UC Irvine Extension Offers Unique Opportunity for Community to Explore Their Creativity & Leave a Legacy Behind

As Trend of Creating Memoirs, Autobiographies and Fiction Continues, Program Helps Writers Find and Shape Their Voice

IRVINE, Calif. – August 30, 2005 – UC Irvine Extension’s Arts and Humanities program announces the start of its fall writing programs, exploring genres from autobiography to novel-writing and screenwriting, to memoirs that allow local Orange County residents a unique opportunity to let their creative spirit soar.

In an age of incredible pace, uncertainty, ambiguity and change, writing has surged in popularity recently, especially in regards to the trend of writing memoirs.

“Human beings have always sought to give meaning to their lives through art and literature throughout recorded history,” said Dr. Kirwan Rockefeller, director of UC Irvine Extension’s Arts and Humanities Program. “People use stories to make sense out of their lives, and find great power in the creative process of writing, journaling, and creating a legacy via their memoirs.”

Over the years, Rockefeller has observed that many people in today’s society set aside their dream job as a writer for a more “realistic” career, and discount their passions and desires. UC Irvine Extension’s writing programs provide the structure, technique and discipline to put together the pieces of the puzzle and provide people with the know-how to navigate through the writing process in a comfortable environment with like-minded people. The ongoing success of the program has resulted in many people landing agents, publishing deals and even having their screenplays purchased in Hollywood.

“The depth and breadth of the writing programs we offer at UC Irvine Extension truly serve the growing trend of people wanting to write,” said Rockefeller. “Whether you wish to write a screenplay, memoirs, or the great American novel, this program gives you the chance to follow your dreams, regardless of your age, background or previous level of education.”

Leaving a Legacy & Breaking All The Rules

Martha Fuller, a well-known artist and writer in various creative arenas, teaches Autobiography, Memoir or Fiction, and has been a part of UC Irvine Extension’s creative writing programs for 10 years. Beginning September 28, Autobiography, Memoir or Fiction supports writers of all levels to identify the most compelling part of their stories and how to best write that story in supportive community environment. Rather than sticking to one genre, Fuller finds the three genres of autobiography, memoir and fiction can be used interchangeably based upon the story being created.

“One of the first things I try to instill in people is to forget everything they were told in school about writing,” said Fuller. “Our class differs from a structured, genre-oriented course by focusing on the individual finding his or her own voice and vision. We’ve seen a huge surge in people wanting to share their interesting stories and experiences, and we help them free up any preconceived notions so that they can simply begin getting their voice onto paper.”

Courses That Prepare for Success in Any Writing Genre

The Inner Game of Writing, beginning September 28 and instructed by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, is designed for those writers seeking a place to “get their feet wet” in the creative writing realm. The five-week workshop is appropriate for writers seeking a refresher, or those who want to increase their confidence and know-how in beginning a writing career. DeMarco-Barrett also leads the follow-up workshop, Take Your Writing to the Next Level, which touches upon more advanced topics, such as how to find an agent and get published. Take Your Writing to the Next Level begins November 2.

One of the program’s most popular successes, Beginning Your Novel, attracts a variety of professionals, from lawyers, doctors, teachers and those in the service industry, who wish to follow their passion of being a novelist. Starting September 29, Beginning Your Novel shows writers how to successfully dramatize a work of fiction and supports the role imagination plays in transforming an experience into fiction. Instructor Louella Nelson has helped many people obtain national representation and publish award-winning books.

Creative Nonfiction: Writing First-Person Essays combines assigned readings from literary non-fiction with an interactive writing workshop. Instructor Andrew Tonkovich helps people develop their own first-person voice and examine a range of essay writing strategies and genres, including memoir, character sketch, family portrait and short biography. Creative Nonfiction begins September 19.

The Arts & Humanities program is also gearing up for its Beginning and Advanced Screenwriting Workshops. These workshops are ideal for those who enjoy film and have fanaticized about making that transition to a Hollywood screenwriter. Instructors Tim Albaugh, Weiko Lin, Paul Chitlik and Travis Markstein, all trained at UCLA and now working professionals in the entertainment industry, support anyone’s passion to become a screenwriter. The screenwriting courses begin September 29 for beginners and September 27 for the advanced course.

For anyone wanting to learn more about the screenwriting program, UC Irvine Extension will be hosting the 2005 Annual Screenwriting Reading Night September 15 from 7-10 p.m. The event provides an opportunity for local residents to meet the people who started with an idea a year ago, have now completed their script, and are bringing those scripts to life in a free, open reading. Program leaders and instructors will also be present to address questions from attendees, as well. The event, being held in University Extension Building A rooms 101 and 102, is free and open to the public. To RSVP for the screenwriting reading, visit unexarts@uci.edu or call (949) 824-6635.

UC Irvine Extension’s writing programs are open for enrollment and range from $185-$495 depending on the coursework selected. To enroll in the courses or for more information, call (949) 824-5414 or visit http://unex.uci.edu.

As the continuing education arm of a prestigious university, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a transforming learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional, and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and personal development programs to support a diverse audience from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus events and activities. UC Irvine Extension continues to provide a university-level learning experience to all students. For more information about UC Irvine Extension, visit www.extension.uci.edu or call (949) 824-5414.