A monthly open mic poetry read is now available for Moorpark College students to share their creative writing pieces. The Moorpark College Creative Writing Club held their first of many poetry reads on April 27, 2007 with a good turnout.

“This is a combination of flash fiction and poetry readings,” said Jerry Mansfield, adviser of the club and professor of Creative Writing at Moorpark College. “I think it’s a good way for people to express themselves. People have good ideas and they like to be heard.”

Every student and teacher in attendance has a passion for writing and the passion shows in each writer’s reading of their work.

“Creative writing kind of gave me a direction,” said Devon Rollins, 22, English major and vice-president of the Creative Writing Club. “Before I started writing, I didn’t know really know what I wanted to do.”

Others came because they know nothing else.

“Its [creative writing] the only thing I’m good at,” said Danny Cerullo, 25, creative writing major. “Booze drives it.”

Cerullo’s short story entitled “Impotence” is going to be published in the Moorpark College creative arts magazine, “The Moorpark Review”.

The club meets every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in room 318 LLR. They host monthly open mic poetry readings open to anyone but the specific day has not been set yet.