For the month of April, Professor Jack Lugar of the communication and design arts department has decided to organize a special edition of his annual AU Storytelling Month (StoMo).
StoMo, an event that usually takes place in February, is a month-long, campus-wide writing challenge that asks participants to write 500 words a day. While Ravens are quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lugar has decided to create a new edition of this challenge, calling it “StoMo Stay@Home.”
“The stay-at-home order is the perfect opportunity to get some writing done,” said Lugar. “It’s also the perfect opportunity to waste time—over sleep, watch YouTube videos, sleep some more, play Rocket League, sleep even more.”
Lugar explained that he tends to be productive when his life feels structured.
“When the school year is going and I have classes, meetings and scheduled activities; I get things done,” said Lugar. “When the structure disappears, it is so easy for me just to waste time. StoMo gives the participants a daily goal and accountability, which leads to structure.”
According to Lugar, “StoMo Stay@Home” will encourage Ravens to be creative and productive during a time when they need it the most.
“We need to find ways to stimulate our minds,” said Lugar. “School and business work is good, but a creative outlet is energizing.”
According to Lugar, the challenge is not limited to students––faculty and alumni are encouraged to participate, as well. Additionally, Lugar explained that the challenge is not limited to one genre of writing.
“All types of writing are accepted because whatever the writer creates is ultimately for them to get better,” he said. “While many of us are working on novels or novellas, others have written blogs, daily short stories and scripts. The only rule in StoMo is to write. What you write is up to you.”
Although participants are challenged to meet a minimum word count for the month, Lugar expects some will go far beyond that target.
“The 500 words a day is still the goal—15,000 for the month of April,” he said. “But there’s nothing saying a writer can’t double or triple that number.”Those interested in learning more about “StoMo Stay@Home” can contact Lugar at jrlugar@anderson.edu.