Assignment for Tuesday, Jan. 8

Write another 300 words of fiction, whether you need to add to a story, start a new one, or conclude one and start a new one.

News for Friday, Jan. 4

Ms. Spiotta's visit has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 14 (which is also a Day 3, so it will still be first block).

You can go here to read (or listen to her read) "Jelly and Jack," which is excerpted from her most recent novel, Innocents and Others, but you don't have to read it by Friday's class.

Assignment for Wednesday, Dec. 19, and News for after Break

For Wednesday, turn in 800 words of your fiction writing. Keep in mind that by the end of the semester (Friday, January 18), you'll need to turn in 2500 words of fiction writing (including these 800).

During the first class after break, on Friday, January 4, acclaimed novelist Dana Spiotta will visit our class. Read this 2016 profile of her before that class. (We will read it during Wednesday's class and come up with questions for her.) When we work out what she will do in class that day, I will post that information here.

Assignment for Friday, Dec. 7

Continue writing your first story, and share it with me. If you haven't sent me the conflict for that story, do so. Also, identify a writer you wish you could write like or a piece of fiction you wish you could have written. List (and share with me) three reasons you admire your choice.

Assignment for Wednesday, Dec. 5

Identify the conflict for the first story you are working on. Write it out in one sentence and share it with me. Keep in mind that you will need to turn in 800 words of fiction writing by the December break (Dec. 19), and 2500 words by the end of the semester, so you probably want to continue writing your story. If you haven't shared the beginning of your story with me, be sure to do so.

Assignment for Thursday, Nov. 29

Come to class with two or three ideas for stories. In addition, try to give a sense of how those stories could develop--their length, story arcs, characters, etc. In class, we will look at two classic, but very different stories, and talk about ways to start writing your story or stories. 

Class Reflection

Send me a statement (four-to-six sentences) that reflects on your work in this class so far. How do you feel about your progress? How do you feel about your growth as a writer? What specifically do you feel you can do now or understand now about your writing that you didn't understand or do at the beginning of the class? Do you feel you've given a good effort to grow as a writer? How would you like to continue to grow as a writer in the second quarter? (Keep in mind, we will be turning to fiction after Thanksgiving.) You have no other homework for the weekend. Enjoy!