Creative writing journal gives students chance to share their talent.
“It gives a boost of confidence to those who do creative writing, it allows them to get their work known,” said Mari Murdock, senior in English from Laie, Hawaii. Murdock serves as the editor-in-chief for the Kula Manu, a literary journal published at BYU–Hawaii with the next issue preparing for release in April 2012.
The Kula Manu has been in existence almost as long as the school, the first known issue published in 1960. “It began as nothing more than a few Xeroxed pages, but has since changed into a professional journal,” said Myrna Marler, faculty advisor for the publication. The Kula Manu accepts entries in poetry, fiction, photography and creative non-fiction from all students who want to submit. Every year, the journal receives between 200 and 400 entries, and prizes are given to the best entries in each category. While many of the entries come from English majors, Marler says, “we like to try and have as many voices in the journal as possible.”
Above: Dr. marler and a group of her creative writing class prepare the Kula Manu for publishing.
Marler’s creative writing class is tasked with sorting through all the entries and picking the best for each category. “They are able to get valuable career experience; they learn to critique, learn to take responsibility, learn how to give a negative message (rejection), and in some cases, to be rejected.” She went on to say that students take pride in being associated with the publication, and that they often take a copy with them to graduate school or job interviews.
Beyond career experience, it also builds character in those who enter, whether they are accepted or not. “Many who write creatively never get the chance to have their work read by an audience,” said Murdock. “Often that is because they have some trouble sharing what they have done. The Kula Manu gives them an audience, and gives them a chance to validate their passion.”
The Kula Manu will be available April 5 in the Library, the Aloha Center, Reading Writing Lab, and in the English Department.
Photo by Monique Saenz.