Em Blackwelder is from Westfield, Massachusetts, and she is dual majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing and education with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She also has a Spanish minor.
She is a proud member of the Salem State Honors Program, as well as of the Alpha Lambda Delta and Sigma Tau Delta honor societies. She received the 2022 Claire Keyes Undergraduate Poetry Award for her poem “May You Dance Like Water,” which has been published in Soundings East magazine. She is also a recipient of the Presidential Arts Scholarship for creative writing.
She attends meetings of Salem State’s Translation Group and Writers’ Group, the latter which she will be leading in 2023-24.
Why did you choose to major in English?
I actually added my English major in my sophomore year. I already had my education major, and English was a required minor for my concentration. I loved my creative writing class so much that I wanted to continue taking similar classes, but the required minor didn’t allow me to take many English courses outside of the TESOL requirements. So, I decided to add the English major in order to continue taking classes that I’m passionate about while also gaining credit for them.
I also had been dreaming of the English major since high school as I loved reading and writing, but I was talked out of it as the writing field is very competitive and an “unrealistic” option for a stable career. I decided I would be an English teacher and simply write as a hobby. Then, during my studies here at Salem State, I felt like I was missing out on the major I wanted all along. I figured it couldn’t hurt for me to make my English minor into an English major if I continued my education studies alongside it.
What are some of your favorite English classes?
As I mentioned, I have an affinity for creative writing courses. So naturally, my favorite English courses fit into that category: “Creative Writing,” “Mindful Writing,” and “Introduction to Poetry.” I also love my “Multiethnic Literature” class, as it ties together my love for language, culture, and literature.
Do you have any memorable experiences as an English major? Are there any activities you recommend?
My number one memory as an English major was the first time I was able to read my poetry to an audience that cared and understood the art of writing. I attended an open mic in 2021 (my sophomore year) when events started to transition to in person rather than online. The excitement of sharing my work for the first time meshed with the excitement of being able to be face-to-face again, and whenever I worry about my writing I think about all the people who clapped for me and gave me praise for my writing, despite my inexperience. That memory reminds me that people want to see me succeed.
Because of my experience, I definitely recommend attending an open mic to read your work aloud, even if you are nervous. As I said, the people at Salem State want to see you succeed, and they want to hear your work. Open mics are a great way to get involved and to hear your peers’ work, too. I also have to recommend attending “Poe in the Dark,” a yearly event in October where English majors gather to read/share spooky stories anywhere from Edgar Allen Poe to Reddit users to writing from our very own Salem State authors or even oral stories made up on the spot.
How has the English major changed you as a person?
Being an English major and being able to study so many forms of literature and writing has opened my mind to all of the varying perspectives on the world. English was always one of my favorite subjects in school, but the difference in college is all of the varying authors that we read. Rarely in high school do you read contemporary works, so you don’t get the opportunity to analyze them like you the classics. But in college English courses you are able to read a variety of works, and for me this has helped me see how writing changes with society.
I also feel that I myself have a new view on the world due to these courses and my increased attention to creative writing. I have begun to see things in a new light. My favorite thing that has changed about me as a result of the English major is that I can see real events in my life as metaphors in a story.
What do you want to do with your English major? What are your future plans?
My goal is to become an English teacher abroad to teach students who speak other languages. As I mentioned, I plan to also write as a hobby alongside this career. I am hoping that an opportunity will open up for me to be a translator or multilingual writer full-time.