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