Lauren Bell is a current undergraduate student at Western Illinois University, majoring in Speech Pathology & Audiology and minoring in Creative Writing. She loves to read and write, which allows her an opportunity to create original characters and develop their stories and voices. Lauren hopes to one day write and publish her own novel(s). When she is not focusing on her studies, she spends time with her four cats and a big English Mastiff out in the quiet countryside, where she stays with her mom and stepdad.

M&L: What is your weekday routine like as an English major/minor?

LB: My weekday routine starts early in the morning, around 6:30 A.M. On M-W-F, I have three classes, my first class beginning at 8 A.M. After those classes are over, I work at the Provost Office until 3:45-4:30 M-W, depending on when and if I’m scheduled at my first job, Beef-a-Roo, which I work about three days a week (sometimes more). T-TH are a little easier, but also start early at 6:30 A.M. since I work at the Provost Office at 8 A.M. before transitioning to my two classes at 9:30 A.M., and before I know it, I’m done by no later than 12:30 P.M. After that, if I’m not working, I try to get caught up on homework and get that done, or I relax with friends or at home and play some video games, watch YouTube, or hang out with my parents.

M&L: What book are all your English peers reading that lies beyond assigned texts for class?

LB: To be honest, I’m not too sure what my peers are reading. There is so much reading to do sometimes, and other homework needs to get done, so sometimes I have to keep my head down and get work done. I know that one of my friends is currently reading Stephen King’s Skeleton Crew, but other than that, I’m not too sure what others are reading.

M&L: What are your weekends like?

LB: My weekends are slightly more relaxed than my weekdays. I work at Beef-a-Roo on the weekends, typically, so Saturday mornings/afternoons are pretty relaxed before I go to work in the evening. Sunday mornings start a little early with work at 10 A.M., but at least they end pretty early on, so I get to have the evening to prepare for the week ahead and relax before doing it all over again.

M&L: Where do you hang out on campus?

LB: I usually don’t hang out on campus too much, but if I do, you can usually find me on the second floor in Memorial Hall, or occasionally in the Reading Room in Simpkins Hall. This semester, I hope to start spending more time in the Reading Room (hoping to get some reading, writing, and any other homework taken care of in a comfortable, familiar environment).

M&L: Where do you hang out off campus?

LB: Most times off campus, you can catch me either at home relaxing with my cats, especially my big boy, Skipper, or hanging out with my friends if I’m not working. Nothing too complicated, pretty simple.

M&L: What book has changed your life?

LB: I think the book that’s changed my life is Stephen King’s On Writing. Reading about King’s life (a very chaotic life, and a very humble man) inspires me to keep writing, and it helped me to think about a writing routine I should/need to follow, even if it’s something as simple as having a word-count goal for writing each day. King offers encouraging and real advice when it comes to writing, and he also offers a different perspective to look at when it comes to rejection, so as not to see it as rejection but as an opportunity for growth and feedback. This book made me love King more!

M&L: What brought you to the English Department at WIU?

LB: My dad, Chris Bell, is an aspiring writer, and he wrote for WIU’s SITREP: Veteran Perspectives on Combat and Peace in 2018. I got my love for reading and writing from him, and I love sharing with him what I’m working on when it comes to English and any works I may be working on for my classes. With this love for reading and writing, I knew I wanted to carry that forward when attending WIU. I picked up my minor in Creative Writing, so that at least, while I’m securing a bachelor’s degree in SPA, I’m still investing in my development of writing and nurturing the love for it.

M&L: What has been or will be your biggest adventure as an undergraduate English major/minor?

LB: As of right now, my biggest adventure has definitely been being published in Elements in the Spring ‘25 semester for my nonfiction submission “To a Girl,” an anecdote that looked back on multiple different stages of my life, including a couple present stages, and reflected on how those helped me become the person I am today, while showering those past versions of myself with the love she needed. I plan to submit to Elements again this semester, and I hope I’ll have another opportunity for publication with them! Another big adventure I can’t wait to have is working with M&L this semester and sharing my voice so more people can hear and hopefully find some comfort and resonance within my words.