Students share their creative art
After participating in Blabbermouth at the University of California San Diego, Dr. Luis Cortes decided to bring the Blabbermouth event to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK).
“I’ve always seen Blabbermouth as eye opening – it’s one thing to learn literature and poetry but it’s another thing to try it as a craft. I noticed students yearned for more connecting opportunities with people,” Cortes said.
While Blabbermouth is hosted by the Department of Language and Literature, it is an event open to faculty, staff and students from all backgrounds.
“For a writer having a space where people are listening and talking about your work collectively is valuable to people interested in improving on their craft is needed,” Cortes said.
While some may be hesitant to attend as Blabbermouth can be seen as a workshop at which only published authors can participate, this is not the case.
“Blabbermouth events often feel like a community or even a family gathering. Writing is a form of art. Just as we look at art, we can feel emotions, and draw ideas from. It’s the same thing with writing. Blabbermouth is welcome to all forms of art and beneficial. It helps with social anxiety and builds a support system like no other,” participant Emma Hall said.
Blabbermouth has a warm and inviting atmosphere and provides participants with the tools they may need.
“From nerves about publishing your work, having a personal rough patch or need an extra set of eyes on your work they’re always willing to help. They never make you feel like your writing isn’t good enough or subpar. They are all there to help build your confidence,” Hall added.
Blabbermouth strives to include writers and composers of all genres and skill levels, the primary goal is to focus on giving participants a platform and room to grow as writers.
“Blabbermouth is part of a greater effort of the department to develop creative writers,” Department Chair Dr. Roberto Vela Cordova said.
The event was previously hosted at the Novel Blend in downtown Kingsville and is now held in the Blue Room in Sam Fore Hall.
Blabbermouth allows participants an opportunity to share stories, poems, creative art and music they enjoy or wrote themselves in multiple languages as well to help create a more inclusive experience.
“Telling people’s stories is necessary for our emotional health, health within the community and health as a campus. It’s a very powerful thing to do – take charge of your voice and say these words out loud. It gives power to the words that you say,” Cordova said.
The next Blabbermouth event will be held at 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 21, in the style of an open mic night.
“If you don’t have anything you’d like to share you can attend and listen. It is phenomenal to hear what people have to say about their lives, the way they’re feeling, and how they put that into words, poetry, stories, text messages even. This is a very comfortable and rewarding group to be a part of,” Cordova said.
