Course Description
625D is a class devoted to learning the Foundations of Creative Writing. But how do each of us conceive of our writerly foundations? And how can a study of both our shared foundations and our distinct lineages of craft, technique, story, and inspiration help us better understand the ways we most want to grow as writers and teachers of writing? In the first weeks of the course we’ll consider the connection between how we view the world and how we render it; for whom we write, and why, as well as what kind of work we want our writing to do in the world; and we’ll look at beginnings, both our beginnings as writers and our process for beginning a piece. From there, we’ll move into a larger research project: a writer’s family tree or genealogy of scholarship. We’ll identify which writers, theories, methods, and techniques have influenced us– and we’ll identify additional influences that can deepen, complicate, and further our knowledge. From this genealogy, students will select at least one book to read and study independently. After the midpoint of the term, we’ll study the writerly idea of “craft” and prepare a generative workshop that focuses on exploring or teaching one technique. We’ll close the term with a brief survey of pedagogical tools and workshop models for teaching creative writing. We’ll also give and receive feedback on our favorite critical and creative pieces in anticipation of the final portfolio.
Class Meeting
In person! Dean Hall 104 (Culture Lab), Tuesdays, 6-8:30PM
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the semester, students should have:
- Foundational knowledge of creative writing history, theories, and pedagogies
- Understanding of creative writing craft techniques in fiction, creative nonfiction, and/or poetry
- Ability to analyze and articulate why they write and how they construct that writing
- Ability to contextualize their own creative writing within broader artistic and scholarly conversations
- Ease with independent research, including the integration of primary and secondary sources with creative skills
- A writing community to continue developing
Assignment Overview
- 10 Experiments (a mix of creative and critical first drafts aimed at either practicing writing techniques or elucidating ideas under study)
- 2 Revisions (of the student’s choice of two of their experiments)
- 2 Peer Workshops, with editorial letters
- 1 Writer’s Family Tree (Midterm Project) that includes:
- a map of influences
- annotated bibliography
- an essay (draft and revision) of an early poetics, (re)search statement, craft interrogation, or other reflection
- 1 Book Report (5-7 minutes)
- 1 Proposal for a generative writing workshop, plus teaching demo (10 minute lecture + class leadership)
- A final portfolio consisting of some combination of creative work, artist’s statement, and/or craft paper.
Some Texts
Full book recommended TO PURCHASE:
- Salesses, Matthew. Craft in the Real World
Essays & Excerpts uploaded to Laulima and available FOR FREE include:
- Alison, Jane. “Introduction.” Meander, Spiral, Explode: Design and Pattern in Narrative.
- Baxter, Charles. “Against Epiphanies.”
- Gay, Ross. Excerpts from The Book of Delights
- Hong, Cathy Park. “Delusions of Whiteness in the Avant Garde.”
- Le Guin, Ursula. “Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction.”
- Leahy, Anna, Ed. Excerpts from Power and Identity in the Creative Writing Classroom
- Lorca, Federico. “Theory and Play of The Duende”
- Lorde, Audre. “Poetry is Not a Luxury”
- McDougall, Brandy Nālani. Excerpts from Finding Meaning: Kaona and Contemporary Hawaiian Literature
- Miller, Brenda and Suzanne Paola. “The Power of Writing Communities.” Tell It Slant: Creating, Refining, and Publishing Creative Nonfiction, 3rd ed.
- Mura, David. “On Race and Craft” and “Writing Teachers.” A Stranger’s Journey: Race, Identity, and Narrative Craft in Writing
- Myers, David. Excerpts from The Elephants Teach: Creative Writing Since 1880