Local author finds success in writing and publishing

KENDALL NEIL STAFF WRITER

Time is a reoccurring theme in Chris McCreary's poetry. However, this Temple graduate did not always want to be a poet. McCreary had wanted to study to be a fiction writer or a lawyer.

Thr~ughout his schooling, he had always enjoyed reading novels. In fact, he still prefers reading fiction to poems. When it comes to writing, however, McCreary finds that he is better suited for writing poems. He started writing poems when he was in high school, but it was not until later in his high school career that he discovered he had a talent for writing verse.

His biggest influences include Walt Whitman, as well as some people who are close to him, including Dr. Seth Freebie, Professor of English and Communications. Freebie taught McCreary when he was an undergraduate at Temple University. He feels as though Freebie taught him how to go beyond his normal range of writing and to keep challenging himself to make his poems better.

In typical writerly fashion, McCreary carries a notebook around with him in case is he inspired by something that occurs during his day. However, when it comes to actually sitting down and