NNU’s Department of Communication, Language and Literature recently participated in Writing Matters, the second annual literary conference hosted by the College of Southern Idaho on February 20-21. This event brought together writers, scholars and students to explore the power of storytelling and literary analysis. 
Sophomore Ava Honeycutt represented NNU by presenting a paper examining the suffering of children in Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Daniel Nayeri’s Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story). Reflecting on her experience, Honeycutt shared, “Having the opportunity to participate in the Writing Matters Literary Conference was an incredible experience; being able to listen and connect with the speakers, professors and students truly has opened my world and strengthened my passions. Presenting my work in front of a panel of fellow students and professors has provided me with a new sense of confidence as I was given many kind comments and thoughtful questions. This made me realize what I present is worth saying, and that what I write does matter. I’m so grateful to NNU, Dr. Straight and the Language and Literature department for allowing me to have this experience and grow as a writer.”
NNU English professor Julie Straight also contributed to the conference by moderating a panel featuring students presenting original fiction and poetry. “Dr. Clark Draney, the organizer at CSI, described Writing Matters as a gathering for word nerds, and that’s exactly what it was!” said Straight. “The conference provided a welcoming and encouraging environment, with panels allowing for close attention to each student’s work. From the Favorite Poem Project reading to the keynote speakers, it was a space where students could engage deeply with literature and creative writing. We hope more NNU students will present at this conference next year!”
Joining Honeycutt at the conference was recent NNU English graduate Ellie Sullivan Little (’25), further highlighting NNU’s commitment to fostering lifelong learning for its students.
The students’ participation in Writing Matters was made possible through a generous donation from retired Nazarene pastor and hospice chaplain Robert Dawley (’74) in memory of his late wife, Doris Foronda Dawley (’71). A former NNC English major from Bolivia, Doris Dawley dedicated her career to education, first teaching junior high in Nampa and later earning a master’s degree in bilingual education from New York University. She went on to teach elementary students in Freeport, New York, until her retirement.
NNU’s involvement in the Writing Matters conference reflects the University’s dedication to providing students with opportunities to engage in scholarly discourse and develop their writing craft.
