Clark University - Clark News summer 2004
Six books mark successfull year for writer and teacher
(fall 2004)
By Judith Jaeger
English instructor William Tapply proves the adage—writers write
For most writers, one book published each year represents a steady career and reason to be proud. With the release of six books this year, Clark English instructor William Tapply has reason to celebrate.
Tapply is a mystery novelist, best known for his series featuring Boston attorney Brady Coyne, but he also writes nonfiction books about writing and fishing, a favorite hobby. Last spring, a new edition of his "The Elements of Mystery Fiction: Writing the Modern Whodunit" was released. Tapply's mystery novel "Bitch Creek," featuring a new protagonist, "Second Sight," a crime novel co-authored by Philip R. Craig, and "Gone Fishin': Ruminations on Fly Fishing" will be released this fall. And a new Brady Coyne novel, still untitled, is due to be released next spring. In addition, Tapply shepherded through publication and wrote the introduction for a new edition of a book written by his late father, H.G. Tapply, "Tap's Tips: Practical Advice for All Outdoorsmen," which was released last spring.
Anyone who even remotely entertains the idea of pursuing a writing career can appreciate the accomplishment of having six books released in one year. Yet, Tapply shrugs off the feat, pointing out that he didn't plan it this way. He also didn't plan to be a writer.
Write what you know
"Looking back on it, I think this was all probably a midlife crisis," he says.
After many years as a high-school history teacher, Tapply had the nagging feeling of "Is this it?" While he enjoyed teaching, Tapply also wanted to try something new. "I'd love to have composed music or designed buildings," he says, but writing seemed a natural fit.
Once he started writing, Tapply set his sights on publishing and soon had an article in Sports Illustrated. He continued to write, while teaching and raising his family, and pursued the old adage‹"write what you know." A longtime hunter and fisherman, Tapply focused on the outdoors. He became a contributing editor at Field and Stream and continued to have articles published in Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and other magazines.
"Then, I had this thought that real writers write books," he says. Tapply spent a year writing his first novel, stealing time for it whenever possible. Once finished, Tapply says, he quickly recognized that the novel wasn't very good. But Tapply didn't give up.
"For some reason, I was encouraged by having written a bad novel," he recalls. "It takes a lot of work to write a novel and keep a schedule. I thought of it as an apprenticeship."
His second attempt, "Death at Charity's Point," was published in 1984, the first in the Brady Coyne series. Tapply has published a Brady Coyne novel every year since then. The one to be released next spring will be the 21st in the series.
Teach what you know
In addition to his full writing schedule, Tapply is a devoted and popular adjunct instructor in Clark's English Department. He came to Clark in 1995, after five years of full-time writing, to teach the expository writing course required for many undergraduates. He currently teaches expository writing, a full-year course on writing the novel, writing for magazines and creative writing.
Tapply views teaching as an extension of writing and believes it is his responsibility, as someone with some expertise in writing, to share his knowledge with others. But there is something more to it than that.
"I teach for what I get out of it, and what I give other people," he says. Writing is a solitary, and often difficult, pursuit, Tapply explains, and teaching provides a small escape from the hard work and a chance to get out of the house and around other people. He also enjoys helping other people write.
"Writing is something people do, and I'm just helping them do what they do. It's a lot like coaching."
Active learning, active writing
Tapply's approach fits well with Clark's focus on active learning. Rather than lecture about writing, Tapply has his students write, looks at what they are trying to do and extracts principles of writing from what's on the page.
The one principle Tapply hopes to impart to his students, and the one he strives for in all of his own books, is clarity‹helping students take what's in their minds, put it on paper and transfer it to the reader's mind.
"The aim is simple," Tapply says. "You're always writing to be understood."
William Tapply's books can be found at independent and mystery bookstores. If your independent bookstores don't carry his books, ask them to order it.
More information about William Tapply and his books is available on the Web at www.williamgtapply.com.
New books from William TapplySpring 2004
- "The Elements of Mystery Fiction: Writing the Modern Whodunit," new edition
- "Tap's Tips: Practical Advice for All Outdoorsmen," by his late father, H.G. Tapply, with an introduction by William Tapply
Fall 2004
- "Bitch Creek," a mystery/suspense novel featuring new protagonist Stoney Calhoun
- "Second Sight," a crime novel co-authored by Philip R. Craig
- "Gone Fishin': Ruminations on Fly Fishing"
Spring 2005
- A new Brady Coyne novel, still untitled
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Clarknews Fall 2004
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Author and English instructor William Tapply
Photo by Rob Carlin |
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