Tuesday, 11 September, 2012

Today's free write prompt was, "Happiness is...."

Writer's checked out a copy of Writing Down the Bones from the library.

Writers in class today practiced descriptive writing from two different points of view.

Mr. Zartler presented eight elements of story telling. Though these elements were not discussed in general how each is a tool for writing a story was briefly examined.

• Scene (showing) / Summary (telling)
• Character Description
• Setting Description
• Dialogue (spoken words)
• Blocking (actions of characters)
• Figurative Language
• Interior Monologue (words thought but not spoken)
• Flashback

As a class writers read the essay "Beginner's Mind".

Homework:
Writers are to choose and read any three of the essays in Writing Down the Bones. Then the writer is to choose at least one of the suggested activities in one of the essays and complete that activity for class on Thursday.

Monday, 10 September, 2012

Writers today wrote to the prompt: "I remember...."

The class read the essay "First Thoughts" in Writing Down the Bones and learned the six rules for writing practice:

1) Keep you hand moving.

2) Don't cross out

3) Don't worry about spelling, punctuation, grammar (of course this rule does NOT apply to work being turned in or published.)

4) Lose control

5) Don't think. Don't get logical.

6) Go for the jugular.

Introduction to Creative Writing

Welcome to our Creative Writing class.

You will be writing in a variety of forms this year.

You will need to have a dedicated writing journal (a spiral notebook will serve admirably), a pen, and some additional paper for each class.

Writers will be required to write in their journals regularly; read works assigned to the entire class and chosen for independent reading. Writers will be expected to participate by sharing their own work and by providing appropriate feedback to other writers in the class.

During the first semester major writing projects will include writing a piece of Morbid Fiction due the October 29th. Other major assignments will include a personal essay of the type appropriate for college applications, a second piece of fiction, a toast that will be prepared for use in the writer's family but which will also be presented in class, and many shorter less refined pieces.

Writers will also be assigned projects to demonstrate their learning.

First quarter writers will read the book Writing Down the Bones: Free the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg.

The course syllabus is available at http://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/otl/syllabus/2012-13/10876

23-27 April

It's been kind of a strange week. ACT testing, etc.

So, just to review.
A Childrens' book is:
Written for a specific age child.
Written specifically to be read TO a child; to be read BY a child; (or to be read WITH a child).
Has utility to a parent or adult; including teaching children something that they should know.

All thesis rough drafts that were turned in ON TIME have been returned. Late drafts will be returned on Monday of next week.

Mr. Zartler will be in DC next Wednesday through Friday, and Ms. Margolis will be teaching for him

20 / 23 April

All writers had due two pieces of very short fiction.

Seniors worked on this self-evaluation

While Juniors completed paper work for the ACT testing next Tuesday.

18/19 April

Writers received instructions in how to put illustrations and text boxes into their thesis final drafts.

Writers received a rubric to help them ensure that their finals drafts are excellent.

Monday/ Tuesday 17 /18 April

End of the Year Due Dates: Creative Writing

Senior Finals dates are: May 22-25 Seniors will have a reflective piece due during this time.

Submission to the Grant Literary Magazine by emailing your piece to grantlitmag@gmail.com is due on or before the 19th of April.

Thesis Due Dates:

Your Thesis is due one week (7 days) after you get the rough draft back from me. If this date is the same date as one of the two other major assignments listed below, you will have two (2) additional days to revise your thesis and turn in your final draft of the thesis.

Bound and Illustrated Children’s Book: Due 9/10 May.

Bound and Illustrated “Not Quite” Children’s Book: Due 21/22 May.

Juniors remaining after the Seniors’ last day will have one additional major writing project and a reflective piece due during finals.

Class on Wednesday and Thursday of this week will be devoted to turning your rough thesis into you final; lessons will include putting illustrations into your piece; inserting text boxes (in order to include ghazal); common editing problems, etc.