Week 1: Freewriting

Tues 1/9—S: Introduction to the course, students, and teacher.

Weds 1/10 —L: Read the course website, paying particular attention to the syllabus. Bring in any questions you have about the course and/or course policies.

Write and print out a 350-400 word double-spaced typed letter to me that addresses the following questions (not necessarily in the order below):

Note: If you've been in one of my seminars before, some of this may be repetitive but please write the letter anyway. Sometimes students' preferences, strengths, interests, etc. change, sometimes not--either way, the letter is still very helpful to me.

1. Please tell me about yourself as a student. What kind of learning environment works best for you? Are you, for example, a visual learner, the kind of person who works better if you see graphs and charts and writing on the board? Another example: are you the kind of student who prefers small group work or pair work?

2. In what areas would you like to improve as a student? If there are specific issues or topics in creative writing you'd like to address, please mention them. E.g. "I've always liked to write stories, but I've never known how to write dialogue" or "I honestly don't feel like a 'creative' person and often get writer's block when I try to write a story."

3. Would you call yourself more of a talker or a listener in class? If a talker, suggest what you could do—and how I can help you—to improve your listening skills. If a listener, suggest would you could do—and how I can help you—to improve your talking skills.

4. Tell me a little about why you’re interested in taking a creative writing class. What are you hoping to get from it?

5. Finally, introduce yourself to me as a person--what would you like me to know about you. For example, tell me about an interesting failure or something unique or quirky about you.

Friday 1/12:

  • Read excerpt from Writing Down the Bones (attached below).

  • Journal Entry #1. Word count: 500 words.

    • Pick one of the topics for writing practice listed on pp. 20-22 of Writing Down the Bones.

    • This should be a freewrite!

      • Please remember the "rules" of free writing

        • hands keep moving

        • don't worry about grammar and spelling

        • don't cross out/go back/edit

        • lose control

        • go for the jugular

      • Please time yourself--how long did it take to freewrite 500 words?

    • Post your journal entry on here on Canvas (note: it will be confidential)

  • Come up with THREE suggestions for writing prompts following the list suggested on pp. 20-22 of Writing Down the Bones.

    • Write these suggestions on your laptop (in class, you'll post them on a Google doc)