A look into ASU’s Veterans’ Writing Circle

The Veterans’ Writing Circle is a group of veterans who meet twice a month to enhance their writing skills.

Meetings include generative writing exercises, workshopping participants’ pieces, and discussions on craft across various genres. While all members of the group are veterans, there is no obligation for them to write about their experience in service.

Michelle Loposky, U.S. Army Veteran, and the Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Pat Tillman Veterans Center at ASU, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the group.

“We provide a space…twice a month, all online, giving prompts and having discussions allowing them for them to share any work they’d love the group to talk about,” Loposky said. “What we do is collectively talk about what that work would look like, what they can improve on and giving each other kudos.”

While the group is for any military members the subject matter of their writing is not strictly based to military service topics. The Veterans’ Writing Circle has various themes about things that happen in life, according to Loposky.

“That’s really what’s beautiful about it,” Loposky added. “It’s a time for us, who have missed that camaraderie in the military, and just sharing life stories. What [life] looks like and how much impact service did for them and how much they’re now making in their community.”

Those who come to the writing club come from all over the writing sphere. The club is proud to host published authors and poets, according to Loposky.

Loposky added. “We even have [a member] who’s in Houston. He’s a spoken word, amazing poet.”

To those seeking to join the club “that can seem intimidating”, according to Loposky. “We invite anyone, even if you’re [only] thinking about it,” Loposky said.

The writing, which spans from fiction to nonfiction, can get emotional and inspiring for participants, according to Loposky.

“It’s very organic and it’s really about how the group is responding to [the writing],” Lopsky said.

The Veteran’s Writing Club meets every first and third Tuesday via Zoom from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is free to join.