Grok Magazine sits down with Haylie Ventouras, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Creative Writing, to learn more about her position as the Vice President of Curtin Writers Club, her origins, and dreams of working in the writing industry.
To start things off, we ask Haylie when and how she first gained an interest in writing.
“When I was around fourteen or fifteen, I think? I honestly just fell into writing, no better way to describe it,” she laughs.
“I bounced all around with what I wanted to do as a kid since everything appealed to me. Sports, science, film, but I lost all interest in them when I grew more into creative writing during my [high school] English classes. It was honestly the first time I was proud of anything I ever did in school.”
Image Credit: Cheyenne Valero
Haylie explains that she was met with positive reactions after telling friends and family that she wanted to pursue writing.
“I think a lot of people were happy I found something I enjoyed, […] my parents were happy I found something I was ready to invest in, and my grandparents joked I’d be the next Stephen King,” she says.
Moving on, we ask Haylie about the form of writing she usually engages with.
“Novels I suppose. I do hold a love for poetry and comics though – The Walking Dead comics were my first obsession, ” she chuckles.
“But ever since I was a kid, I’ve held a love for long fiction since they feel like an examination into narratives that would otherwise be condensed and limited by the constraints of visual media and budgets.”
Wanting to learn about her inspirations, we ask Haylie if there was an author or a piece of media that inspired her to work in the writing industry.
“I think what cemented my love of novels was Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton. I read it when I was about twelve or thirteen, and it opened something in me. I was exposed to this world where the story wasn’t constrained by budget cuts or producer mandates… it’s a little ridiculous to think like that as a kid, but it’s genuinely what I thought,” she says.
Image Credit: Cheyenne Valero
At the beginning of this year, Haylie was inducted into Curtin Writers Club as an executive committee member. We ask how the role has benefitted her editing and writing skills, as well as her certainty in her work.
“I feel so much more confident in giving creative feedback thanks to what I’ve learned at the club. It offers such a non-judgemental space for feedback that has helped my own reflection skills,” she says.
“It’s crazy to think of a time when I wouldn’t want to share my work. I think on some level, I’m still a little nervous, but it’s definitely only on a sparse occasion now.”
We ask Haylie about the responsibilities she’s expected to undertake as Curtin Writers Club’s Vice President.
“I mostly handle the social media aspects of the club, including promotion of events and public speaking about the club. I love designing the graphics we use in promotions, and I enjoy bringing suggestions on these graphics to the rest of the club,” she expresses.
“The club environment is so affirmative and cooperative that it’s become fun to workshop potential ways to grow the club and boost engagement.”
Curious to know how she balances her club duties with her studies, we ask Haylie how she manages the heavy workload.
“As a writing student, I believe there is no such thing as balance,” she laughs.
“On some days, I’m able to knock whole assignments out in hours. On others, I barely get a sentence done. I find this is the dangerous thing about writing. Sometimes it comes naturally, and other times you have to force it out.”
Image Credit: Cheyenne Valero
Nearing the end of our discussion, we ask Haylie about what she plans on doing after she finishes her degree.
“I would like to branch into a career as an author or a screenwriter. I know that genre properties are on the rise, and I hope to contribute to that wave,” she affirms.
“Obviously, that’s being very optimistic, and I think I’d be fortunate if I managed to work under any sort of professional or creative writing position, but I find it good to hope.”
Finally, we ask Haylie if she has any advice for Curtin University students who either intend to join Curtin Writers Club, or who plan to work in the writing industry.
“For those wanting to join Curtin Writers Club, I’d recommend it! As an aspiring writer myself, I honestly say I’d be doomed without it. […] it’s a great space to be a part of and you never know where it may take you,” she says.
“And as for those planning on working in the writing industry, I’d say be realistic, not nihilistic. It’s unlikely to immediately break out with your writing, but what matters is putting it out there. From there, I believe it’s a steady process to break into the industry.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Curtin Writers Club, feel free to visit their TidyHQ page or keep an eye out on their Facebook and Instagram for updates on upcoming events. You can also contact them directly via curtinwritersclub@gmail.com for further inquiries.