Week One: Inspiration

Note: all assignments are due on the day to which they are assigned.

Monday 2/3—Introduction to the course. Introduction of students and teacher.

Tuesday 2/4 —Read the course website, paying particular attention to the syllabus. Bring in any questions you have about the course/course policies.

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

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 2/6—