Writing is something we all do, let's celebrate it Oct. 20

YORK, Pa. — The National Day on Writing is Thursday, Oct. 20, and Penn State York will celebrate with a panel discussion focusing on the topic "Celebrating the Writing in our Lives Professionally and Personally.” The program will be held at 12:15 p.m. in the Lee R. Glatfelter Library and is free and open to the public.

This national day is celebrated each year on Oct. 20 and originated out of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). The day was created to draw attention to the significance of writing in national life and the remarkable variety of writing people are engaged in, as well as to help writers from all walks of life recognize how important writing is to their lives. The United States Senate has recognized the day since at least 2009.

"So often we fix what we call ‘the writing life’ to poets, novelists, and journalists," said Marcy Nicholas, instructor in English at Penn State York and coordinator for the campus event. “Yet, many people in various careers and in various ways lead a life of writing and communication."

Nicholas has brought together a panel to share their stories about the writing life, whether they write in the workplace or write for themselves. Featured panelists include Joshua Markel, a technical writer and Penn State York graduate; Maura Beaver, marketing coordinator for Wagman Construction and Penn State York graduate; Mike King, an attorney;  Martha Sloboda, businesswoman; Anne Vardo-Zalik, assistant professor of biology at Penn State York; and Suzanne C. Shaffer, instructional designer at Penn State York.

The public is invited to send a tweet on Oct. 20 using the hashtag #WhyIWrite. Last year Vince Williams, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers submitted this: "So ppl can know that I am more than a helmet and jersey."  

Last year there were more than 60,000 tweets with a reach of millions of people. The hashtag #WhyIWrite trended on Twitter throughout the day and was even featured in “Entertainment Weekly.”

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