Types of CW (Fiction/Creative Non-Fiction)

In this course
we will be practicing the art of prose writing in two forms: fiction and
creative non-fiction. Initially we will look at how these genres are intimately
connected and we will proceed from there. In the fiction portion of this course we will study the elements—plot,
setting, character, point of view, tone & style, and theme, etc.—that make
the whole (the story, that is) greater than the sum of its parts. For the non-fiction part of this course, we will be studying
various authors to see what they fuse fictional elements into real life stories.

Whether we’re
writing fiction or non-fiction, we’ll be doing exercises that are geared toward
getting our storylines going and improving our prose stylistically. Specific
exercises will involve recalling, transcribing and/or inventing dialogue;
crafting scenes; and writing short narratives. Through these exercises we
should find our potential stories; then, with an awareness of the juggling act
we need to do involving tone, characters, action, time and place, we will
strive to come up with stories we can be proud of.

Course Requirements

  •  Informal writing exercises
  • Twenty-five
    to thirty pages of polished prose.
  • Attendance
    and participation


Required Texts

  • No
    books are required, but students need to purchase a COURSE READER (available at
    Professional Image, 2633 S. King Street)