Tuesday, 18 September, 2012

The class began with writing to the prompt:

Make a list of objects smaller than a fist .....

List three things that are in your pocket ... or purse ... or european man bag ...

Randomly choose one of the objects from the first list. Now you have a person who has four things in their pocket. Try imagining who this person is, write about this person, or write a story that includes this character.....


Writers discussed ways to modify the prompt to make it work in other ways.

The class discussed chapters in Writing Down the Bones and aspects of Goldberg's approach to writing that they liked and responded to as well as aspects that weren't working for them. We discussed ways to share Goldberg's ideas in the form of projects that will be assigned next week.

The class read the story "People Watching". We discussed characterization and tone.

We will review the story in class next Thursday as well.

HOMEWORK: Writers should read at least two more chapters of Writing Down the Bones and bring at least one more "try this" activity.

Monday, 17 September 2012

Writers made lists of things that people hide.

Writers then used to select a prompt for either fictional or non-fiction writing; there was an opportunity for writers to share.

The class then discussed the story "Who Kept One Hand In Her Pocket" in the context of whether or not it is a story according to the definition provided last week.

Writers were reminded that they have a homework assignment for tomorrow based in reading Writing Down the Bones (see previous post).

Thursday, 13 September, 2012

Class began with developing a list of memorable places. Then writers either wrote a description of this place (with a focus on sensory details), or they wrote about something happen in or at this place.

The class then discussed the homework assignment. In various ways writers described which essays in Writing Down the Bones had been useful or challenging (or not useful to them). Mr. Zartler briefly described the upcoming assignment of creating a project to demonstrate one of Goldberg's suggestions to other writers.

Homework: Writers are to read four additional essays from Writing Down the Bones and to try at least one of Goldberg's suggestions for next Tuesday.

Mr. Zartler then lectured on the structure of a story. He argued that

A story = character(s) + conflict => resolution

He discussed the concept of a "shaggy dog story," a story without conflict or resolution.

The class then read "Pocket Gopher Feet" by Jim Heynen and discussed if it was a story or not.

Homework: for Monday's class students are to read "Who Kept One Hand In Her Pocket," also by Heynen and to take notes on whether or not IT is a story.

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