Week 2: Inspiration Cont'd

Mon 1/18--NO SCHOOL!

Tues 1/19--Today, your assignment will consist of two parts:

  • Journal Entry #1. Word count: 500 words. Suggested prompt (but you don't need to use it):

    • Write about a day you'd like to forget

      • 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?

    • Reading: Chapter One of Writing Fiction--read pages 7-15

    • Read: "The Omens"--pages 45-46 in your reader

Thurs 1/21-- (please note that I've changed the story for Thursday)

    • Bring Writing Fiction so we can briefly discuss Chapter 1.

    • Please read "Roy Spivey" in your reader (79-82). Note the following:

      • think about the following questions:

        • what makes the story work (if it does work) for you?

        • try to read the story like a writer and consider at least ONE thing you can take from the story to help your own writing (if you didn't like the story, that one thing can be something NOT to do in your own writing)

    • Bring to class a wacky/interesting/beautiful/strange image

      • Print it out in color on one of the school's printers

      • Make TWO copies

Fri 1/22--Using the image you've selected, please write a 600 word freewrite that may or may not turn into a story.

    • Please post the freewrite on Canvas

  • Note that while the majority of the freewrite won't be shared in class, I will ask everyone to share a brief snippet of it (50 or so words).

    • Please bring the image you selected to class!!!

  • Time yourself--continue getting a sense of how long it takes you to do a freewrite.

Upcoming important deadline: Thurs 2/9--first story submission due!

Note: Sometimes, assignments are intentionally short so as to allow you time to work on your own writing/story idea. Please use this extra time to full advantage.

Note: I often don't give assignments in advance because I like to create space for new ideas and assignments. I'm very open to your ideas so let me know if anything comes to you. That said, if you'd like assignments a bit further in advance b/c it's a heavy work week, let me know and I'll try to give the assignments out a little sooner (or at least tell you what I'm thinking).