Note: all assignments are due on the day to which they are assigned.
Monday 1/11—Introduction to the course, students, and teacher.
Tuesday 1/12 —Read the course website, paying particular attention to the syllabus. Bring in any questions you have about the course and/or course policies.
Write 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 never know 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.
Thursday 1/14—
Read excerpt from Writing Down the Bones (attached below).
Writing Exercise: Pick one of the topics for writing practice listed on pp. 20-22. Write for 10-15 minutes following the "rules" listed on p. 8. You won't have to hand this in or show it to anyone (including me) but bring the paper just so I can see you did the assignment.
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 or on Canvas to share with other students)
Friday 1/15—
Read Jane Bakerman "The Seams Can't Show" about Toni Morrison (attached down below as a PDF).
On the Canvas discussion site (assuming it's up), please post 5 ways you find inspiration to be creative.