Locals Only: Reuben Ellis

The Grove at Woodbury

When he isn't reviewing papers, you can find Dr. Reuben Ellis wandering around the Huntington Gardens. While on Woodbury campus, Dr. Reuben Ellis, a professional writer and Chair of Professional Writing at Woodbury University, spends the majority of his time in his office which of course can get a little tiring. In an attempt to avoid the lackluster feeling that his office provides he walks around exploring new places on the campus (yes, there are some hidden spots). One of the places he is drawn to is a serene green lawn, behind the Pool House, where hammocks hang off the trees. It is located next to the M.C.D. (Media Culture & design) building and the staircase that leads to the North Hall. Since the place is hidden and not many people know about it. It is absolutely perfect for relaxation and meditation as Dr. Ellis noted.

The life of Dr. Ellis is not bounded by his office or the Woodbury campus. His most favorite place in Los Angeles is Huntington Gardens. More specifically the library because of his experience working there on his research that related to works of American poet, Robinson Jeffers.

"Before the first man,
Here were the stones, the ocean, the cypresses,
And the pallid region in the stone-rough dome of fog where the moon
Falls on the west. Here is reality."
- Robinson Jeffers

Since the research gave Dr. Ellis a lot of newly acquired knowledge, inspiration, and experience, The Huntington Library quickly became one of his favorite places in Los Angeles.
When Dr. Ellis desires to escape from the torture that is writer’s block, he has his secret shelter where nobody can find him.

"I like to write in a room I call the 'Library' in my house in Altadena. This room has windows on all four walls and a panoramic view of the San Gabriel Valley on one side and of the forested mountainside on the other. It is separate from the rest of the house and can only be entered by walking outside. I like that."

San Gabriel Bike Path

Dr. Ellis loves adventures which leads him and his friends to the San Gabriel River where he goes for fun bike rides. Dr. Ellis does not stick just to one place to find adventure. (few more local bike spots) Recently he began exploring Sacramento’s secret bike paths. Aside from biking, Dr. Ellis is passionate about traveling he believes that it gives a person the most experience possible while being immersed in adventure. Dr. Ellis has experience many adventures including an amazing trip to Colombia which was very exciting, full of eclectic activities to bask in, great people, and stunning sea side scenery. In spite of the evil writer's block and mountains of student papers that are about to be graded, Dr. Ellis is working on a
on a short humorous essay about yard sales,

"A scholarly book about representations of prehistoric Indian sites in southwestern American literature, and a revision of a novel manuscript."

As a writer, Dr. Ellis absorbs experiences, knowledge, and can recall vivid memories from places he has traveled to. Even though a person could obtain great experiences without writing about it, a writer believes it still should be shared with the world. Along with that, Dr. Ellis piece of advice to all the writers out there is to never stop writing and to write every day of their life even if it is just a short paragraph. According to Ellis, sharing ideas and thoughts is what makes the experience most memorable. Dr. Ellis quoted a fellow writer Heather Seller, by saying,

“Writing is what makes the memories come back."

San Gabriel River Bike Path

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