Reading my essay at a panel alongside other writers published in the literary journal “Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle”
Author: Olivia Schaap | Major: English | Semester: Spring 2022
Conferences are an excellent choice for the up-and-coming Honors College student, especially if you’re able to find one recognizing your particular discipline. They look great on CV’s and resumes, they’re fantastic networking opportunities, and they make a great excuse to travel somewhere new while learning about research from your peers. And with funding opportunities available from the Honors College, there’s no reason not to go and explore the many conferences available for undergraduates in any field!
For me, I attended the annual conference of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honors society. After two years of the pandemic restricting our ability to meet in person, our society members were all the more eager to meet again in Atlanta, GA for the 2022 conference. Thanks to the support and generosity of the University’s Honors College, I had the privilege to attend this conference, present a part of my thesis research, and celebrate the discipline of English with my peers.
I had been extended a personal invitation to give a reading at the conference because I had an essay published in Sigma Tau Delta’s literary journal. I was honored at the recognition of the work that had originated from my honors thesis, which is a collection of creative nonfiction personal essays. Colloquially referred to as “the fourth genre,” creative nonfiction refers to memoirs, essays, and stories that are factual and grounded in reality, but are combined with the craft elements of creative writing and storytelling. As writer Lee Gutkind defines it, works of creative nonfiction are “true stories, well told.” This genre creates a unique intersection between the gravitas of real life, and personal self-expression.
As a creative writer, I have found creative nonfiction to be a powerful medium through which I can share my own stories. For example, the piece that was published through Sigma Tau Delta is a lyric essay titled A Collection of Unsent Thank-You Letters, and explores how my mentors and teachers impacted my upbringing. Writing this essay allowed me to reflect more meaningfully on my life and the influences upon it, which inspired what has become my completed thesis, Subject to Change; an Exploration of Personal Growth.
Reading this essay at a conference was so rewarding and validating as a writer. I’d been nervous to read a story that discussed such vulnerable moments in my life in front of a crowd. This was a far departure from the hours I had spent writing at my desk alone. Although the act of reading and writing is inherently a collaborative effort in communication, we still play our parts individually. The writer rarely meets the reader. For me to stand in front of a group of people and see them react to my words in real time showed me the true impact of my writing. Afterwards, I had several peers and professors come up and tell me how much they appreciated my story, or how they resonated with it, or how inspiring it was. This has humbled me beyond ability to express. Often creative types struggle to see the true worth of our art in a society that is focused more on profits and bottom lines. This conference reaffirmed my passion and dedication to my craft, and allowed me to do the same for my peers.
Truly, this is what conferences are about at heart. Beyond professional development, networking, travel, and new friends, conferences are about passionate people sharing their work with like-minded individuals, and fostering that shared interest together. They’re a way to grow, learn, explore, and expand your horizons. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the resources available to you, and visit a conference of your own! You never know what great connections you might make.