English 35A: Introduction to Writing Fiction and
English 35B: Intermediate Fiction Writing
English 35A: Introduction to Writing Fiction and
English 35B: Intermediate Fiction Writing
Fall 2026
ENGL 35A (Section 001) Intro. to Writing Fiction (CRN: 73988) and
ENGL 35B (Section 001) Intermediate Fiction Writing (CRN: 73989)
Wednesdays, 1:10-4:00pm
We’ll read deeply into the stories we read this semester, both published stories by authors and stories that we write, and explore the way writers craft their stories, and which tools they use to create the effects they want on their readers. We’ll look closely at how stories begin, and how stories end. We want to understand in our personal worlds how stories begin to live on the page, and how writers shape their stories to fulfill their purposes. While we read and discuss stories this semester, we’ll always do so with love and respect for the authors of the stories, who have opened up and shared their personal thoughts and emotions with us. When we discuss our writing in class, we will explore with curiosity and ask inquisitive questions in order to better underrated the writers’ intentions, and tactfully provide ideas for experimentation and development. We never insult writers, make fun of works that we don’t relate to as individuals. Rather, we are building a sanctuary, a place to feel safe and brave, a community of support and care.
Revision—both an altering of what is there and a new vision all together—will be a central part of this course, to dive into a work and envision its potentials, to experiment, take chances, to see each piece’s flexibility in the moment, the choices we make. As the purpose of this class is to survey our processes, and ourselves, questions are more important that answers and your own advice to yourself will be the most valuable.
August 19, 2026 - December 22, 2026 [Find the following dates in the Instructional Calendar or in the online Schedule of Classes by hovering over the deadlines link next to your class listing.]
Last day to add: September 4, 2026
Last day for refund: September 1, 2026
Last day to drop without W: September 4, 2026
Last day to drop with W: November 13, 2026
Last day to elect pass/no pass: 13-NOV-26
You can read my English 35AB Fall 2026 Course Syllabus here. Note: You must be a CCSF student and be signed into Canvas to view the syllabus.
*Note: You must be logged onto CCSF Canvas to be able to access the syllabus.