by Sara Jones
News Reporter
There is an old saying, "In order to be successful in life, one has to take chances."
Sophomore English major James Martin did just that. He took a chance and entered his poem, "Character Generation," in the College Language Association Margaret Walker Creative Writing Competition, a nationwide collegiate contest. He was rewarded with a plaque and a $150 cash prize when he tied for third place.
Martin's poem was up against more than 3,000 poetry division entries by college students all over the nation. Martin was able to pick up his award in Atlanta where the awards ceremony was held in April.
"I know that third place doesn't seem like much, but it was a huge accomplishment when you consider what James was competing against," said University of Houston English Professor Elizabeth Brown-Guillory. "James is a very talented young man."
For a student to enter a CLA competition, the entry must be submitted to a professor who is a member of CLA. The professor must then sponsor the student in the competition.
Brown-Guillory was Martin's sponsor in this year's competition. She also sponsored two other UH students, Denea Stewart and Antonio Lechuga. "I don't think a UH student has ever placed at a CLA competition, so I am very proud of James," Brown-Guillory said.
"The CLA was initially set up to encourage African-American students in the areas of creative writing, but it has expanded since then," Martin said. "Now anyone can enter the competitions.
"What they do is rotate the competitions every year. This year the competition was poetry and short fiction. Next year the competition will be in the area of drama."
One incentive for entering the competition is receiving cash prizes. First place receives $1,000, second gets $500 and third $250.
"I had to split mine with the person I tied with," Martin said.
Martin recommended UH students getting involved with contests such as the one he entered. "I really encourage other students to submit anything they have written to competitions like this one. It is so rewarding due to both the prestige and honor of being selected - and the financial reward. Most of all, it makes you feel good about your own writing."
Martin is also the president of the Houston Suitcase Theater, a campus organization that performs ethnic plays on campus. Brown-Guillory said the Suitcase Theater is a good way to bring all the students of UH together.
Martin said he hopes to get his degree from UH in literature and eventually teach at the high school level.
Character Generation
Generation X
Generation excess
Generation excuse me!
Talkin' 'bout my Generation
Yellin' bout Degeneration
Hopin' for Regeneration
Generation Gap
Gender Gap
Racial Gap
jump the Gap
shot the Gap
Shop til' you Drop
Drop the weapon
DROP THE WEAPON
Real Stories
Toy Story
He who dies with the most Toys wins
Star Wars
Star Trek
Next Generation