Online Synchronous. (If safety permits, we will mutually schedule outdoor picnic gatherings for class, with snacks I provide.)
In this course, we will be reading and practicing fiction and nonfiction. We will begin with memoir, reading true-to-life narratives, while also studying essays on the art and practice of nonfiction. We will continue the semester with fiction, reading and writing while also engaging critical ideas on what makes fiction work.
During each class, students will complete in-class writing prompts to inspire their own individual storylines, practicing techniques in memoir and fiction, respectively. These exercises will develop into complete drafts of original creative writing, utilizing craft practices we discuss in class.
Since this is a small-group course, developing a community of dedicated readers and writers is important. Students should commit themselves to steady attendance via Zoom.
Course Learning Objectives
- Interpret creative writing through close reading and viewing.
- Engage the ideas and the writing of others in active, compassionate, critical ways.
- Draft and revise original creative writing by a series of deadlines, prepared for a small audience of readers.
- Track different modes of thought on fiction and nonfiction by engaging a body of craft work and practices.
- Discover your own aesthetics within fiction and nonfiction.
Required Texts
- No required textbook to purchase, to keep your budget intact.
- PDFs provided by me via Laulima and email.
- Your own dedicated, blank journal for all in-Zoom writing exercises.
- One book for one author presentation (can be checked out of the library).
Assignments and (Un)Grading
- Participation in verbal, Zoom class conversations 15%
- Completion of in-class writing exercises by hand. 15%
- Original 500-750 word piece of nonfiction. 10%
- Original 900-1200 word piece of nonfiction. 15%
- One 500-750 word piece of fiction. 10%
- One 900-1200 word piece of fiction. 15%
- One brief presentation on a paragraph of published prose. 10%
- End-of-semester author report. 10%
We are living through a once-in-a-generation crisis, and I have no interest in adding to your stress and uncertainty. I’m more interested in talking about your individual assignments, rather than assigning them a letter or a number.
Therefore, I will not be grading individual writing assignments. I will be giving written feedback on each assignment instead. If you attend most of our Zoom classes, taking no more than your four permitted absences, and you complete all the assignments by their respective deadlines, you can expect at least an A-. If your assignments are completely free of grammatical errors, and you attend a reading as detailed below, you will earn an A¸ or, in very rare instances of impeccable care taken with your craft, assignments, and participation, an A+.
If you choose not to complete a writing assignment by the deadline, but you submit it within the following week of the deadline, you can expect a B+ for the class and reduced written feedback from me.
If you choose not to complete two writing assignments by the deadline, but you submit them within the following week of the deadlines, you can expect a B for the class and reduced written feedback from me.
If you choose not to complete three or more assignments by the deadlines, and you do not turn them in by the next seven days of those deadlines, you can expect a grade of C+ and no written feedback from me.
If you do not complete some, or any, of your assignments within a week of the deadline, you can expect your overall grade to be lowered by the percentage points listed above.
I hope you can join us, and I look forward to meeting you.