By Dawson Jollie
Literary communities can be like families: tightly-knit networks of people seeking to support one another through common goals. As an active literary citizen both here in Eau Claire and Wisconsin as a whole, Scout Roux understands the apt comparison.
Writing fiction for a collection of journals and publications such as HASH and Lunch Ticket, the former UW- Eau Claire English major also spends invaluable time as a fiction editor for Nightingale and Sparrow. More recently, Scout signed on to serve as a prose reader for Barstow and Grand.
“I’m really proud of being a writer from Wisconsin,” Roux discussed in a recent interview with the Guild. “There are so many interesting people and situations we come across that aren’t often represented in literature, especially in any positive way… These uniquely Wisconsin experiences are fundamental not just to my development as a writer, but also as a person…”
Roux credits the state’s literary community, which serves as an ideal region for upstart writers seeking a “vibrant,” nurturing environment. To a strong degree, they believe the Guild plays its part locally as well, to help “mold and maintain” these strong connections, much akin to other organizations across Wisconsin.
Roux’s past and present involvement with fellow local writers, allowed them to develop key insight on fiction as a craft to establish a unique voice in their work. And when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, they deem it essential to simply emphasize reading and listening. According to Roux, “diversifying one’s reading” is the perfect opportunity to gain an understanding for a variety of characters since the genre is “trying to make sense of real life.” Similarly, listening to individuals and the way they converse in public helps to form a more realistic, compelling dialogue for these characters.
Roux is but one of many literary magazine editors who believes that these local journals help home these vital skills for writers. Such publications, online and print, serve a purpose: bringing together creative minds and helping them express their work to the public.
““Community and literary citizenship: these ideas look like a lot of different things, but the way they often culminate is in journals. They’re celebrations of local writers; reading them, also, a celebration.””
“Community and literary citizenship: these ideas look like a lot of different things,” Roux said, “but the way they often culminate is in journals. They’re celebrations of local writers; reading them, also, a celebration.”
Though currently living in Madison, Roux often views their interactions with the Chippewa Valley’s literary community beyond journal work such as reading for Barstow and Grand. The connection runs deeper, Scout explains, back to classroom experiences at UWEC, involvement in student organizations such as NOTA, and once again staying in touch with the Guild. Roux praises the CVWG for its effort in rallying Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley toward the celebration of literature.
“The people who work with the Guild in any capacity are tireless in their efforts to bring writers together and encourage nonwriters that they’re writers, too, as long as they want to be,” Roux said.
And what better a place for new writers than Barstow and Grand? With prose and poetry submissions open until April 30, maybe it’s time to take that leap onto the page!
For more information on submissions for Barstow and Grand: click here!