Friday, May 29, 2009

Fantasy Draft

Choose from your character list and event list. Pick only the events that help distinguish your character.

Begin your first page of your story. Describe the setting, introduce your protagonist, and create your inciting incident.

4th period - be prepared to take the quiz on chpt. 7-9 and bring your Hobbit books to room a240.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Fantasy Project - Character & Events

In any writing, character is key. It is the most essential element of writing, even in poetry, plays, or fiction writing.

For fantasy, the protagonist generally falls under one of the following types:
1. The quiet, but deadly warrior (ex. Conan, Elric of Melniborne)
2. The innocent who is swept up in the plot unexpectedly (ex. Bilbo, Frodo, Harry Potter)
3. The determined youngster out to prove him/herself (ex. Frodo, Harry Potter)
4. The outcast (ex. Harry Potter, Shrek)

The hero/heroine always has a goal. There is usually something in the character's personality that becomes a helpful tool, for example: bravery, stick-to-it-ness, chutzpah, innocence, determination, etc. It is usually a positive, but dormant trait that the events of the story help bring into focus.

What's in a Name?

Fantasy names can be a little odd. They are often determined by the type of mythology that the author uses as a background. Bilbo, for example, recalls the type of Norse names common in Anglo Saxon literature; however, he is an innocent, foolish sort of character so the ending of his name suggests a softness or feminine quality to it. Harry Potter, by contrast, is undoubtedly English. Conan just sounds "tough."
XsnickerX

So, create a protagonist for your story. Write notes in your journal. Choose one of the types of characters and describe, flesh out, motivate your character. Use the link to the side to help create a name. Then move on to part 2.

Part 2:

Events.

Stuff happens in stories. Events. Problems. Things that keep the reader interested. This means that, like in the quest, the hero/heroine is going to be challenged. Usually the type of challenge to the character(s) reflects their personality and the type of "strengths" they have. For example: Bilbo is a simple, unassuming fellow who doesn't like to travel or move, constantly complaining about needing a bath or a good meal. But in the inside, Bilbo longs for adventure. He is resourceful, lucky, adventurous, and quite brave. The events that he finds himself in help illustrate and bring out this "hidden" talent or personality trait.

Make a list of POSSIBLE events or problems that your new character can face. Use some of your world design or map to come up with both physical challenges as well as mental or spiritual ones. Make a huge list in your journal of possible events that will help bring out your character's inner-personlity.

4th period we will be moving next door to take our quiz and continue reading the Hobbit. Please bring your books and journals with you.

Friday, May 22, 2009

J.R.R. Tolkien & the Imaginary World project - part 1

Please see the links on the link page about J.R.R. Tolkien. Please visit this website and browse around. Take a few notes about Tolkien.

When you've had enough of that, please begin creating your own world. You may use Greek, Roman, Norse, Asian, African, European, Aboriginal, etc. mythology as a background setting, if you'd like--or create a new mythology of your own creation. Usually, the first step in creating a world is drawing continents or a specific area, naming lands or showing borders, etc. Make sure to put a few interesting landmarks on your map for potential use in a story.

1. Create a map of your imaginary world. (See Tolkien's examples in the book)
2. Brainstorm what the people, geography, culture in your setting is like and other details about the imaginary place. (For examples see Tolkien)

All of this material can be completed in your journal.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Fantasy Genres

Fantasy fiction is a wide genre suited to the fantasist reader. It has what fantasists like best: a strange or exciting world in which to lose themselves in, often an epic story with a lof of action, weird occurances, strange characters, and the best part: it's not OUR reality. Laws and physics do not work the same as in realist fiction.

Fantasy can be describes as fiction with elements of magic, unknown monsters, creatures, strange beings, and make-believe worlds. While many consider knights in armor, mystical elves, and burly dwarves swinging axes (thanks to the role playing industry) to be the staples of fantasy, there are other aspects to is as well. Here's an overview of the fantasy genres in fiction.

"High or Epic Fantasy Genre
The high or epic fantasy genre is probably the most recognized by the general public. In high or epic fantasy, knights go on quests, fair maidens need rescuing, and the general theme is usually Good vs. Evil. This fantasy genre is set in a pseudo-medieval world of kings and queens. It often has powerful wizards, bands of adventurers, and multiple quests to undertake. The stories scopes are large and vast, and often spread out over several books in a series.

Sword and Sorcery Fantasy Genre
The sword and sorcery fantasy genre is akin to Dungeons & Dragons games put in type. With similar characteristics of high or epic fantasy, sword and sorcery has a much smaller scope. One band of adventurers is going on one quest. There is often a lot of action involved.

Alternate History Fantasy Genre
This fantasy genre takes a snippet of real-life history and warps it to include fantasy elements. For example, an alternate history fantasy novel may be about WWII and how the goblins played a hand in defeating the Nazis.

One popular sub-genre of alternate history is steampunk. Set in Victorian or Edwardian era, steampunk fantasy incorporates steam-powered technology in often suprising or fantasic ways.

Urban or Contemporary Fantasy Genre
Urban or contemporary fantasy differ only in that urban fantasy is set in a city and is sometimes darker in nature than contemporary. Harry Potter is an example of contemporary fantasy. These fantasy genres combine magical beings or spells with modern socity.

Dark Fantasy
The dark fantasy genre is, by definition, dark. It often overlaps both the urban fantasy genre and horror. Vampires, demons rising from the underworld, and Lovecraftian stories are dark fantasy. What makes a story dark fantasy rather than straight horror is often the medieval type setting, or more emphasis on paranormal themes over simply scaring the pants off the reader.

Other Fantasy Genres
There are other fantasy genres besides the ones listed above. Elfpunk is a sub-genre in which fantasy creatures such as elves, dwarves, and fairies enter into, or are a part of, ultra-modern 'punk' society. Erotic fantasy has a strong overshadow of sex, while romantic fantasy is more subtle in the love plots. Mythic fantasy uses classic myths or legends to introduce the fantasy elements. There are science fantasy crossovers from classic science fiction, and even comic fantasy."

Quest Archetype

The quest is traditionally a journey about the self.
1. The story starts at Protagonist’s home
2. Protagonist is pushed or spurred into action
3. The decision to ACT leads to the first major event
This first event is called a Motivating Incident
The main character has both:
Intent= to find the goal
motivation=reason for wanting to achieve it
4. The protagonist rarely travels alone; helpful characters aid the protagonist
5. Usually the quest includes a series of incidents (actions) that help to develop the protagonist

The author must ask: what difficulties would make the most interesting and challenging obstacles for the protagonist.
6. The final act of the story includes a revelation, epiphany, discovery or realization about the main character’s life or personal situation.
7. Often, additional complications arise as a result of the protagonist obtaining his goal.
8. The protagonist usually returns home, making a complete circle. He returns changed, developed.

How to do it:
1. The quest should be about a search for a person, place or thing (noun).
2. Your plot should move around a lot, visiting many people and places. Movement should result from a cause to an effect pattern.
3. Character should return to the location where he started having changed in some way. (We call a changed character DYNAMIC)
4. First act includes motivating or inciting incident; clearly understand the intent and motivation of your main character.
5. Include a companion and a helpful character
6. The protagonist should come to a realization about himself through his quest

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

3rd Annual Rochester Grand Slam Off

Monday, May 25 the Countywide teen poetry slam finals will be held from 2:00 to 7:00. The event will include teen poets representing SOTA, Wilson, Monroe, West Irondequoit, and Writers & Books. Admission is free (with suggested donation) and refreshments will be served. The event will be located at 142 Atlantic Ave.

Come support our school and performance poetry!

Extra credit available for those who attend.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

More Play Exercises

Friday my substitute did not give you the correct materials for a play exercise. As a result, you had two periods to complete marking period work. Today, we will complete that play exercise. Open a new word document and put your name on this page. Please await instructions.

4th period we will move to A240 to read together.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Plays

We are going to be working with playwriting today. Please come up to the front of the room and gather around Mr. Craddock for instructions.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Coffee House - May 18

Our last coffee house of the year will be held on May 18 at 7:00 (usually lasts an hour or an hour and 1/2.) This coffee house performance we will be saying "goodbye" and good luck to our senior Creative Writing majors. Please join us for coffee, cookies, and original poetry/fiction.

Freshmen who attend and read or perform their original work to the audience will get extra credit in Ms. Gamzon and Mr. Craddock's classes. We would love to see you there!

Poetry collection G-L instructions

Poetry Collection (G-L)

1. Select one collection of poetry from a poet whose last name begins with G-L.
2. Read this collection.
3. As you read, I am not only asking you to notice the poems you enjoy and the poems that don’t “thrill” you, but to begin looking for basic craft elements, literary devices, and the use of opening lines and closing lines.
4. In your journal write down phrases or lines of poems you like. Create a wordspill list, if you’d like. Gather words like ripe fruit and put them in your journal “basket”.
5. After you have read the collection, choose the poem you liked the most from the collection. Answer the following ?’s about the poem: HINT: your answer should be about 1-2 pages double spaced, well thought out and specific! Use supporting details and evidence from the poem and collection.
a. Who is speaking in the poem? How can you tell?
b. What is the speaker speaking about? How can you tell? What is happening in the poem?
c. Why is the speaker speaking at this particularly moment? What hints does the poet give you that leads your thinking in that direction?
d. Where is the poem set? Why does the poet use this setting? What significance or meaning does the place have in regards to the action or conflict of the poem?
e. Who is the speaker speaking to? What clues does the poet give you?
f. Examine style. What poetic devices can you find in the poem?
6. Use your “basket” of words to create a poem draft.

Your original poem (#6) is due today as well as the 1-2 page double spaced well thought out answer to #5 above.

Poetry Chapbook Collection (G-L)

Today, work on completing the poetry chapbook collection project. Your completed analysis of one of the chapbook poems is due at the end of class. Please complete it.

Your journals are due on Wednesday. Please make a note of this.

The Graveyard Book - Discussion Questions

  In your discussion groups, please answer 5 of the 10 discussion questions. Choose a member of your group to record your answers. Make sure...