The Writing of Fiction
This course will discuss the techniques of fiction writing and will offer guidance in writing some works of original short fiction.
Outcomes: Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the critical skills necessary for discussing, analyzing and formulating arguments about fiction, and will produce original short stories.
This course will discuss the techniques of fiction writing and will offer guidance in writing some works of original short fiction.
Outcomes: Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the critical skills necessary for discussing, analyzing and formulating arguments about fiction, and will produce original short stories.
Artistic Knowledge and Experience
The course presents an advanced exploration of the principles of fiction writing through a combination of brief lectures, craft and response exercises, targeted assigned reading, in-class reading, critical workshops and multiple opportunities for discussion. One must be a good reader to be a good writer, so accept the fact that we need to read everything assigned for the class! But this is a writing course; students will be writing both critically and creatively every day. The course is both aggregate and recursive, meaning we continue to use and understand earlier concepts and techniques even as we progress, most notably through student critical awareness and creative writing. The course first establishes a general critical sensibility of fiction writing, history, technique, and purpose using established writers¿ work and perspectives on craft using Flash Fiction. This critical foundation prepares students to guide their own writing as well as to engage and constructively assess that of their fellow students. The course then establishes an advanced sense of genre, structure and style using both established and student writing using the Short Story. The final stage of the course focuses wholly on student fiction writing, drafting and work-shopping using the student¿s choice of either a second Short Story or the beginning of a novel; the healthy and productive workshop atmosphere and etiquette is modeled and utilized to address creative development as opposed to simply appeasing the writer¿s ego or comfort. The class will learn and prepare for publication potential, including viable outlets, contact protocols, and invaluable research tools. Topics include: recognition of fiction elements; recognition and prioritization of craft elements; appreciation for creative expectations and obstacles; stimulation of identity within drama and conflict; and attention to concrete sensory detail, plot or setting structural considerations, internal and standard dialogue, characterization, opening and ending considerations, revision considerations, and fiction stylistics expected of publication-worthy work.
Class Details
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