Pacific Index

Pacific students find inspiration and community through the Visiting Writers Series

By: Abby Fisher

   At Pacific University, the Visiting Writers Series is more than just another campus event— it’s something a lot of students look forward to. By bringing authors into a smaller, more personal setting, the series gives students a chance to hear what a life in writing actually looks like beyond the classroom.

   One of the biggest takeaways shared about the series is how it reshapes expectations about becoming a writer. Instead of focusing on instant success, visiting authors often talk about the unpredictable paths that got them where they are.

   Rylee Larson, coordinator of the series, sees this as one of its most important aspects. “I find it incredibly important for the young writers and readers on Pacific’s campus to attend all the Visiting Writers that they can,” Larson says. “Hearing about real experiences from authors that are right in front of you gives so much hope for the industry. Not everyone’s path is to receive a million-dollar book deal right out of college; sometimes it takes decades.”

   Students agree that hearing these different journeys makes the idea of becoming a writer feel more realistic. “It is a cool opportunity for students who want to become writers themselves,” says sophomore Lindsey Vuylsteke. “To see and hear from people who have made it. Because there are no real set paths for authors like there are for other careers. It is also cool to see the paths they did take and to then take inspiration from them.”

   For others, the series is especially meaningful because it shows how personal and varied writing can be. “I’m excited that we have the opportunity to see how multiple different authors go about their craft,” says junior Samatha Fujimoto. “It’s inspiring to see how people carve their own paths.”

   Beyond just career advice, the series also has a noticeable impact on how students feel about their own work. Larson remembers how attending changed her mindset, “I remember the first time I went to a Visiting Writers series and how energized I felt after it. For the first time, I didn’t want to downplay the work I was doing on campus with my writing.”

   That kind of validation shows up in student experiences too. “The visiting writers mean a lot to me,” says sophomore Jake Kung. “It’s nice to see different authors’ writing styles and work from more experienced writers. It’s also nice to be able to picture myself in their shoes in a couple of years because I would love to come back to Pacific as a visiting writer myself.”

   The series also gives students access to conversations they wouldn’t normally have access to in a classroom setting. Junior Matt Antis points to the impact of seeing authors up close, noting that, “Although I had heard her speak before, to be able to see her speaking to undergraduates in an intimate setting was a unique opportunity. The series provides all students with information you won’t get anywhere else.”

   For students thinking about their careers, the benefits go even further. “I think it’s a great way for us to network and to learn about writing beyond just the courses here,” says senior Emma Blackwell. “It also allows us to learn more about the writing industry and the different avenues authors take.”

   Even outside the creative writing major, students find the series useful. Junior Malia Nagatani explains, “It was interesting to not be in the creative writing major, but also see how writing is involved in everything, and to see how people can make a living from their writing skills.”

   Overall, the Visiting Writers Series plays a big role in building Pacific’s writing community. It gives students a clearer picture of the industry while also making their own goals feel more possible.