “People are doing this because they want to, and they have to feel comfortable.”

One of the biggest differences between This N’ That and another new writing club is the emphasis This N’ That puts into the performance aspect of poetry. King feels the way a poem is presented can enhance a listener’s experience.

“It’s not just reading—there’s so much drama and feeling put into it,” King said.

Towards the end of each meeting, King said someone shares or teaches something the group should know. One week King taught the group how to put together fliers and brochures to publicize This N’ That. Another week one member taught others the finer points of performance etiquette.

The membership, small and growing steadily, is widely varied in writing experience.

“Some people are just starting out, but some people have been writing longer than I have,” King said.  “There are a few people who graduated a few years ago and come to the meetings.”

Not only is the membership varied, but also so are the types of poems presented. King mentioned that one of the new members writes some poems in French.

“He translates some of what he writes,” King said. “We’re open to any type of poetry.”

Even though This N’ That is just beginning, King and other members already have big plans. In March the group will travel to Chicago for a poetry retreat and workshop. The group also plans on publishing a poetry book. They are submitting approximately 48 pages worth of poems to the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry contest. First prize is $2,000.

“If we win the money, we’re going to use it for printing our book,” King said.

With or without the prize money the group plans to publish its manuscript and distribute it in area stores. In March the group will work at the concession stands for track meets to raise money. An ice-cream social is also planned for the spring. The club will sell picture key chains at the social to help finance the book.

With a solid foundation of dedicated members, King hopes This N’ That will continue to grow and publish their work at a competitive level.

“We want to be able to invite outside professionals to our group and hold our own workshops,” she said. “We hope to bring attention to Wartburg, Waverly, and the Waterloo area.”

Jessica Nystel '06 is a communication arts major at Wartburg College.