Geva 10-Minute Play Project

Please write a 10-minute play script to submit to Geva Theatre's annual Young Writers Showcase!

Scripts should be between 5-10 pages in length (in proper playwriting format!)

Please include a TITLE PAGE with clear contact information: Name, address, phone #, and email address.

MAKE SURE YOU PROOFREAD YOUR SCRIPT BEFORE SENDING IT OFF TO THE CONTEST!

These scripts should be sent to Mrs. Jean Ryon at youngwriters@gevatheatre.org.

Use the handout PLAYWRITING TIPS to get started on your play. Use the ideas therein to make your ideas grow and develop your idea. Avoid unnecessary stage directions and the use of narrators, as this is not acceptable for theatrical productions. Use the tips in the handout to break through writers block.

Check out Mr. Ludwig's blog for details about what we did in the lab today! Keep writing on your blog!

HOMEWORK: Complete your play script by next Friday, March 7.

Short Story Posts

Today, please log onto Mr. Ludwig's blog to see today's agenda concerning short story posts and your blog projects.

Each class for the next few weeks you will want to check Mr. Ludwig's blog for our daily agenda.

Micro Fiction & The History of the Short Story

Students often ask: "How long should my story be?" instead of realizing that any story needs to have a beginning, middle, and end. This sort of open ended question really has no answer. How long should a story be? Well, traditionally, short stories are shorter than novels. That's a good place to begin.

Short stories are shorter than novels, and are usually not as complex or involved. Short stories were originally meant to be read in one sitting. As our culture has sped ahead, and we don't have much free time, short stories have become as short as a sentence or two and as long as the traditional short stories, fewer than 20,000 words. A short novel is about 50,000 words. Most publishers want novels that are anywhere from 75,000 to 100,000 words or more.

Usually a short story focuses on only one event or incident. It usually has a single plot, a single setting, a small number of characters, and covers a short period of time. Most writing students start off writing short stories because they are manageable. But the form is tricky and hard to perfect. Many authors spend their whole lives learning the craft of writing short fiction.

Longer short stories usually contain elements of dramatic structure: exposition (the introduction of setting, situation and main characters); complication (the event that introduces the conflict); rising action (development of the conflict), crisis (the decisive moment for the protagonist and her commitment to a course of action); climax (the point of highest tension and the point the protagonist faces her antagonist); resolution (the point when the conflict is resolved); and a sense of enlightenment, epiphany, or moral.

Short stories may or may not follow this pattern. Some do not follow patterns at all. Modern short stories only occasionally have an exposition. An abrupt beginning, with the story starting in the middle of the action (in media res) is more standard or typical.

Usually all short stories have a turning point and climax, but endings may be sudden or what is called "open"--leaving the story incomplete. As with all art forms, short stories will vary by author.

Read a few short short stories here. Discuss with your neighbor which stories are best and try to figure out why. Compare them to the hint fiction and micro fiction (stories of fewer than 200 words) you read for today's class. What are your observations about the writing style of these pieces? How can you compare them to your own work?

Then, spend some time today with your blog.

A: Type up your hint fiction stories (stories fewer than 25 words) (see previous posts) and publish them on your blog. 

B: Write a story of fewer than 200 words on your blog. Give your story a title. You may select any genre you wish for your story. 

C: You may write several of these in the next week or two. Try to write a hint fiction or micro fiction story (fewer than 200 words) each day during break. The student who writes the most will gain a prize!

Finally, near the end of 4th period, we will stop down to the library to pick up a collection of short fiction. Your homework will be to read this collection. Be prepared to critique and review the book on your blog when we return from break. You may use either this or Into the Beautiful North for the district's reading challenge prizes during break.

HOMEWORK: Read your selected short story collection. Write as many hint and micro fiction stories on your blog as you can. Genre and content completely up to you!

Blog Project

One of the most important marketing/writing skills you will need to succeed as a writer is having your own blog. Many authors have a blog where they can interact with their potential audience(s) and share the process of writing, or snippets of their personal lives.

First off, many of you are probably familiar with what a blog is, but if not, here you go--some important information:

A blog is a web log or web journal. A journal written online. Just like your physical writing journal, a blog can include ideas for stories, your own personal reaction to books/films/national events, etc. It can be a good place to publish your poetry, fiction, and plays before you eventually get paid for your writing. Some companies and media sources hire writers to set up and contribute to a company blog--and they pay you for it! For more info check here.

However, there's a lot to know about blogging. Check out the links below and read a little about blogs before attempting to create one.
5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Blogging

Here's a few sample writers blogs (with tips about being a writer)

• Sample Blog
• Sample blog
• Sample blog (writing tips)
• Sample blogs and types: Teen Blog #1, Teen Blog #2, Teen Blog #3, Teen Blog #4, Teen Blog #5.
• Guest Writer's blog: Amy Aderman

To set up your blog:

1. Go to blogspot.com or (tumblr.com--please note you will not be able to access tumblr from the RCSD network). You may use blogger (read link to set this up), this is Google's blog site and you can use a Google email address, if you have one. You may also use word press at this link. The choice is yours.
2. You may take a quick tour, if interested. Otherwise, create a new account.
3. You must enter an email account (if you have no email, use one from your family; if this isn’t working, use an email account from a trusted and valued friend.) You can set up a new email account at gmail.com. This is a free service. Your email account name will be your “username”

NOTE: Please send me your blog address in the COMMENT section below.

4. Create a password, display your name, look at terms of service, etc.
5. Log onto your blog. Follow the prompts to set up your page. Write down your address/passwords, etc. I can't help you if you screw this up.
6. You may provide biographical info and so on. At some point, you will need to create a NEW Post. Each new post needs a title and you should edit it before you post it.

Today, you will need to set up your Blog and write the following posts:

A. An introduction to your website. Welcome your guests and explain that you are a student @ SOTA, taking a creative writing course. This is important so that people know you are a teenager. Feel free to omit (leave out) your last name. You can also use a pseudonym if you'd prefer for privacy sake.

B. Write a short non-fiction entry about something you feel passionate about. You can rant, rave, etc. but remember that your blog is a public forum and other people in the world can access your writing. Don't embarrass yourself. Check your spelling and language so you don't come across as ignorant or unskilled. As always, it is important for a writer to think about his/her audience.

These two blog entries will be graded as participation credit. Please complete them today.

HOMEWORK: If you did not complete any of the previous assignments (or did not finish writing on the blog) do so. Add entries as you see fit to your blog. Post previous poems, short stories, essays, rants, whatever you would like. Have fun and publish!

Please read the collection of Micro-Fiction (see handout) for Thursday. We will be writing our own micro fiction stories next class.

Writing Careers

Wondering why you might want to be a writer? What jobs are out there? Why are you learning all this stuff from Ms. Gamzon, Ms. Perez, and Mr. Craddock? Let's do some research and report back to the class about writing careers.

LAB WORK/RESEARCH: Select and sign up for one of the following occupations. Your job today in class is to use the internet to find out some information to report back to the class on these jobs. Find out:

A. What is the job? (Describe what the job entails or involves)
B. What is the median (average) salary for the job
C. What education and/or requirements are needed to get the job.
D. Anything else you found interesting about the job.

Please record your findings in your journal. Take notes answering questions A-D.

By the end of period 3, please be prepared to share this information with the rest of the class. Some of the categories include: novelist, technical writer, journalist, reporter, copy editor, publisher, advertising/marketing, screenwriter/television writer, columnist, playwright, poet, lyricist (song writer), ghostwriter, press secretary, lawyer, communication manager, reviewer/critic, blogger, researcher, public relations, literary agent, freelance writer, etc.

If you finish early, take a look at any of these websites while you're waiting for classmates to finish. We'll report out in the beginning of period 4.

• Top Ten Writing Rules Advice from Famous Writers
• What does a publisher do?
• How much will I make publishing a novel?

If you finish even these, you may spend your time in the lab continuing to write your Hint Fiction stories. Try to come up with 3-5 of these (you may write more, if you'd like!)

HOMEWORK: Read the handout of short, short fiction. Complete 3-5 hint fiction stories. See post below for directions and help.

The Creative Process; Hint Fiction

Today we will continue reading the article by Scott McCloud about the Creative Process. Then, it's off to the lab to complete the following tasks:

Please read and take notes in your journal:

1. Five Top Tips for New Authors by Mindy Gibbins-Klein. We're going to spend a lot of time reading what various authors, publishers, and editors say about writing. That's part of our curriculum, so read that article, answer: what are the 5 tips this author gives you, and write these tips in your journal. 

2. What can you do with a writing degree?

You are living at an exciting time in writing history. Almost anyone can publish a book now-a-days, but being a writer may not be as glorious and profitable as you might think. While many people write for a living, very few make it to the big leagues of blockbuster bestselling novelists, just like not every rapper or basketball player becomes a pro. But don't stress out yet. The skill of writing is an important one and many businesses are looking for people who can write.

According to the writers at QuinStreet, Inc., from their website WorldWideLearn, "Many different businesses and organizations are using newsletters and Internet websites more, and the advertising and public relations fields are also providing a steady demand for new writing professionals...Almost 25% of jobs for writers and editors are salaried positions with newspapers, magazines, and book publishers. Substantial numbers, mostly technical writers, work for computer software firms. Some writers develop publications and technical materials for government agencies or write for motion picture companies." So there's a lot more out there than poet or novelist.

WRITING ACTIVITY:

With the popular and frequent use of Twitter (read about tweeting here)...writers have turned to a specialized type of short, short, short story called: HINT FICTION

What is it? 

Hint fiction is defined as a story of 25 words or fewer that suggests a larger, more complex story.

Where does it come from & What are some examples?

Click here and read the article, particularly the examples.

See? Short, short stories in 25 words or less. The perfect byte size fiction for tweeting.

• A famous example from Ernest Hemingway: hint fiction: "For Sale: Baby shoes--never worn." 
• From science fiction writer Damon Knight: "The last man on Earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door."
• And even poetry: from Margaret Atwood: "You fit into me like a hook into an eye. A fish-hook. An open eye."

How do I start?

Step by Step Instructions:

• 1. Read through the examples of hint fiction. It's always good to have a model. As you read, consider how you might write your own story. What might your story be about? How would it differ from the examples you are reading? Do you detect patterns forming in the work you're reading?
• 2. Brainstorm (perhaps in your journal) a story. Include a beginning, middle, end. For example: write a three sentence story where each sentence is either the beginning, middle, or end of a story. Do a series of these, then pick your favorite ones. Since they're short, try a few. Keep writing!
• 3. Just like a poem, create a creative title to clarify or make a point about theme or tone or character or setting.
• 4. Trim your story to the most essential parts. Remove all unnecessary words. This is tricky. Your story should be complete, but also hint at the larger story that does not need to be told. Be as specific with your diction as possible.
  5. Post your story on an index card. Put your name and title on the heading. Turn in at least one example of your hint fiction by the end of class today.

Robert Swartwood is the writer behind hint fiction. Take a look at his blog. We will be creating our own author's blogs soon, so his is a great example and model for your own project coming up.

CLASSWORK: Write 3-5 hint fiction stories. Review, examine, and read Robert Swartwood's blog to get the feel of these short pieces. Use them as models for your own writing, until you feel you can go it alone.

HOMEWORK: None. 

Inspiration and the Creative Process

Directions: Read the following instructions carefully. You may take notes in your journal. Complete the assignments during period 3. During period 4, please move to the next room and await further instructions.  Remember to turn in your previous homework if you didn't turn it in last class!

Inspiration is often defined as "the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions." As writers and artists, we know when we have inspiration, and we certainly know when we are lacking it! 

While all artists seek inspiration, the job of a writer is not only to gain enough inspiration to write, but to share his or her inspiration with others. This is often done through character, plot, setting, theme, various literary devices, dialogue, and the diction that communicates ideas.

Here is what some writers have said to inspire us to write: 

• "Any [person] who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he’ll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer." - Ray Bradbury
• "A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it to be God." - Sidney Sheldon
• "Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer." - Barbara Kingsolver
• "If you have other things in your life—family, friends, good productive day work—these can interact with your writing and the sum will be all the richer." - David Brin
• "Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of fifteen." - Willa Cather
• "Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good." - William Faulkner
• "Fiction is about stuff that’s screwed up." - Nancy Kress
• "Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up." - Jane Yolen

Inspiration is a gift as precious as gold. Sometimes you strike it rich, other times its absence makes you starve. As you move through this course, decide to find inspiration to try your best. Sometimes this will be easy. Sometimes this will be hard. If you ever feel like giving up, come back to this assignment and fill up your cup with inspiration.

How to Find Inspiration:

• Take a walk, get some fresh air or get out into nature when you are feeling stressed.
• Take a hot shower or bath. Find daily ways to relax.
• Get some sleep. Stress is more likely to occur when we are tired.
• Read a book. Watch a movie. Listen to a friend read a poem. The more we interact with the written word, the more inspiration we find to try it ourselves.
• Create a space for yourself where you can write.
• Enjoy silence. Sitting and breathing deeply in silence can help us relax.
• Interact with the arts: listen to music, dance, memorize a speech, doodle or paint, play a game.
• Find inspiration in the last place anyone might look for it: look for it in yourself!

Inspiration Resources Assignment:

For this assignment, please take a look at the website: Write Attitude. After taking a moment to watch the video, spend some time here now to do the following:

1. Find one inspirational quote that you like or that you can connect with.

• Write this quote as part of your assignment, and explain in a sentence or two why you chose it.
• Share the quote you chose with a neighbor and another student peer who you haven't talked to in a while. Write down the name of the persons you shared your quote with and write what those persons verbally said about the quote you chose.

2. Read and summarize one article from the drop down menu. Make sure to list the title and author of the article in your response.

After completing these two questions, submit them for class credit. After submitting your work, take a few minutes to consider this next question. IN YOUR JOURNAL/NOTEBOOK, please list, jot, or freewrite your answer to this question:

What inspires you to write?

When you have finished your list, keep it handy. The next time you need a reason to write or complete an assignment, refer to this journal entry. Good luck!

During period 4, we will go next door and read an article/handout and discuss the creative process.

HOMEWORK: Finish the article/summary if you didn't finish during class. If you are inspired, write a story, poem, scene, song lyric, article, ideas for writing in your journal. Try to write in your journal every day.