Writing Practice; Audience & Types of Readers; Marigolds; Blogs; Brochures

Video: Maya Angelou on Finding My Voice (2 min.) and for you later when you need it: Maya Angelou's Top Ten Rules for Success (20 min.)
Writing Practice: Style & Structure (Natalie Goldberg)
Short Story "Marigolds" (Group & Silent Reading); note the author's use of "memory"--"I remember..." in the story. Note as well, that each sentence builds on the one previous. As we read, begin to apply what we're learning to what we're reading.

AUDIENCE

There are 3 general types of readers that a writer should be aware of:

• Fantasists: readers who read to escape the tediousness of ordinary life, seeking new frontiers and imaginative fiction
• Realists: readers who read about contemporary life to learn about or reinforce personal experiences
• Pragmatists: readers who read for a specific purpose--from cooking to learning history or science

Most of us favor one or two of these styles when we read. Our tastes can change depending on our life experience and maturity. Well read and well rounded readers enjoy all types of reading styles at some point in their life.

Readers also become loyal to writers. Publishers count on this to occur. Remember above all, writing is a business. Books are published, not only because they're good for you, are beautifully written, or introduce you to human characters, events, and culture, but also because they sell. Publishers count on readers to consume books. It's all about the $, and less about the art. But it is also an art.

In today's writing market there are a variety of genres that writers tend to write. Knowing what readers expect from these genres will help you as a writer give your audience what it wants. So let's learn about these audiences and what they expect!

• General fiction: chick lit, domestic drama, sports, vampire lit, LGBT, humor, war, urban/black or minority literature, literary (melange)
• Historical fiction: romance, detective thriller, adventure, family saga, drama, multi-volume, African-American/urban
• Romance: paranormal, historical, regency, horror/gothic, LGBT, inspirational, contemporary, African-American/urban
• Mysteries and Thrillers: detectives, cozy, Christian, noir, forensic, police procedural, courtroom/legal, LGBT, historical, thriller, ghost story/paranormal, horror, spy, action
• Science Fiction: soft, hard, apocalypse, cyberpunk, feminist, comic/humor, first contact, colonization, military, time travel, steampunk, space opera, dystopian, speculative
• Fantasy: heroic, Arthurian, dark, urban, alternate history, RPG, high, science fantasy, speculative, magical-realism, fable
• Autobiography & Memoir: boot strap, political, family, celebrity, travel, survival, extraordinary lives, confession/conversion, spiritual memoir, writer's memoir, new journalism
• Literary Fiction: any of the above, but with better writing quality, skill, and attention to craft 
• Children's/Young Adult: any of the above, usually with more fantasy or realist elements 

LAB: In the lab set up your Blog and write the following post(s):

A. An introduction to your website. Your first blog entry should 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 entry (non-fiction, fiction, or poetry) about something you feel passionate about. You may use the writing prompt this morning as a starting point for your work. Use what we read in class as a model. Remember. Describe your memories. Visualize the situation. Write. 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. 

C: On your newly created blog, personally respond to the linked articles/videos above. Which of the top ten writing rules makes the most sense to you? Which ones do you practice? Which ones do you need more work on? Reflect on your own writing in your blog post. Let your audience know that you take writing seriously (i.e., you think about it).

All blog post entries (3) are due by Monday. Use the handout, freewriting, etc. to write posts on your newly created blog. Next class we'll be picking up a book, so get ready for that inevitability.

LAB TASK #2: Classroom Project: Genre Brochure

• Choose one of the genres in bold--check the subcategories so that you know what you're getting into:
• General fiction: chick lit, domestic drama, sports, vampire lit, LGBT, humor, war, urban/black or minority literature, literary (melange)
• Historical fiction: romance, detective thriller, adventure, family saga, drama, multi-volume, African-American/urban
• Romance: paranormal, historical, regency, horror/gothic, LGBT, inspirational, contemporary, African-American/urban
• Mysteries and Thrillers: detectives, cozy, Christian, noir, forensic, police procedural, courtroom/legal, LGBT, historical, thriller, ghost story/paranormal, horror, spy, action
• Science Fiction: soft, hard, apocalypse, cyberpunk, feminist, comic/humor, first contact, colonization, military, time travel, steampunk, space opera, dystopian, speculative
• Fantasy: heroic, Arthurian, dark, urban, alternate history, RPG, high, science fantasy, speculative, magical-realism, fable
• Autobiography & Memoir: boot strap, political, family, celebrity, travel, survival, extraordinary lives, confession/conversion, spiritual memoir, writer's memoir, new journalism
• Literary Fiction: any of the above, but with better writing quality, skill, and attention to craft 
• Children's/Young Adult: any of the above, usually with more fantasy or realist elements 
• Have you chosen a genre? If so, continue on. If not, stop. Go back and choose.
• You will be expected to create a brochure for your chosen genre.
• Take a look at the questions bulleted below. You will want to be able to answer these questions in your brochure.
• In Microsoft Word, from the FILE menu, please select New From Template.
• Choose BROCHURE as a template. Select one you like. Create only a 6 panel brochure (not an 8 panel one or half page). 
• Create a brochure about your chosen genre by following the steps below. Be creative. Play around with design and how you present the information in a clear and creative way. You may use graphics and lists to provide answers to these questions:

1. Describe this genre. What is it?
2. Who is the target reader (a fantasist, a realist, a pragmatist, or what combination?)
3. What are some expectations a reader of this genre might expect?
4. What are some categories of this genre? AND what are the expectations a reader might expect from this genre?
5. Examples of some popular or famous books or films that fit this genre; and/or examples of authors who write in this type of genre.

NOTE: Brochures should not have too much text--they should use graphics and pictures to get information across. Big concepts (like subgenres) can be listed, as opposed to painstakingly explained. Write your notes in your journal (double dipping!) and organize your notes to select only the most important information about your chosen genre in the brochure! More tips on the way. The brochure project is not due yet.

Finally, before you leave today, please complete the short survey regarding genre units for this course.

HOMEWORK: If you did not complete your 3 blog posts, please do so. If you did not SEND ME THE LINK TO YOUR BLOG, please do so in the comment section below!