Thursday, 14 September 2017
https://www.facebook.com/marshalluenglish/posts/1964905923792631
Alexandria Runyon—an undergraduate creative writing major—couldn’t be happier here, and we’re glad to have her:
“It’s going very well. I’m glad I’m a creative writing major. It’s a great path to be on for my career goals.”
Alex dedicates any free time from school to writing and performing comedy at local venues. Over the summer, Alex traveled to Chillicothe, Ohio and Lexington, Kentucky to perform, as well as doing weekly weekday routines, at Black Sheep Burrito & Brews and The Press Club, right here in Huntington. This month, she’ll be performing live in Charleston, along with our very own Professor Ian Nolte.
Alex finds that performing comedy for an audience on a routine basis gives her a focus on writing and producing new content: “Doing comedy is helpful because I’m slightly on a schedule. Since I perform every week, I have to write something new, and even if it’s the only thing I write that week, I’m still writing, which is good.” Apart from comedy writing, Alex focuses on creative nonfiction. Though she admits not all subjects invite humor, she’s working to incorporate it more in her creative writing, because she finds it an “interesting strategy” in retelling events.
Her accomplishments outside our department don’t just stop at performing, either: she’s been serving as a photo editor for The Parthenon, Marshall’s student-run newspaper, where she’s now also a regular contributor. She writes an advice column, featured for the first time in yesterday’s issue.
When she heard that the editors of the newspaper were looking for advice columnists, she didn’t hesitate to volunteer: “I’m on a lifelong quest to become Carrie Bradshaw, so I thought this would be a good stepping stone.”
Asked when she’ll graduate, Alex says, “good question,” in characteristic humor. “Fall `18,” she clarifies.
After, Alex plans to attend graduate school for a Master’s in English. Until then? You can find her pitching in all over the university and in our community, and performing comedy here and across the tristate. Check out her weekly column in The Parthenon—if you needed some advice, now you know where to turn.
If you can’t tell, with so much already accomplished, Alex has a bright, bright future. Right now, she’s making the most of her college experience, pursuing just a few of her many interests and passions, which leaves a lot open. And she’s fine with options: “I’m planning to go wherever life takes me.”