Writing Marathon

The Department of Writing and Rhetoric began holding twice yearly writing marathons in the fall of 2011, inspired by similar marathons hosted by the National Writing Project and its Oakland University branch, The Meadow Brook Writing Project. The Department of Writing and Rhetoric writing marathons are a way to connect with a community of writers, explore OU’s campus, and come up with new and original pieces of writing.

Join us for the Fall 2024 Writing Marathon!

• Date: Thursday, September 26
• Time: 5:00pm - 8:00pm
• Location: Oakland Center Gold Rooms B & C

The Fall Writing Marathon is a great kick-off to the fall semester, and a creative way for students to get to know other students and the fabulous WRT faculty!

The basic concept of a writing marathon is to Walk, Write, Share. Traveling in a small group with other writers, you walk around campus, stopping every so often to write. Writers can choose to use writing prompts, or they can write in any genre, inspired by what they see, hear, or smell around them. After each stop, participants have the option to share what they wrote before continuing on the marathon.

The writing marathons start at 5 p.m., and after two hours of walking and writing, groups reconvene around 7 p.m. for large group sharing until 8 p.m.

Pizza, pop, and cookies provided.

What to Expect

Although you have some autonomy over where you'll be walking and writing, writers interested in participating in the event should come prepared with the following:

• paper
• pencil/pen
• laptop
• other preferred writing method
• comfortable shoes
• clothing appropriate for the weather

At the start of the writing marathon, writers will meet in the designated space in the Oakland Center for pizza, introductions, and brief instructions. Participants will then break into small groups and set off to explore campus and write before eventually reconvening in the Oakland Center for a final sharing session.

Walk, Write, Share

Writing marathons are a repeating cycle of walking, writing, and sharing, and groups will begin by walking until they find a place to write. They'll then set a timer and just write. There are no limitations to how or what you're writing (although you should always be aware and respectful of your audience); consider poetry, stream-of-consciousness, journaling, fiction, or song-writing. You can start a new piece each time you stop and write, or you can continue where you left off, it's all up to the author! After each writing session, writers have the opportunity to share what they wrote. At the end of the writing marathon, groups return to the starting point in the Oakland Center for further optional sharing and prizes.

Benefits

Many instructors offer extra credit to students for attending the writing marathon, so check with your instructor if you plan on attending. Writing marathons are also a good way to meet with other writers, explore campus, write in a casual and fun environment, and interact with faculty (if you choose) outside of the classroom environment.

Contact Special Lecturer Kathy Lawson at [email protected] with questions or for more information.