TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Adult creative writing classes in both poetry and fiction writing will be held from June 3 through July 22 at The Language Connection in downtown Tuscaloosa. The University of Alabama co-sponsors The Creative Writing Connection in conjunction with The Language Connection.

“The Language Connection was created to connect people to language and language to people,” says owner Christy Beem. “We’re a community based program for professionals and community members who work 50 hours a week, but would like to attend a quality language course at a reasonable cost. With the addition of the Creative Writing Connection, community members can attend writing courses with talented teachers.”

The poetry writing class will be led by Tim Earley, a well-published poet and UA graduate of the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing in the College of Arts and Sciences. Class members will explore ways to begin a poem and how to use language effectively. Class time will be spent reading and discussing both model and participant poems. The class meets Tuesday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The fiction writing course will be led by Geoffrey Trumbo, a UA graduating student from the Master of Fine Arts Program in Creative Writing in the College of Arts and Sciences. Trumbo is the recipient of an Excellence in Teaching by a Masters Student Award from the College of Arts and Sciences. His short fiction has appeared in a number of literary journals.

Participants will examine the elements of fiction writing, with attention paid to creating believable characters and developing a strong voice. Class time will be spent reading, writing and experimenting with language to develop new skills as well as complete stories. The class meets Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

You don’t have to be experienced in creative writing to participate. To register for the Creative Writing Connections, call The Language Connection at 205/758-2024 or visit www.globalfriends.net. Total cost for the eight-week program is $275. A $100 deposit is due Friday, May 24.