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Creative writing for veterans, a new course at MCCC

Veterans this fall will have a new venue to share their thoughts, a creative writing class at Montgomery County Community College.

Veterans this fall will have a new venue to share their thoughts, a creative writing class at Montgomery County Community College.

The college announced it is creating the course to provide veterans with "a  creative outlet to share their experiences with people who understand them best - fellow veterans."

The introduction to creative writing course, which is limited to guest veterans and current MCCC veteran students, will be offered at the college's West Campus in Pottstown. The 15-week course is worth three credits and was created by Susan Buchler, assistant professor of English and Denise Williams, veterans' resource specialist.

"Back in civilian life, veterans often find there is no place to put memories and experiences and no one to share them with except others who've had similar experiences," Williams said in a statement. "Through writing comes the most fascinating, heartfelt poetic work that is engaging and liberating."

Creating an environment of "shared bond and trust" is the goal, Buchler said.

"This course will allow veterans writers to evolve at a unique comfort level," Buchler said. "Writing about their experiences gives them the opportunity to find their voice and express their deepest feelings and emotions. Studies have shown that, through writing, an individual can find freedom, peach of mind, improved mood and all together healing."

The college's Veterans Resource Center serves more than 450 veterans, service members and spouses and dependents with its transition to college.

The course will run from Aug. 30 to Dec. 19. For more information, contact  Williams at dwilliam2@mc3.edu or Buchler at sbuchler@mc3.edu.