In a State College word association quiz, you get Penn State University, football, a successful dance marathon and unwavering school spirit.

But you wouldn't always come up with this hidden gem: the Nittany Valley Writers' Network (NVWN), a talented group of local writers.

Jack Williams, NVWN programming coordinator, said networking between local writers is the primary purpose of the group. This is essential because NVWN members seem to agree on one thing: the solitude of this particular profession.

"Writing's a very lonely, isolated work," Williams said.

Sue Poremba, critique group coordinator for the NVWN, noted that the "camaraderie" of the group drew her to become a member.

"I work alone in my house. My only company all day is my dog," she said with a laugh.

Mary McGuire, publicity and communication coordinator, said the group pushes her to have a sort of deadline.

"It spurs you on and forces concentration on your writing," she said.

Besides networking, the group also offers several services to its members.

There are critique groups for many different subject areas such as memoirs, Christian writing, poetry and children's non-fiction and fiction. Williams said the formation of critique groups in different areas is always encouraged.

Guest speakers are often invited to give presentations at the meetings as well. The subjects change from month to month, ranging from information about trade magazines next month to children's books this February.

The NVWN was created in 1990 under the name of The State College Area Writers' Club. It wasn't for 11 years that Schlow Centre Region Library, 118 S. Fraser St., stepped in to sponsor the group, primarily to "strengthen its outreach to the community," according to the NVWN's Web site.

"We took it over to make sure it didn't die," said Linda Lorich, Schlow librarian and liaison for the group.

"We gave them a place to meet, which lasted for a while, until they resumed their own leadership," she said.

Williams guessed that there are currently about 150 people on the mailing list for the group.

Only about 30 people attend the meetings, which occur on the second Tuesday of each month.
There are no requirements for membership.

"People really just come and go as they please," Williams said.

The NVWN is a melting pot for all sorts of writing interests.

Turanne Gardner, NVWN member, enjoys writing memoirs.

"I like to write about life. I like to write about me," she said.

McGuire writes poetry and non-fiction.

"I write about family and everyday incidents that somehow set off a little spark," she said, "but it's interesting to hear a wide range of writing I hadn't thought about."

Experience is really not a necessity for membership.

"My guess is that we are about half published, locally and otherwise, and half working at it," Williams said.

Lorich called it a "spectrum."

"Some are published, some freelance, some aspiring, some experienced and retired writers who come back to help others. Some are constantly in print," she said.

Poremba, now a published author, is one of these experienced writers who is back to do her part.

"If experienced writers hadn't helped me, I wouldn't be where I am today," she said.

The monthly schedule for the NVWN and other information can be found at its Web site, www.schlowlibrary.org/NVWN.htm.