Lifestyles
Silver Leos Writers Guild to sponsor Fred A. Tarpley Memorial Writer's Workshop on May 6
By Silver Leos Writers Guild
May 6, 2017

Commerce, Texas -- Seasoned and beginning writers are invited to polish their craft and pick up a few pointers at the Fred A. Tarpley Memorial Writer’s Workshop on Saturday, May 6, 2017. Sponsored by the Silver Leos Writers Guild of Commerce, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Writing Fiction” will be held at the Sam Rayburn Student Center on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce.

The presenter for this one-day, four-session event is Caleb Pirtle III, the author of more than sixty books (fiction and nonfiction), a former newspaper reporter and editor for a major regional magazine, and speaker whose programs, both humorous and inspirational, have carried him across the United States from coast to coast. 

The day starts at 8:00 a.m. with check-in and a continental breakfast. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., each session runs approximately one and one-half hours with scheduled breaks between sessions and ample time for lunch on your own within the student center or at any of the area restaurants. The workshop wraps up at 4:45 p.m. The nonrefundable fee is $40 for non-members and $30 for current members of Silver Leos. Registration with payment must be received no later than Thursday, May 4. 

Although the workshop refers to fiction writing, the topics are applicable to nonfiction and memoir writing as well.  

The scheduled sessions are:  

•   ABCs of writing fiction even if you've never written fiction before

•   Writing stories that appeal to today's readers

•   Letting your characters tell the story, regardless of genre

•   Secret techniques that make your writing sizzle 

A native of East Texas and a prolific author/editor, Caleb Pirtle earned his journalism degree from the University of Texas. Since then has written sixty books such award winners as XIT: The American Cowboy, The Unending Season, Echoes from Forgotten Streets, and The Grandest Day. His article about Nick Rowe, the first American soldier captured during the Vietnam War, won the National William Randolph Hearst Award. His novel, Secrets of the Dead, was a semi-finalist for best Indie Book of the Year. He also wrote the acclaimed Gamble in the Devil’s Chalk, the true story of the fight and feuds between oilmen battling for riches in the Austin Chalk. And he has written teleplays for three television movies: Gambler V: Playing for Keeps, Wildcat: The Story of Sarah Delaney and the Doodlebug Man for CBS, and The Texas Rangers for TNT.

In addition, he is rapidly gaining recognition for his presentations and workshops developed for writer’s groups working to better understand the advantages of publishing in the midst of the digital eBook revolution.

Those interested in attending the workshop on May 6 should send their name, address, email, and daytime phone, along with check or money order to be received no later than May 4 to: SLWG Workshop, P.O. 1123, Commerce TX 75429. For additional information or to email writing samples for critique, contact workshop co-chairs: Bobbie Purdy (903-886-6120, bobbie@arlanpurdy.com) or Vivian Freeman (903-886-8953, raveon1958@yahoo.com).

Silver Leos Writers Guild is a chapter of the A&M-Commerce Alumni Association and meets on the second Wednesday, January-November, at 1:00 p.m. in the A&M-Commerce Alumni Center. Writers of all skill levels are welcome. Minimum age for membership is 21.