Indiana University Southeast Writing Project

written by IUSWP Co Director

Our writing marathon was inspired by Richard Louth, SLWP. A portion of his article follows:

The New Orleans Writing Marathon

By: Richard Louth
Date: Winter 2002
Summary: Louisiana site director Richard Louth describes the magic, and anxiety, of leading a writing marathon. While revealing that “things do go wrong,” he admits surprising success and offers tips for conducting a marathon, writing prompts, and excerpts of participants’ writing.

Café du Monde and the click and clanging of the glasses and silverware. One of the few places where they greet you with a glass of water.”
—Trish Benit, 2001

The sexy yak of a saxophone drifts into the Café du Monde, mixing with the beat of ceiling fans and the smell of hot, powdered beignets. Across the street, two children tap-dance for quarters while a third spins a bicycle wheel on his head, the spokes a gray halo in the humid air. A horse-drawn carriage clops by St. Louis Cathedral while a mime dressed as Uncle Sam freezes in midstride outside the café window. Inside, teachers gingerly sip café au lait, knock excess sugar off their beignets, and stare at the world outside. Despite their good spirits, I see anxiety in their expressions. “What are we doing here?” they seem to ask.

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written by IUSWP Co Director

written by IUSWP Co Director