Your next writing assignment may seem like an easy one: publish one of your journal entries. It would be easy if you didn't have to revise it. But would it be good?
Choose one of your journal entries (Prompts #1-15), and revise it. Publish the polished version (with title and prompt #).
Due Sunday, 10/11 @ midnight
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Impulse 2
Remember our discussion on conflict and high stakes.
Click here for notes on scenes.
Write a scene (remember, dialogue only) using the following image:
A busy coffee shop. An afternoon on a winter weekend. We hear the clatter of dishes and cups being cleared. It is cold outside and the windows have steamed over: inside it is warm, a little too warm, steamy and muggy. Coats and sweaters and scarves are draped over the back of chairs and booths, and hang from hooks on the wall. Puddles of dirty water have formed under the tables- the drippings from shoes. Two people are sitting at a table by a window. One of them studies the menu. The other person does not look at the menu. Finally, the person looking at the menu speaks. What does this person say?
Due Sunday, 10/4 @ midnight
+2 comments by Friday, 10/9
Click here for notes on scenes.
Write a scene (remember, dialogue only) using the following image:
A busy coffee shop. An afternoon on a winter weekend. We hear the clatter of dishes and cups being cleared. It is cold outside and the windows have steamed over: inside it is warm, a little too warm, steamy and muggy. Coats and sweaters and scarves are draped over the back of chairs and booths, and hang from hooks on the wall. Puddles of dirty water have formed under the tables- the drippings from shoes. Two people are sitting at a table by a window. One of them studies the menu. The other person does not look at the menu. Finally, the person looking at the menu speaks. What does this person say?
Due Sunday, 10/4 @ midnight
+2 comments by Friday, 10/9
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sketch Writing
Your next writing assignment is to write a sketch (of a character, object, or incident).
Click here for notes on sketches.
Some things are easier to inspire than assign. I will say this: no matter what you choose to focus on in your sketch (a character, an object, or an incident), choose only specific details that will contribute to a specific overall impression. In other words, FOCUS on a specific mood you want your sketch to convey.
We will be in the writing lab Friday, 9/25 working on our sketches. It will be due Sunday, 9/27 @ midnight.
+ 2 comments by Friday, 10/2.
Click here for notes on sketches.
Some things are easier to inspire than assign. I will say this: no matter what you choose to focus on in your sketch (a character, an object, or an incident), choose only specific details that will contribute to a specific overall impression. In other words, FOCUS on a specific mood you want your sketch to convey.
We will be in the writing lab Friday, 9/25 working on our sketches. It will be due Sunday, 9/27 @ midnight.
+ 2 comments by Friday, 10/2.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Scene
On Tuesday we did a writing activity (The Impulse) designed to get you in touch with your subconscious mind. We spent 15 minutes crafting a dialogue between these two people in the car.
That was your first draft. Thursday, we will be in the writing lab revising those scenes.
Rules:
+2 comments due by Friday, 9/25
That was your first draft. Thursday, we will be in the writing lab revising those scenes.
Rules:
- Your scene must be written in script format (character name, dialogue). No he said/she said or narrative description.
- Your scene can be as long/short as you need it to be.
- Your scene must be inspired by The Impulse image read in class.
- Click here for notes on scenes
+2 comments due by Friday, 9/25
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
First Page
On Friday we talked about openings and hooking your reader. The goal is to help you revise the opening of your story.
Here's your assignment:
Post the first page of your story on your blog. Your story can be a short story or a novel, as long as it's fiction. Remember the elements: Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme, Setting.
It's up to you how long your first page is. Feel free to end in the middle of a sentence. Just get your reader interested enough that she wants to move on to page two.
Also: read at least two writers' posts and leave a comment on their page. Your comment should include a prediction of what this story is about. (Think plot, character, conflict...and tone/genre. Is this a comedy, romance, fantasy, realistic fiction, what?)
Due Sunday, 9/13 @ midnight.
****NEW****Comments due Friday, 9/18 @ midnight.
Here's your assignment:
Post the first page of your story on your blog. Your story can be a short story or a novel, as long as it's fiction. Remember the elements: Plot, Character, Conflict, Theme, Setting.
It's up to you how long your first page is. Feel free to end in the middle of a sentence. Just get your reader interested enough that she wants to move on to page two.
Also: read at least two writers' posts and leave a comment on their page. Your comment should include a prediction of what this story is about. (Think plot, character, conflict...and tone/genre. Is this a comedy, romance, fantasy, realistic fiction, what?)
Due Sunday, 9/13 @ midnight.
****NEW****Comments due Friday, 9/18 @ midnight.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Intro
Your first writing assignment is to write an introduction about yourself as a writer. I'm not interested in how many brothers and sisters you have- rather, why are you in this creative writing class?
Some things to consider:
Due Friday, 9/4 @ midnight
Some things to consider:
- Which do you like more, reading or writing? Why? Which are you better at?
- How would you characterize a writer? (Personality, social status, etc.)
- What is your experience as a writer? (School vs. Personal, what have you written, do you keep a journal?)
- What do you like about writing?
- What is your favorite type of writing? (Genre, style, form).
- Do you want to be a writer? Why?
Due Friday, 9/4 @ midnight
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to Lone Peak's Creative Writing class blog. This is my second year at Lone Peak, and my first year teaching creative writing. I am extremely excited for this guinea pig of a class we have here. I'm going to try out all kinds of stuff on you guys, so be prepared.
This blog will have two functions.
Create your own blog and e-mail me the address (knelson@alpine.k12.ut.us). Feel free to keep this anonymous (come up with a pen name). There are many free blog services out there, such as blogger, wordpress, or livejournal. Surf around and find the one that works best for you.
DUE: THURSDAY, 8/27
This blog will have two functions.
- #1: Assignments, prompts, and other correspondence from me to you will take place on this blog. I will update it regularly, and you can post questions if you have any. You'll always know what is expected of you, and when things are due.
- #2: Each writer in this class will create his/her own blog. There will be a link to each student's blog (as a list on the left of this page). Your blog will be your online portfolio. You will post your writing weekly and other students will read and respond to your work. You will get credit for posting your work and posting comments on other writers' blogs.
Create your own blog and e-mail me the address (knelson@alpine.k12.ut.us). Feel free to keep this anonymous (come up with a pen name). There are many free blog services out there, such as blogger, wordpress, or livejournal. Surf around and find the one that works best for you.
DUE: THURSDAY, 8/27
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