OLLI2026 - Techniques for Writing Memoir, Fiction, Nonfiction
Course Description
TECHNIQUES FOR WRITING MEMOIR, FICTION, OR NON-FICTION
Instructor: Fran Metzman
Day of Week: Wednesday
Dates: Oct. 1 – Dec. 10 (10 sessions)
Time: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Online via Zoom
Whether you’re advanced, intermediate, beginner, or exploring writing skills, this course teaches techniques and structure from a highly published, award-winning author. The goal is to build a strong writing foundation and help unleash your creative voice. The class encourages writing for publication, family, healing, or personal enlightenment. Participants may share original work for feedback or simply listen.
Maximum: 40
Instructor Bio: Frances Metzman, graduated of Moore College of Art and received a Master’s degree from University of Pennsylvania. A co-authored novel, Ugly Cookies, published by Pella Press, and a short story collection, The Hungry Heart: Stories, published by Wilderness House Press, both won book awards. In addition to publishing twenty-seven short stories she has a novel published by Tree of Life Books, The Cha-ha Babes of Pelican Way, 2023, and the sequel, published 2025, The Cha Cha Babes Dance with the Devil, are both Amazon Best Sellers. Teaching credits include: Adjunct professor at Rosemont College graduate school, university workshops, and creative writing at Temple University (OLLI). As fiction editor for Schuylkill Valley Journal, she introduces debut and seasoned writers and is a freelance editor
Notes
Why when I’m registering do I join the Wait List?
Several of our courses are in high demand. In order to accommodate our members who are not tech-savvy and have trouble registering online, we created a registration system in which there is no advantage to registering early, no disadvantage to registering later.
When registering for this class you join the Wait List. Don’t be alarmed. This does not mean the course is full. After the registration period is over, we run a lottery on the courses, and it randomly determines who is admitted to each course and who is not. You typically will receive notification regarding which courses you are admitted to, about one week after the initial enrollment period ends.
Online courses are conducted via Zoom.
You don’t need a Zoom account, but we recommend installing the Zoom app. Refer to our Zoom Essentials guide for setup tips and a sample course link email. Zoom links are sent to registered participants the week before the semester starts and again on the day of each class.
We suggest creating a dedicated email folder for easy access. Your link is unique and stays the same all semester. If you can’t find it, check your Junk/ Spam folder or email us at olli@temple.edu. Please don’t share or use another person’s link, as attendance is tracked.