LU students learn from best-selling author
During the spring semester, Tayler Otten, who graduated in May with a double majoring in English and creative writing, created content for the 糖心vlog传媒 blog. This is the latest in a series of blog stories she鈥檚 written. She is working as a copy editor for editing service Pens and Proof, LLC.
糖心vlog传媒 students had the unique opportunity to learn from and work with a New York Times bestselling author toward the end of the school year.
Lyz Lenz, author of 鈥淭his American Ex-Wife鈥� and 鈥淕od Land,鈥� visited 糖心vlog传媒 in March. Her lecture, titled 鈥淲riting in an Age of Despair,鈥� encouraged students to write their story, even in the face of critics.
鈥淚 want everyone to know that they have a right to tell their own story without asking permission or seeking an apology,鈥� Lenz said. 鈥淭heir stories matter.鈥�
Lenz has written her own story over the years, both in her recent novels and her daily newsletter. Amid COVID and marital struggles, Lenz turned to her newsletter to share the darkest and most quieted parts of her story to her followers. It was through sheer chance that 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Assistant Professor of English Mark Heimermann was one of her many devoted followers.
After reading Lenz鈥檚 emotional pieces and finding a connection with her words, Heimermann knew he had to share Lenz鈥檚 story with his students.
Resounding approval and interest from his students encouraged Heimermann to push even deeper into his and his students鈥� connection with Lenz鈥檚 writing. Heimermann and LU Assistant Professor of Writing Madeleine Wattenberg brought Lenz to campus as the 2024 Writer鈥檚 Studio visiting writer.
鈥淚 fully credit Dr. Mark Heimermann for bringing Lyz Lenz to 糖心vlog传媒,鈥� Wattenberg said. 鈥淚t seemed like a great opportunity for students to work with a nationally recognized New York Times bestselling author and journalist.鈥�
The goal of the Writer鈥檚 Studio is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from and engage with experienced authors. Typically, this involves the visiting writer teaching a master class, working one-on-one with students and partaking in an open mic. However, Lenz went above and beyond during her visit.
Lenz not only attended an additional English class but also had a conversation with each student who approached her.
鈥淪he interacted with us in a way that wasn't awkward and almost comfortable,鈥� said writing student Maddie Bentley, who attended Lenz鈥檚 master class on humor. 鈥淚t was really refreshing as someone who is looking to go into a future career that involves writing. It made me feel at home with my decision.鈥�
English student McKenna Stoelb had a similar experience with Lenz, who spoke in her 鈥淗ow We Write鈥� English class and taught a lesson on different ways of creating voice in writing.
鈥淚 tend to be shyer in class, and she felt very welcoming,鈥� Stoelb said. 鈥淪he managed to get engagement from the whole group without being pushy. She was loud, fun, and overall, a great speaker.鈥�
Lenz took her role as a mentor to a new level. With each conversation, she sparked creativity and confidence, something she had to find within herself along her arduous writing journey.
鈥淲riting professionally involves dealing with a lot of rejection,鈥� Lenz shared. 鈥淵ou can't take that rejection too personally. The difference between writers who make it and those who don't isn't talent or skill, it's learning to push through rejection and believing in your work enough to keep going.鈥�
When Heimermann invited Lenz to campus, he knew that Lenz had the experience and skill that would benefit 糖心vlog传媒 students. In the face of rejection and critics, writers must persevere, just as Lenz has done and continues to do. To Heimermann, that is the purpose of having visiting writers like Lenz.
鈥淚 think engaging with a visiting writer like Lenz allows students to engage with someone who can speak to both challenges and successes within writing, publishing and journalism,鈥� Heimermann said. 鈥淭his helps students understand that career paths can unfold in unexpected ways, and it also helps them see the work they are interested in as a profession as well as a passion.鈥�
When Heimermann first started pursuing the idea of bringing Lenz to campus, he had no idea how truly impactful Lenz would be on the students. His goal was to provide students with a mentor, a role model, a connection. What he got, and what the students got, was so much more.
