Whether the words flow better with pen and paper or through the keys of a computer, student writers have the opportunity to have their creative works of fiction, poetry and nonfiction evaluated for free at The Writing Circle.

Every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m., The Writing Circle, which is sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Writing, meets in 1 Health and Human Development East to offer constructive criticism about an author's piece and to flex their own writing muscles through writing exercises and discussions.

"The idea is just to have a forum to get feedback and to get inspiration," said Christina Jordan (junior-English), the group's coordinator. "Basically we're just here to share the ideas."

Before each week's meeting, a writer will send out his or her work to the Circle's e-mail list that everyone is supposed to read. Students bring their comments and thoughts about the piece, either on paper or in their heads, to the meeting.

After the author reads his or her work, comments and questions circulate throughout the group.

The author is not permitted to speak until after all members have voiced their views.

Jordan said the Circle is supposed to be a positive experience to help the writer.

"So far it's been fine. It's very small," said Sarah Jayne Lope (senior-English). "Even if there is criticism, with a small group of people it's helpful as people are trusting you with their work."

The intimate atmosphere of the Circle is designed to give student writers the opportunity to get the feedback from their peers that they sometimes do not get in a larger classroom setting.

"There's less pressure," Lope said. "It's not like class when you can hear the pen of everyone else and you think 'God, why is my pen not writing?' "

Bridget McDonald (junior-journalism) said she began attending the Circle because she was curious.

"I went just because I don't know a lot of people who do their own writing, and I wanted to meet and talk with other people who wrote," McDonald said.

She said the experience is much more conducive to learning than the creative writing course she took at Penn State Hazelton.

"It was a couple of writing exercises and not-so-positive criticisms about your work," McDonald said.

She and Lope both primarily write fiction but also write a bit of poetry as well. Students are encouraged to bring any genre of creative writing to the Circle.

"I think it's a pretty comfortable atmosphere," Jordan said. "We all get to become friends and get to know each other so it's very constructive."

Interested writers can e-mail Jordan at cxj191@psu.edu to be put on the e-mail list.