Literary Fiction; Focus on Hemingway; Hemingway Draft #1

Please go to the library and pick up Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemingway. Conduct some research and complete the notes on Hemingway in your physical journal.

Please consult this website and read about Hemingway. Watch the video (it's 4 minutes long), then read the article about Hemingway. After reading and taking notes, we'll do a quick "think-pair-share" exercise.

Now. A diversion concerning procrastination. Let's take a look together, slackers...

Hemingway Project Draft #1: Begin writing a narrative scene where you only provide the dialogue (i.e., you do not need to describe a lot of the setting, but indicate the setting through the dialogue of your characters).

Here are the rules:

• Your dialogue should be between at least two characters. You may have more than two characters in the scene if you wish--but you must keep track of each character you add. 
• To start, if you need help, think about WHERE your characters are (pick a specific setting), WHO (who is here in this setting--your "characters"), and WHAT (what are the characters physically doing--also often the conflict, plot, and theme). 
• The genre is completely up to you.
• Try to write at least a page (double-spaced) or as much as you can during our writing time in class. If you need a break, stop and read one of the short stories in the collection. Then go back to it.

Avoid unnecessary distractions!

Do not be the self-serving jerk who distracts others!

Then we'll read "A Clean, Well Lighted Place" (the second story in the collection) and discuss the author's style and use of stream of consciousness. 

Consider these key narrative concepts: (write notes in your physical journal...)

Stream of consciousness: a narrative device or technique a writer uses to develop character (characterization). The writer does this by presenting the THOUGHTS of a character as they would occur in the mind. It is similar to an internal monologue that a character has about his/her situation in the narrative of the story. The character is speaking to him/herself in stream of consciousness. This technique is unique to fiction or poetry. It is similar to the voice over (VO) in film or the soliloquy in plays. It is useful to:

• Provide characterization or develop character
• Explains the attitude or POV of the character's mind or thought process

Flashback: a narrative technique useful in plotting. Usually, stories are written in chronological time (i.e., a story is told from the beginning to the end of an event). A flashback, however, allows the writer to insert a scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point (present). Flashbacks are used to:

• Provide important background or story details
• Develop details about a character (characterization)
• It helps to develop setting
• It can be used to create suspense

HOMEWORK: Finish the first story in the collection: "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", "A Day's Wait", "The Gambler, The Nun, And the Radio" and "Fathers and Sons." As you read, consider how the stories reflect what you have learned about Hemingway from your research. We will take a quiz on these stories and discuss their use of flashback, stream-of-consciousness, and POV next class.

Also: many of you are very far behind in turning in work. Please use this weekend to get caught up. No excuses! Your grade, frankly, is at stake.

Student Blogs

Please send me your URL links folks! This was an assignment and worth credit for this course! (absences noted...)

Linden
Ariel
Giovanni
David
Simone
Andrew
Harrison
Pia
Sarah
Aryonna
Hannah

Blog Project: Day 1; Careers in Writing: Research

Please submit or turn in your homework (story drafts and questions, see previous blog post for details) today for class credit. You can find the assignment on our Google Classroom site.

BLOG PROJECT: Setting up your very own blog

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 weblog or web journal. 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 Author Blog
• Sample blog (writing tips)

To set up your blog:

1. Go to https://www.blogger.com or https://blogspot.com. Some students like to use WordPress.com instead. I suggest blogger because you already have an RCSD Google account. For help setting up your blog if this is foreign to you, you may use this link blogger or Google's blog site. Use your student Google email address when prompted.  

NOTE: If you have already started a personal blog as a side project, or because you have already been introduced to the idea, I don't want to stop you from using your blog. Use your original blog site, but I will be asking that you write things specifically on your blog for our class. If this bothers you, start a new blog. No big deal, either way.

2. You may take a quick tour to get information about the blog site you are going to use, if interested. Otherwise, create a new account.
3. You must enter an email account (Use your student email account please.) Your email account name will be your “username”--Write your password somewhere safe where you will remember it. You will need to keep track of this.

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. Again, 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.

Again, if you need help creating a blog, check out: How to Set Up a Blog on Blogger.

Once you have set up your blog and sent me the URL in the comment section of this blog post, please continue with the following assignments:

Blog Post #1. 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.

Blog Post #2. 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. 

Blog Post #3. Watch the linked videos below and listen for each author's advice or wisdom about writing as a profession. What did you learn about the writing field from watching the short videos? What advice do you think is most important for you? What questions might you have? Remember to mention which video you are referring to when writing about what you learned. [Hint: You might copy the URL of the video and hyperlink the title when you refer to it for your readers to enjoy...]

• What does a publisher do?
• How much will I make publishing a novel?
• Walter Mosely (novelist): What Do You Have to Sacrifice to be a Writer?
• Robert McKee (screenwriter): Bad Writers Have Nothing to Say
• Isabel Allende (novelist): Writing Process

Blog Post #4:  LAB WORK/RESEARCH: Complete in class or as homework if you do not complete this by the end of class today. Select 3 of the following occupations you might be interested in or are curious about. Use the internet to find out some information 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 answers on your blog. You might find it easier to take notes answering questions A-D in your physical journal, then synthesize or summarize the information you researched and write your blog post answering the questions in paragraph form. You'll need to discuss all three occupations you chose for full credit.

Finally, answer: of the 3 career choices, which one seems most interesting to you? What skills seem most important for this kind of job? Would you pursue this career as a profession? Why or why not?

Writing Careers: (choose 3 you want to know more about and research for your blog post #4): novelist, technical writer, journalist, reporter, copy editor, publisher, advertising/marketing, screenwriter/television writer, columnist, playwright, poet, lyricist (songwriter), ghostwriter, technical writer, instructional coordinator, secondary/post-secondary educator, press secretary, lawyer, communication manager, reviewer/critic, blogger, researcher, public relations, literary agent, freelance writer, travel writer, biographer, grant writer/business plan writer, media relations specialist, social media specialist, translator, comic book writer/graphic novelist, video game writer, speechwriter, comedian, historian, etc.

Blog entries will be graded as participation credit. Please complete them today. The fourth post (see below) is due by our next class.

HOMEWORK: If you did not complete any of these parts (or did not finish writing your blog posts in class today) do so by the beginning of next class. Make sure you have completed Blog Post #4 by the beginning of next class!

Also, remember to send me the URL of your newly created blog in the COMMENT section below!

Writing; Black Lives Matter

3rd Period:

Use period 3 to write your drafts.

Required Short Story Draft (due today--if you are done, or Tuesday, Feb. 26 if you are not.)
Required "Be My Sherpa-Style Love Poem Draft" (due today, if you have it, otherwise complete and turn in by Tuesday, Feb. 26)
Required: Black Lives Matter (What It Means to Be Black - Black History Poets/Short Stories packet) Please read and complete the circled questions for credit, either for today during 3rd period (turn in if finished) or due Tuesday, Feb. 26! Also, please read "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" for next week. No written work for this assignment--just read and enjoy the story.

#1: Your main character is home alone, just like most nights. This time, however, a new neighbor pays them a visit. What happens next? Why is the neighbor visiting? Who is this neighbor? What might the neighbor ask or need from the protagonist? Tell the story.
#2: Your character finds an intricate envelope on the ground; an invitation. What is the invitation to? Was the letter intended for the person who found it? What happens after the letter is delivered? Does the protagonist throw the letter away or does he/she honor the invitation? What happens next? Write.
#3: While on a hike with a friend or relative, your main character discovers something hidden or buried. Whatever it is they found, that thing will change your character forever. Tell the story of how life changes or how the character changes because of this discovery. You may wish to use flashbacks or a frame to structure your story.

#2: Read Andrew Varnon's poem: "Be My Sherpa", Then, write your own love (or anti-love) poem as your post assignment on your blog.

#3: Read the short story "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World."

#4: Read the Black History packet and complete the circled questions/assignments. (Due Friday, if you did your homework from last class, or Tuesday, Feb. 26 if you didn't).

Period 4: Mosaics. Join us in the Main Stage Theater for a Black Lives Matter Assembly. Your sub will bring you down to attend.

HOMEWORK: If you did not complete your poem draft ("Be My Sherpa"), short story draft from one of the 3 prompts (see above or last two classes for details), or the reading/assignments in the Black Lives Matter packet (handout from last class, copies available by the door); and read "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. If you don't get the story, look here for help.

Have a nice February Break!

Classic Short Stories: Day 2; Love Poem Draft Exercise

Please turn in your homework graphic organizer for the short stories "To Build a Fire" and "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge."

Today, we will complete our reading of the short stories "The Necklace", "The Chaser", & "The Gift of the Magi" from our previous class story packet. Please take out these stories.

As we read, take notes in your journal.

8-point story arc:

1. Status (status quo) (exposition)
2. Trigger (inciting incident)
3. Quest (rising action)
4. Surprise (turning point)
5. Critical choice (major decision)
6. Climax 
7. Reversal (resolution/change)
8. Resolution (return to status quo)

Tips Writing Short Stories
How to Get Short Story Ideas:  character type + complicate type with unexpected detail; stories are about change; add a setting; examine a relationship...play with form.

Return to your draft. Use these tips to help you write your draft.

#1: Your main character is home alone, just like most nights. This time, however, a new neighbor pays them a visit. What happens next? Why is the neighbor visiting? Who is this neighbor? What might the neighbor ask or need from the protagonist? Tell the story.
#2: Your character finds an intricate envelope on the ground; an invitation. What is the invitation to? Was the letter intended for the person who found it? What happens after the letter is delivered? Does the protagonist throw the letter away or does he/she honor the invitation? What happens next? Write.
#3: While on a hike with a friend or relative, your main character discovers something hidden or buried. Whatever it is they found, that thing will change your character forever. Tell the story of how life changes or how the character changes because of this discovery. You may wish to use flashbacks or a frame to structure your story.

Poetry Prompt Interlude: Please read Andrew Varnon's poem: "Be My Sherpa", Then, write your own love (or anti-love) poem as your post assignment on your blog.

You might find it helpful for your brainstorming to:

• List objects, ideas, associative words on a page
• Find random words in a dictionary or thesaurus and write them down (the more random the better)
• Find a random article from the internet and select a variety of words and include them on your list
• Listen to snippets of conversation and select random words from what you hear and write them down

Then use a stem prompt like:

• Be my...
• I love you like...
• You're my...
• You're not my...
• Don't be my...

Then, we'll read the short story "A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings" (and/or "The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World."). 

HOMEWORK: Read the Black History packet and complete the circled questions/assignments. (Due Friday); Complete your love poem draft; complete your short story draft from the prompt above. All due either Friday (if you'd like no homework over break) or, for the story and poem drafts--Tuesday after the break. 

Missing/Late Work Catch Up; Short Stories

Period 3: (until 10:45)

Please complete your brochure projects (if you didn't finish them last class) and print out a copy of your work. Make sure your names are on the cover of the brochure. Do NOT staple your copies, please!

If you did not complete your homework from our last class, please do so during period 3! Some of you should also finish your 4 poem drafts that were due last week. Please try to complete drafts by deadlines!

If you have completed all your work, please choose one of the following prompts and write a story (this is homework for Friday, see below):

#1: Your main character is home alone, just like most nights. This time, however, a new neighbor pays them a visit. What happens next? Why is the neighbor visiting? Who is this neighbor? What might the neighbor ask or need from the protagonist? Tell the story.
#2: Your character finds an intricate envelope on the ground; an invitation. What is the invitation to? Was the letter intended for the person who found it? What happens after the letter is delivered? Does the protagonist throw the letter away or does he/she honor the invitation? What happens next? Write.
#3: While on a hike with a friend or relative, your main character discovers something hidden or buried. Whatever it is they found, that thing will change your character forever. Tell the story of how life changes or how the character changes because of this discovery. You may wish to use flashbacks or a frame to structure your story.

Period 4:

Shmoop:

• Short Stories
• How to Read Short Stories

Let's try. Take notes in your journal on the following as we read short stories today:

• What moments/passages/scenes/characters/settings/conflicts/ideas seem most important in the story?
• What characters/scenes/moments in the story did we love or hate? Why? What questions do you have about the story, the setting, plot, structure, theme, etc.?
• Analyze characters, plot, theme, setting, conflict, style, POV, 
• Who is the protagonist? Antagonist? Foil? Minor characters?
• What is the time and place of the story?
• What kind of language, syntax, structure does the story have? Why do you think the author wrote the story this way? What is gained (lost) by the choices made by the author?
• From whose point of view (POV) is the story told? Why?
• What are the big themes or messages in the story? What do we learn about human life?

The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

The Chaser by John Collier

The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry

HOMEWORK: Complete any story we did not complete during class. Please read the short stories "To Build a Fire" by Jack London and "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce. Complete the graphic organizers for each short story. Finally, choose one of the 3 prompts from above and write a draft of a story for Friday, Feb. 15. Bring your draft with you to our next class.

Genre Survey Results

After our foray into literary fiction, we will continue our examination of genre and markets for the following categories:

1. Mysteries/Suspense
2. Horror
3. Comedy/Humor
4. Fantasy
5. Science Fiction
6. General Fiction (realistic fiction)
7. Poetry
8. New Journalism
9. Historical Fiction
10. Romance
11. Westerns
12. Autobiography/Memoir

The further down the list, the more likely we will only touch briefly on these subjects/genres, if we get to them at all this year. As we examine these genres, we will discuss the publishing market, how to write query letters, research and examine places to publish, tips on getting agents, as well as the tropes and techniques used to create effective/publishable fiction and sell your work on the market.

Genre Brochure Project

Classroom Project: Genre Brochure

• Find a partner or work alone. Together, agree upon and choose one of the writing markets (choose one bolded category--use your article "The Genre Wars" to help you create the material for your brochure--the material or answers for your brochure can be found in that handout!):
• 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: bootstrap, political, family, celebrity, travel, survival, extraordinary lives, confession/conversion, spiritual memoir, writer's memoir, new journalism
• Humor/Comedy/Satire: any of the above; humor often parodies other writing styles or genres; jokes, memoir, non-fiction, etc. are popular forms.
• Children's/Young Adult: any of the above, usually with more fantasy or realist elements 
• New Journalism: memoirs, science, travel, history, writing about writing, creative non-fiction, etc.
• Choose one of the genres in bold above--check the subcategories so that you know what you're getting into--more details can be found in the article you should have read as homework... (The Genre Wars)
• Together, you will be expected to create a brochure for your chosen genre to promote the genre to a fantasist, realist, or pragmatist reader (see last class's post for details!)
• Take a look at the questions bulleted below. You will want to be able to answer these questions in your brochure.
• In a Microsoft Word Doc, from the FILE menu, please select New From Template.
• Choose BROCHURE as a template. Select the one you like. Create only a 6-panel brochure (not an 8-panel one or half page). TIP: if you write 3 panels, your partner can write the other 3 panels...
• Create a brochure about your chosen genre by following the steps below. Be creative. Play around with the design and how you present the information in a clear and creative way. Avoid white space and consider what looks good from a design standpoint. 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.

As a general guideline:

Page 1: Panel 1 (most left = inside flap); Panel 2 (center = back panel of brochure); Panel 3 (title. Please include your name(s))
Page 2: Panel 1 (inside flap); Panel 2 (inside center); Panel 3 (other flap)

Panel 3 (page 1): Title & Name with picture representing your genre.
Panel 2 (page 1): List of resources, citations, or where a reader can find more information if interested.
Panels 1 (page 1) & Panel 3, (page 2): Lists of various sub genres; examples of the style or popular books/films/authors, etc. that fit the genre
Panels: 2 & 3 (page 2): expectations of a reader; samples of work/examples of the form; identification of the target reader; a more detailed explanation as to what the genre is...

See my model as an example.

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!

Finally, before you leave today, please complete your brochure design. If you finish early (before the end of class) work on your homework please.

HOMEWORK: Read "The Tell Tale Heart" and answer the circled questions. Write a passage/story using mood/tone (mood or tone can be horror or some other emotion like comedy/humor or mystery, etc.). See circled questions in the handout you received in class today. ?'s are due next class (Monday). 

Genre Brochure Project; Audience Types

Please submit your 4 poem drafts in one file to our Google Classroom this morning (see previous homework & blog posts for details...)

The Creative Process: Six Steps of Art/or Becoming an Artist from Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics - Conclusion

1. Idea/Purpose
2. Form
3. Idiom
4. Structure
5. Craft
6. Surface

In your journal, reflect which stage(s) do you seem to identify with most?

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.

The first thing we should consider as writers is our reader. If we don't please our reader, we won't be able to sell a book. If we can't sell a book, we aren't going to be very successful writers, etc. It's a vicious circle. But before we continue, it's a really good idea to remember this golden rule of writing.

If you don't please your audience, you don't succeed.

So let's chat a bit about our potential audiences:

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. The more you like a specific author's style and writing, the more likely you will continue to buy books by this author.

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: bootstrap, 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 
• New Journalism: memoirs, science, travel, history, writing about writing, creative non-fiction, etc.

Classroom Project: Genre Brochure

• Find a partner. Together, agree upon and sign up for one of the writing markets.
• Choose one of the genres in bold above--check the subcategories so that you know what you're getting into--more details can be found in the article you should have read as homework...
• Together, you will be expected to create a brochure for your chosen genre to promote the genre to a fantasist, realist, or pragmatist reader.
• Take a look at the questions bulleted below. You will want to be able to answer these questions in your brochure.
• In a Microsoft Word Doc, from the FILE menu, please select New From Template.
• Choose BROCHURE as a template. Select the one you like. Create only a 6-panel brochure (not an 8-panel one or half page). TIP: if you write 3 panels, your partner can write the other 3 panels...
• Create a brochure about your chosen genre by following the steps below. Be creative. Play around with the 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.

As a general guideline:

Page 1: Panel 1 (most left = inside flap); Panel 2 (center = back panel of brochure); Panel 3 (title. Please include your name(s))
Page 2: Panel 1 (inside flap); Panel 2 (inside center); Panel 3 (other flap)

See my model as an example.

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: Make sure you have taken the short genre survey.