A&M-Commerce professor hosts six-week writing course
A free, noncredit course, titled "Transforming Creative Non-Fiction into Creative Fiction," is being offered to students and is set to run Feb. 7 through March 14. The class, taught by Dr. Fred Tarpley, will be held in Gee Library on Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Tarpley said that 37 people have signed up for the class, 12 of which were part of the original memoir-writing class. Among the twelve are Avon Acker and Shirley Moore.
Acker, of Greenville, Texas, has written two novels since he took the first memoir class with Tarpley, who classified Acker as a "marvelous plotter." Acker said that he encourages everyone to write if that is what they want to do.
"I decided to strike out, try it out, and loved it," Acker said. "I decided to write my memoirs, did, and just finished my second book."
He also has three or four more books outlined to write. Acker said that he hopes this course will make him a more versatile writer and that it will help him in transitioning from non-fiction to fiction.
Moore, of Sulphur Springs, Texas, has not only taken advantage of all three courses, but is also the secretary of the Silver Leos Writing Guild. She said one of her reasons for taking the course is the ability of Tarpley to be a mentor as much as he is able to be a teacher.
"The University should be proud of Dr. Tarpley. He's brought out creative spirit in a lot of people," Moore said.
Tarpley said he has high hopes for the class. He said that the students are ready to explore fiction.
"By taking them through six weeks of techniques, they will apply these techniques, along with dialogue, and transform their stories into fiction," he said. "[My students] have the ability to take a common story and breathe magic into it."
Approximately one third of students taking the course have books in mind or are writing them already, according to Tarpley.
He also said he hopes, above all else, the students are able to network with each other, which is one of the reasons that Moore is a part of the Silver Leos Writing Guild.
"[The Writing Guild] is an interesting and supportive group of people." Moore said.
Tarpley recently published the book "Three Dark Decks", which was written by Eusibia Lutz, a former professor at the A&M-Commerce. This helped spark the idea of teaching the course.
This is Tarpley's third writing class to teach in the past two years. The first involved memoir writing, which inspired the creation of the Silver Leos Writing Guild, and the second examined the anatomy of a story.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The East Texan News Articles
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE EAST TEXAN NEWS
- 'Expendables 2' epitomizes dumb but fun action
- 'The Bourne Legacy' disappoints with same old thrills
- Tasteless 'Total Recall' remake leaves audiences underwhelmed
- Actor chemistry saves 'The Watch' from being boring waste
- Batman goes out strong in final 'Dark Knight' film
- 'Ted' marks promising film career for McFarlane
- Stylistic choices sink 'Savages'
RECENT THE EAST TEXAN CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK