Chris Norris

Class of 2015, BFA in Creative Writing, BA in Literature

Chris Norris

What was your favorite part of studying Creative Writing at UE?

My favorite part of studying at UE was the community, specifically in the writing department. We learned each other's strengths and weaknesses over the four-year program. That led to more honest and constructive criticism during writing workshops, and led to me quickly learning what I needed to fix in my writing.

What did you experience in UE's CRW department that feels special/unique to our program?

The focus on workshops and close, personal feedback from professors. I knew that what I was being told was what I needed to hear, and was coming from someone who honestly wanted to see me succeed.

Working at The Crescent (UE's campus magazine), I wrote columns that gave me extra chances to create something that got published. I also got experience working on assignment, under deadlines, and with an editor. But mostly again it helped me work on my voice, and how to balance that voice with the magazine's semi-professional style. Eventually, I served as their writing director, which helped me with that even more and gave me leadership experience. It also directly led to me getting employment, since my current boss contacted The Crescent's director about potential job candidates, and she recommended me.

What was your favorite Creative Writing class and why?

My favorite class was Professor Griffith's humor writing. I like to think I'm funny, so getting to express that in an academic setting and work on better expressing it was a blast.

What are you up to now?

Right now I'm producing the morning news for Channel 14 in Evansville. I put together a newscast and write stories that are read on live TV every day. It's not something I ever thought I'd do or enjoy, but I absolutely love it. And my experience at UE helped me develop my creativity and voice that makes it so much easier to do my job. I don't write in my free time as much as I should, but I get to work out the writing muscles at work. I've started a few personal projects recently, but nothing big.

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