Creative Writing I Schedule

Hybrid Course, Spring 2012

Following each date below are reading or other assignments due for that day. Also following each date are tentative activities and topics for the class period. If you miss a meeting, you should 1) get full notes and updates from several classmates; and 2) check with me again if you have specific, informed questions. Because this schedule is flexible and subject to change, and because it's a workshop course, it's vital that you attend regularly and keep up with current announcements. Be sure as well to check your email and this online schedule regularly for changes and updates.

Fri. Jan. 13—

  • Introduction to course.

Fri. Jan. 20—

Before Class

  • Read Carver's, "Cathedral."
  • Set up personal Thread in Bb Multi-Use Board.

In Class

  • Give Away a Dollar Excercise.
  • Where to find stories; how to frame; character-based.
  • Begin work with flash fiction.
  • Briefly discuss "Cathedral"—starting with a character.

Fri. Jan. 27—

Before Class

  • Read flash fiction samples (pay attention especially to those with an * by their name).
  • Read O'Brien's, "How to Tell a True War Story."
  • Work on Cyber Class flash fiction pieces. Remember that each week's Cyber Work is due by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, and that full instructions for each week will aways appear in the Cyber Class WEEKLY INSTRUCTIONS Forum of our Bb Multi-Use Board.

In Class

  • Continue discussion of flash fiction: Giles and Fernandez. Elements of fiction: character, plot.
  • Discuss O'Brien. Elements of fiction: setting and plot.
  • Go over Fiction Project.

Fri. Feb. 3 —"Art is thinking in images."—Aleksander Potebnya

Before Class

  • Take a look at two documents to help you develop characters in your stories: Character Tips and Characterization (U. of Berkeley).
  • Read through Style to get a sense of how different writer prose styles can be.
  • Share faves from Skittish Libations.
  • Check your email and/or the Blackboard Discussion Board "Workshop" Forum for anything your classmates may have submitted for discussion this week. (Be sure to read that material carefully before class.) And feel free to submit something yourself!!!!!!

In Class

  • Work with prose style.
  • Workshop!

Feb. 10—

Before Class

In Class

  • Draft of Fiction Project due. Bring 2 copies.
  • Workshop.

Feb. 17—

Away at conference in MN. No regular class meeting. Instructions TBA.

Feb. 24—

Before Class

In Class

  • Fiction Project due, instructions TBA.
  • The Luminous Object exercise.
  • Begin poetry.
  • Greeting cards.

More Coming Soon!

 

Back to 323 Homepage