Graduate

Graduate Alumni Interview: Adam Carter

Adam Carter,

MFA Creative Writing
Spring 2019

Bio:

Picture of Adam Carter standing behind a lecture podium with microphones

Adam Carter is a Master of Fine Arts graduate from the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ. While in Tampa he founded Writers with Conviction, a creative writing program at the Zephyrhills Correctional Facility. He currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he works as a State Public Defender. His writing can be found in Midwestern Gothic, Florida English Journal, and most recently in New Southern Fugitives. Prior to his ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏdegree, he obtained a Masters of English from Indiana University, Purdue University, Indiana, a Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law, and a Bachelor of Psychology from Indiana University, Bloomington. You can follow his work on Twitter .

What is your position now?

Deputy Public Defender, Public Defender of Indiana.

Why did you come to the ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏgraduate program?

The fully funded ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏMFA, located in sunny Tampa and filled with brilliant professors, was a no-brainer for me.

What was a unique opportunity you had at USF?

Began a prison writing program at Zephyrhills Correctional Facility under the tutelage of Dr. Lennon and Dr. Fleming.

How did ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏprepare you for your current position?

My work at ºÚÁÏÍø³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏsignificantly improved my legal writing skills. In fact, I am giving an attorney lecture on the power of storytelling in legal writing in September. I also write creatively in my free time with the input of both local writers and former classmates. I have a new essay accepted for publication in the (hopefully near) future.

What advice would you give to new graduate students in the program?

Use it as an opportunity to explore. I came in intending to focus on a novel, but soon developed more interest in creative nonfiction and the prison instruction. I still write fiction, but finding new passions was an equally valuable portion of my education.