La’Keisha R. Gray 15.6

Wishing upon a star is not something Jeremy Griggs can relate to, unless that star is himself.

SIUC is a harbor for many aspiring writers, one of whom is Griggs, a junior in journalism from Alton, whose writing has appeared in literary publications and has been produced on stage.

Advertisement

Griggs said his creative writing is fueled by everyday reality.

Whenever I see an interesting person or situation, I get a burning desire to put it in words or up on stage, he said. When I get an idea, it just consumes me. I want to know the whole angle so I can fully represent.

Griggs does his best writing when his creativity has free reign. To practice and hone his writing skills, Griggs enrolls in creative writing courses and is a member of a play group.

Brenda Major, the coordinator of multi-cultural enrollment for New Student Admissions, said because she is an adviser for OOPs Entertainment she is often exposed to students like Griggs.

I deal with a group of students who primarily want to act, but they also want to write, she said. Most of them are doing it in their spare time because they have an interest in it, but primarily it’s a hobby for them.

Although many of the students are interested in writing as a hobby, Major said those who plan to write as a profession should start taking vigorous steps toward achieving their goals.

If they have a desire to write, then they should start writing now and write what they know, Major said. Then just take a class in it too, to see if they want to do it as a profession.

Advertisement*

Aside from those who actually want to pursue a career, some students have only a fond memory of writing creatively.

Adam Rak, a senior in radio-television from Champaign, laughingly recalls his writing days.

I haven’t written recently, he said. When I was a little kid, I was assigned to write poetry, and I always tried to rhyme.

Although most students who choose writing as a profession seek big bucks and star status, the avenue to stardom is not the route Griggs wants his writing to travel.

I do want to get to a point where my work is recognized nationally, Griggs said. But, I follow whatever happens in my life. I’m not ambitiously headed to Hollywood anytime soon.

And while Griggs’ goals are not Hollywood bound, Darian Sims, a senior in cinematography, is looking to bask in the fame and glory his various career choices promise.

After writing two screenplays and having two in progress, Sims has big plans for the future.

I plan on producing, directing, starring and writing my own screenplays and feature-length films, Sims said.

Along the way, Griggs has encountered discouragement from those who have commented that his race and residential location are negative factors hindering him.

People say, You’re black so it’s going to be twice as hard,’ or You’re in the country so you don’t have good contacts and an agent,’ he said.

Yet, lately he has drawn encouragement from strides made in the world of fiction.

It’s encouraging to see how many new (African-American) writers there are with a variety of subjects and people, Griggs said. I can’t imagine doing anything else, and when I tell people I’m going to be a writer they say, Oh, we already knew that.’