Published Pieces and Edits

Three pieces published this week at The Pearson Buzz: Beatrice's "The Newly-Rich Mushroom"; Makassia's "Lies that Can't be Proven"; Frank's "Not the Biggest Rain Ever."

Edits showing my changes (in Word format):

Beatrice's "The Newly-Rich Mushroom"; Makassia's "Lies that Can't be Proven"; Frank's "Not the Biggest Rain Ever."

To Me, Writing is . . .

Begin this way:

To me, writing is . . .

Use some kind of metaphor to explain yourself.

A Favorite Tree (Patchwork Farm Writing Retreat Prompt)

"Think of a favorite tree, living or gone. Begin writing with a close description of the tree, even if you have to make up the details. Let something happen around the tree." (like a mini story)

In addition, include at least one synechdoche to your writing. To practice further with Zeugma, try to include one type you did not use in last week's piece. Have fun!

Eve's Story, "Outdoor Cat" EDITED

As you know, one student (who wins the lucky draw!) receives a full edit each week. Eve submitted her story, all 1627 words! View my comments, suggestions and corrections here: "Outdoor Cat-edited" BTW, once your name is drawn, it is removed so others have a better chance.

The Zeugma Challenge (Just for Fun)

Try writing a funny story that uses three or more different examples of zeugma. Successful pieces can be published in our "Just for Fun" section at The Pearson Buzz!

The Best Least Favorite Food

Make a list of your favorite foods; now list your least favorite foods. Write beginning with something from the second list as though it were the best food in the world.

Dialogue: Person and an Object

Write a dialogue between a person and an object. We all, sometimes, talk to things (not only people). One example is when a person talks to his or her car, but there are many others . . . Have fun!

A Rainy Day Story (Choose a Suitable Design)

Working from today's handout write a rainy day story. Use all the techniques you know: simile, dialogue, characterization . . . Also, try to do at least one amplification based on the Greek Technique we did in class today. Link to information on amplification.

Things I Cannot Do (Live) Without

Fiction or fact. Have fun writing this one!

New Pieces for The Pearson Buzz

The Pearson Buzz includes a number of different categories for new writing. Choose something you haven't worked on before and put your new piece here when it is ready for us to see.

Most Recent Drafts (any pieces)

Post your most recent drafts here. You may include any piece of writing you have worked on during Writing 12. I encourage you to revisit work from earlier in the term now that you've had a chance to let it "rest" awhile.

Finally, the Final Draft (for publication)

Post your pieces here when they, in your opinion, are ready for publication at The Pearson Buzz.

If your work is published, I will notify you by email! The Cubic Life by Beatrice is published today (March 21).

Edited pieces by Marc and Esther. Esther's piece will be published in this week's Buzz. Marc's needs further work.

Note that I've also put links to your profiles on The Pearson Buzz "Staff Profiles" link. I note that some of you have spelling and capitalization errors on your profiles. You may wish to check and correct these errors as the world can see them now!

"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

In the movie, "Network," a TV personality asks everyone to go to their windows and shout out, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Here's the link to the scene.

What makes you angry? Write a "rant," a kind of angry prose, about something that angers you. Make it colourful. Show, don't tell. Let your feelings out!

For an article on a subversive (New York Times use of the word) video from Chinese videographers: A Dirty Pun Tweaks China’s Online Censors

Online Journal: Crow, Elbow, Wall, Secret

Use the words--crow, elbow, wall, secret--in a short piece of writing. See you in two weeks!

Third Drafts, Final Drafts, New Drafts?

Post your work here as you make it ready for publication. After your article, please comment on anything that you wish us to comment on or make suggestions about. Also, tell us whether you believe your work is ready for a final edit and, ultimately, publication.

Other students should read drafts and then try to add a helpful idea. Post your comment here before next week's class. I'll demonstrate once someone posts a draft.

Sorry for the delay.

Pieces for Publication: Second Draft (or new first drafts)

Based on feedback from today, post a second draft of your piece. If you haven't yet done a first draft, please put it here as well.

Our Home Town

Put your draft here. Write 300 to 500 words (maximum). Remember to show the special and different things about the place. Use your imagination and the senses as much as you can!

First Drafts: Pieces for Publication

Based on our discussions today, write a first draft of an article to be published eventually at The Pearson Buzz. Post your article here. Article word count should be no more than 500 words in multiple paragraphs. 

Remember that an online article needs a strong opening. You can leave your main idea to the second or third paragraph (called the "nut graf"). Concentrate on attractive prose to draw the reader in!

Phrasal Verbs: Writing a Dialogue

Using four or five different phrasal verbs, write a dialogue between two people. Make it sound as natural as you can. Use the BBC sample given in class as a model. 

Pitch Your Ideas!

Take a look at our online newspaper, The Pearson Buzz, and read some of the stories in the various "Features" categories (see the left side navigation). After you do, come back here and "pitch" (suggest) a story idea that might interest our student readers. State which category would work or suggest a new one if you wish.

BTW, I checked our most recent articles stats and found readers from Vancouver, New Westminster and Coquitlam. We also have regular readers from Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), West Hollywood, Phnom Phen (Cambodia) and Torino (Italy) among many other cities.

Let's make this year's edition the best ever!

Online Notebook: Random Image or Word

This week, go to a favourite magazine (or check one at the supermarket cashier or friend's house) and open it at a random page. The first word or image you notice will form the original idea for your piece. Write no more than 200 words in multiple paragraphs.

Using Paired Idioms

Create a short piece of writing where you use two to three idiom pairs. Try to make their use as natural as possible. Often, such pairs are used during conversation (dialogue) for example. 

The Quietest Thing: Online Notebook for February 5 to 12

What is the quietest thing you heard this week? Note what created the sound, use metaphor or simile if you can. Do not write from memory; instead, use a direct observation of something you notice during the week before next week's class.

Shh!

I used to be _____, but now I am ________

Either write from the first person (as yourself) or from the point of view of a character (either in first person or third person).

Online Journal for January 22 to February 5

Try to make two entries between now and our next class. One entry will be on something that bothers you; another entry will be on something you love. Have a safe "semester break" and see you all in class on the 5th of February. We'll be welcoming new students so it should be fun . . .

Lisa and Eric Fall in Love ("Let Me Hug You Again")

If you like, practice showing by creating a scene where it becomes clear that Lisa and Eric have feelings for each other. How would you show it to us (without telling us too much)?

Why I Write: Short Essay

Put your short essay here. Try to have a first draft here before our first class in the new semester (February 5) so we can see it then.

Online Notebook for January 15 to 22

This week note your observations while shopping. It can be any kind--for food, for clothes, for electronics. Describe one of the shopkeepers and one of the shoppers. If something bothers you when shopping, note that too.

Short Stories (New or Edited)

Some of you have begun to work on stories (new from Mia and Beatrice plans a new story, too). Others have had enough time to "forget" the story and read it with new eyes.


Be sure to read the handout "Don't Be Too Eager to Publish" before you begin work. After you post your story, I will place them on Writeboard.com for you to work on further.

Online Notebook for January 8 to 15

Write about regular activities that take place inside your home. Use the senses in your writing.

Writing about a "First"

Write about a first. It can be about anything you have done (but must be about the first time). A first kiss, a first car, a first date . . .

The Story of My Scar

Tell the story of how you got a scar on your body.

A "Seasonal" Online Notebook

Base your observations on seasonal events around Vancouver or wherever you live. No strict deadlines. Our next class will be on January 8, 2009, so try to make one comment before that date.

Using Your Nose

Write a memory piece where you mention at least three different smells. Include one other person (character) in the piece. The writing may come from your life, but feel free to fictionalize if you wish. Length of 150 to 200 words or so in as many paragraphs as needed. Follow all the rules of writing you've learned so far. The "nose" knows!

Online Notebook for December 4 to 11

Use the words, "bird," "regret," "mud," and "sliver" in your writing this week. Feel free to use adjectives sparingly! If you can use all the words and still make sense that would be best. Have fun and see you next week!

Introductions to Essays Selected for Publication

Please post the introductions to the essays that your group selected for publication in the Pearson Buzz. Introductions should be no more than 50 to 75 words and should give reasons for the essay's selection for publication.

Online Notebook for November 28 to December 4

This week, please comment only on weather. Write about anything that comes to mind, but please remember to consider the five senses when observing the world of weather around you!

100 Word Place Description with NO Adjectives

Following Keith Grey's ideas, write a 100 word (strict limit, please) description of a place that uses NO adjectives of any kind. Use metaphors as Grey suggests and a have a character interacting with the environment. Good luck!

Online Notebook for November 20 to 27

This week, concentrate on describing someone using a metaphor (or simile). Make your description 50 words or fewer. Remember fresh metaphor is best!

The Caption Contest

Just for fun, we'll try writing a caption to match this week's Caption Contest from The New Yorker magazine. Be sure to check the links provided in the article on how to win for more ideas and information on writing the best caption. Have fun! Enter your caption as a comment to this post, but, if you are brave, register at The New Yorker and submit it by Sunday night for a chance to win!

Here are the three winning entries:

	"I am useless until I have my morning turkey." Submitted by Corey Lowney Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
	"I was actually hoping for a boy." Submitted by Antonia Boyette Los Angeles, Calif.
	"I miss the cash bonuses." Submitted by Robert Becker Northford, Conn.

Article: "How to Win The New Yorker Caption Contest"

Online Notebook for November 13-20

Make this week a description of something seen or heard or felt or smelled or tasted that is part of the natural world. See you next Thursday!

In the Beginning: A Dilemma

Take your character from last week's exercise (or use a new character if you wish) and give them a dilemma (a problem). Connect it to the character's ambition or secret. Write about the same number of words, but concentrate on conflict and making a beginning to a story.

In Keith Grey's words: "Decide how you are going to start your story. Can you think of an opening scene that will help you explain the Dilemma to your reader?" Link to podcast if you'd like to view it again.

Discovering a Story through a Character

Fiction writer Ali Smith uses this exercise to help her find a story:

"Think of a person you've noticed, but don't know—a drugstore clerk, a bus driver, a politician, a celebrity. Using the first-person, write a two page scene [200 to 300 words is plenty] that describes a moment in the life that you imagine for that person. What is he/she thinking about? What matters to him/her? What doesn't? How does his/her mind work?"

Also, use the information from Keith Gray's, Episode 2: Characters, to help you make this character as realistic as possible.

Online Notebook for November 6-13

Continue making observations for the notebook. This week, try something different: comment on a TV show you watched, a book you are reading, a newspaper article you liked/disliked. Keep it short. Last week's were fun and interesting. Try to make at least one post here this week.

An Online "Notebook"

As Keith Gray says, "Good writers are good observers." This week, pay attention to your surroundings (see the handout for more ideas) and put your short observations here for all of us to share. You don't need to write anything long or complicated. Just tell us what you saw or read or overheard. Have fun!

Here's a link to Keith Gray's short video on Ideas and Inspiration. You can also find the information sheet here in word format if you missed Thursday's class.

Short Stories at Writeboard.com (for editing)

Here's a place where you can continue to work on the story (and soon, where everyone can make suggestions and changes to it). 

NEW: I've made changes to all the stories (first three to four paragraphs) and inserted comments inside your text (in italics) and a comment at the end as well. We'll look at how to use Writeboard.com in class this week. 

Struggling to Survive by Esther

Perfect Man by Makassia

Making Notes by Snow

A Good Beginning by Hongxin Guo

The Anniversary by Beatrice

Fish Tank Story by Sonya

Unsung Heroes by Marc

NEW: A Woman's Story by Catherine

A Short Story (1000 to 1500 words)

Now's the time to begin work on something BIG! Don't worry if it is not perfect. Follow Snow's advice and get the story started; perhaps start with an interesting character in some difficult situation. Like Catherine said, look to life for ideas.

Try to have something here before next class. I will too!

14 Tips for Writing the Short Short Story (some pretty good advice; scroll down to read)

Anton Chekhov's Short Stories (often very short so are good models to follow)

Short Stories: 10 Tips for Novice Creative Writers

Revised Work in Progress

We've come a long way (and have a long way to go!), but I am sure that you all know more about what makes good writing already. Use this post to give us samples of work you've revised. Take it from anything we've done so far.

After your revision, provide us with some idea of what you changed, and why. Perhaps get rid of those "cursed" topic sentences or add descriptive details or remove the "telling" parts and replace them with showing?

See you on October 30!

Your Backyard Adventures

Write about 200 to 400 words about your backyard or outdoor adventures as a child. Write in the 3rd person (he or she, not I).

Use what you know about good storytelling in your work. Make sure your settings are interesting and, perhaps, try using parts of the 8 point "arc" to tell a better story.

Writing about Lunch in a Public Setting

Write about 200 words about having lunch in a public setting. Begin by establishing the setting (and avoid the dreaded "curse" of the topic sentence). Include some dialogue and try to be humourous if you can. Remember to "name names" by identifying real world objects: think of Connie's "Lock Lock" cup. Mentioning a specific cup is better than just an ordinary cup.

Have fun!

Student Samples of Published Authors' Indirect Characterization

Here's where you can put in short (no more than 100 words, please) examples of favourite indirect characterization by an author you have read. Choose a segment that has pleasing sentence structures, outstanding description etc. Please also give a short (up to 25 words) reason for submitting it to us and identify the author's full name and the full title, also.

The Jealous Character

Put your 75-word indirect character description for "The Jealous Character" here.

The Naive Character

Put your 75-word indirect character descriptions here for "The Naive Character."

Imitating the Great Writers (London or Shields)

Put your own setting example here that imitates the style and structure of the two examples given to you in class today. Try to write as close an imitation as you can. Describe any setting you wish in any way that works! Please complete before next class so we can admire your work . . .

Student Samples of Published Authors' Settings

Here's where you can put in short (no more than 50 words, please) examples of favourite setting writing by an author you have read. Choose a segment that has pleasing sentence structures, outstanding description etc. Please also give a short (up to 25 words) reason for submitting it to us and identify the author's full name and the full title, also.

Welcome Writers!

Here are some words from bestselling author of The Shawshank Redemption, Stephen King, to get us started:

"I'm not asking you to come reverently or unquestioningly; I'm not asking you to be politically correct or cast aside your sense of humor (please God have one). This isn't a popularity contest, it's not the moral Olympics, and it's not church. But it's writing, damn it, not washing the car or putting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can do business. If you can't or won't, it's time for you to close the book and do something else. Wash the car, maybe."—Stephen King in his book, On Writing.

A Disgusting Setting

Here's your first opportunity to share your writing. Write a short (50 to 100 words maximum) setting that evokes a feeling of disgust. Leave out any characters for now. Also, do not use the word "disgust" or any synonym in your piece. Have fun!

Essays on What I Learned in Writing 12

Post them here for the other students to see if you wish.

Advice to Parents

What advice would you give to parents about disciplining their children? Write a short piece of approximately 300 words. Due before next class on Thursday, May 29th.

Link to Suzanne's piece at Writeboard.

That's Interesting!

Write a short piece for the category "That's Interesting." Choose an interesting person or event in your life to write about. Please do not write about the place you visited and wrote about in last week's travel journal! Also, avoid writing about any cultural event that you wrote about in a previous assignment for this course.

Travel Journal

Write a short article (300 to 500 words) about a place that you have visited as a traveller. As we read in Martin Li’s article, “Remember that most places you write about will already have been written about before. Your challenge is to find something new and original to say.”

Brad's Writeboard Edits

In the interest of saving some time, I have edited a few pieces to get them ready for The Pearson Buzz: The Beneficial Course: Civics Studies 11; Biology 12: Understanding the Human Body; All You Want to Know about Writing 12; Accounting 11: A Practical Choice ; My Teacher Louise

Check them to see what I've changed. Published at The Pearson Buzz: My Teacher Louise; The Beneficial Course: Civics Studies 11; Pyramid of Society.

Introductions to English 11 and 12 Pieces

Write a brief, 75 to 100-word, introduction to the piece. Make us want to read it and make clear why we chose it. Enjoy your time with Renuka and work hard. Thanks! Work on these this week as she would be pleased to see them and help you with your composition. Have them finished for sure by May 17th so I can publish on Victoria Day weekend. Yes, I will share some pictures with you on my return.

Ruth: Victoria's piece, Friendly Canada
Natalia: Catalina's, Halloween Every Day and Josephine's two pieces and Beatrice's, Maybe He Was Right (anyone want to volunteer to help Natalia?; let her know)
Suzanne: Andrew's, Pyramid of Society
Masaru: Teresa's Do I Need to . . .
Hongxin: Mavis's piece, Keeping Speed or Braking
Ben: Aileen's piece, Lack of Respect for Cashiers

Orphans that anyone can volunteer to do:

Renee's piece Always Waiting
Lola's piece Thorn in the Butt

Links to English 11 and 12 Articles

Use the links to read their articles. They have a deadline of Tuesday April 29 at 6:00 p.m. If you can comment on the articles you like the best and explain why before my classes on Wednesday, April 30, the students would appreciate it very much!

NOTE: Natalia's piece, "How I Robbed My Landlords" is published at The Pearson Buzz. Sorry, I didn't post earlier as I note you've done another revision. We can discuss in class tomorrow.

English 11 Rants
English 11 Cultural Differences

English 12 Rants
English 12 Cultural Differences

Top Ten Tips

Put your Top Ten Tips here, please.

Course Descriptions for Editing at Writeboard

Masaru's piece: All You Wanted to Know about "Writing 12"
Natalia's piece: Accounting 11
Suzanne's piece: The Beneficial Course: Civic 11
Ben's piece: Entrepreneurship
Hongxin's piece: DFT 12
Ruth's piece: Biology 12

Edits with Simile Added

Take any one of your previous pieces and see if you can improve it by adding a simile! Don't go overboard, however. A single simile is often enough!

NEW: Published today: Suzanne's piece on L and Masaru's piece on Brad.

Simile Simile Simile

Put your sample similes here. No need to do all ten unless you are as hardworking as a RAV line tunneler trying to get ready for the Olympics!

Teacher Profiles: Edits at Writeboard

For the teacher profiles you worked on this week, make the changes you suggest before next week's class. Be sure to identify yourself when you edit so we can see who made the changes. The password is writing12 for all writeboards. Please also check pieces you didn't have time for in class if you have ideas or edits to share.

NEW: Two articles published at pbuzz.net: An Upside Down World (Masaru) and St Barnabas Church (Natalia)

"My Teacher Louise"
A Young Teacher: Renuka
A Full Grown Prairie Soul Boy: Brad
A Wonderful Teacher: Cheryl
Teachers in PALC (L)

What Makes Us Laugh?

Post your stories and anecdotes here. Short pieces are fine. Suzanne's example about her granddaughter could be done in 100 to 150 words, for example, or expanded to include some other funny things said at other times.

Introducing a Course from a Student's Point of View

Put your drafts here before our next class on March 27. Have a great vacation everyone. There are some writeboards in below posts if you wish to do some editing work on existing pieces.

NOTE: Ben's piece, "How I Saved My Party" has been published at The Pearson Buzz
LINK: Writing a Book Review (sorry Masaru for not posting this earlier!)

Spring? Who Needs It!

Using the list of vocabulary we generated try writing about spring. One condition: write in a negative way about it! For example: "The red-breasted robins outside my window woke me up with their incessant chirping. Maybe I can find some bird poison at Home Depot!" or "The piles of cherry blossoms were slippery and made me fall and hurt my arm." Have fun!

NOTE: Natalia's piece, "An In-Between Time" has been published at The Pearson Buzz.

Teacher Profiles: Post Drafts Here

Link to Writeboard for editing suggestions. Same password as always.
Suzanne's piece on L, "Teachers in PALC"
Hongxin's piece "My Teacher Louise"
NEW: Ben's Piece "A Wonderful Teacher: Cheryl"

New Feature Articles

Please post here anything you are working on for The Pearson Buzz, either a new draft or a new article.

NOTE: Articles from Hongxin, Ruth, and Suzanne are published at The Pearson Buzz.

The Pearson Buzz: First Edition

Hi Everyone,

I have enough nearly completed articles to put together a first edition. If you have done edits for the articles from last week, please go to the Writeboard to do them before next week. Password is writing12. Even if not, please feel free to suggest edits.

Lessons I Have Learned (Masaru)

Between Two Cultures (Hongxin)

What a Day! (Max)

Customs and Traditions (Natalia)

My Experience about Cultural Difference (Ruth)

Introducing the PALC; Introducing The Pearson Buzz

Please put your two introductions together in one comment to this post. Remember to check and make suggestions for the piece of student writing you were given in class today. Bring it with you next week! See you on February 28th.

Articles for The Pearson Buzz

If you wish to contribute a new article (or post one from a previous exercise; for example, your writing on your home town) please post it here before next week's class.

We'll work on revisions to prepare for our first issue in a week or two.

Experiencing Cultural Differences

Tell the story of an event in your life where a strong feeling of a cultural difference came through to you clearly. Write in about 200 to 300 words or so. Use a few short paragraphs. Include some dialogue (he said, she said). Make it possible to see and hear and experience what you did. Use the senses.

Reading "The Pearson Buzz"

Please take time to read the previous classes' writing.

Archive of articles from The Pearson Buzz

After reading, suggest two or three article ideas you would be interested in working on; you might also suggest a "special issue" idea on one theme or focus (e.g. helping immigrants to integrate in their new communities etc.)

Put your suggestions and ideas as a comment to this post. Thanks and see you on Valentine's Day!

Why I Write: Post Essays Here

Put your finished drafts here as a comment to the post. Try to get it done before Chinese New Year! See you all in two weeks.

Here are links to student essays from the 2006-2007 class:

Why I Write (first drafts)

Why I Write (revisions)

Our Home Town Stories

Post your home town story here. Try to have it posted by Tuesday night so we can all have a chance to read and review.

NEW: Brad's home town story at Writeboard. I finally did my homework and made the changes to come up with a second draft.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

Put your positive rainy writing here! Don't forget to make edits to your story of a scar in the post below. See you next week.

Writing Tutorial on Writing about the Rain
View the tutorial to see more vocabulary and a suggestion for a narrative structure for you to follow. Includes a sample of my writing.

The Story of our Scars

Please post a story about a scar you have on your body. Our first class is January 10, so post something before that date. Enjoy your holiday and stay safe. Please edit your story at the Writeboard links I provide to you. The password is writing12

Brad's story: The Scar on My Pinky (at Writeboard.com for editing)
Suzanne's story: Scar on My Index Finger (at Writeboard.com)
Hongxin's story: The Scar: The Remains of the Past (at Writeboard.com)
Kamila's story: A Child and a Motorcycle Mean Trouble (at Writeboard.com)
Zarghoona's story: The Scar of My Hand (at Writeboard.com)

Remember to write every day at least a little to stay in practice.

Revisions for An Important Memory

Please post your revised work here. Remember to make constructive comments to student work before next week's class. Use the "Criterion-Based Questions" as a guide for making good comments. Thanks!

NOTE: I made my comments to the pieces at the post below for Masaru, Hongxin, Emilia and Suzanne.

NEW: 50 Writing Tools
Excellent short explanations to help you improve your writing style. The first 30 or so include a "podcast" so you can listen to an explanation as well. Try applying one or two to your current work on memory.

Writing an Important Memory (Event) in Our Lives

Please post your memory writing here by Tuesday night. Remember to make comments on this writing by Wednesday night.

No set length. Remember to show us rather than tell us!

Character Trait Descriptive Writing Exercise

Following the two examples, "The Thief" and "Paula," write your own examples to demonstrate the two traits: easygoing and selfish.

Maximum word count per example is 75 words. Minimum number of paragraphs is three. Use dialogue at least once. Remember to write using verbs and nouns. Try not to use adjectives or adverbs unless necessary. Use at least one kind of zeugma.

DUE on Tuesday night!

Comments to other students' writing should be done by Wednesday night.

Pet Peeves

Put your writing here for Pet Peeves exercise.

A Simile a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!

Post your simile example here according to the schedule made in today's class.

You are also required to comment on one (or more) other student examples during the week. Does the simile help make the idea understandable? Is it fresh and interesting?

Links to Writeboard for Student "Showing" Examples

Zarghoona's Showing Examples

Hongxin Guo's Showing Example

Suzanne's Showing Example

Emilia's Showing Example

Links to Editing Student Descriptive Essays

Mushroom Necklaces

Cleaning the Well

Neptune Festival

Special Summer Ritual

Post Your Warm Ups

First one: FEAR

Second one: BOREDOM

"Jack" Stories for Editing at "Writeboard"

Here are the stories so far. Please edit one or two before coming to class on the 8th of November. Make a comment to tell us what you've done and why! Also, remember to do your introductions (see post below, "Introducing the Student Essays")

Brad's Story: "Jack"

Suzanne's Story: "Matter of Age and Marriage"

Hongxin's Story: "Jack"

Masaru's Story: "A Halloween Night (Chapter One)"

Short Story: Same Story in Different Voices

Post your story here. Remember that you can submit a part of a story. For example, write the ending or write a scene (a single incident). Anything you do will help you with the story overall.
View Short Stories: 10 Tips for Novice Writers for more information.

The "rules" are as follows.

Name of protagonist: Jack, a charming, ambitious, smart and selfish 26 year old.

Kind of conflict: external conflicts (with social environment, with other people etc.) Jack wants to marry a rich woman.

Why does he she want that? It's the easiest route to success.

What does he or she need to do? To find that woman somehow and seduce (attract; not have sex unless you are really daring!) her.

What are the obstacles (name 3): He comes from a poor family. He doesn't have enough good clothes. No car.

Setting: From a poor eastside Vancouver neighbourhood. (east of Main Street). Near Boundary.

Ending:

Does the protagonist succeed. How? or Why not? In a way he succeeds, but finds that it is not a perfect situation. The ideal woman is 20 years older than he is.

Introducing the Student Essays

For the four essays chosen in today's class, write a short introduction (50 to 75 words) that would help to interest a reader in devoting the time to reading the full essay. You should write at least one, but can write more than one if you wish. Write on your favourite, of course.

A New Way to Collaborate!

I've found a unique and interesting way for us to make edits to student work online. I've put students' writing up to demonstrate today. In order to access editing the document, you'll need the password, writing12.

Assignment: Go in and try an edit on one or two pieces below. Try to be helpful, but don't take too much time. We'll practice more throughout the term.

Here's Masaru's "A Daffodils and a Douglas Fir"

Here's Hongxin's "The Freds"

Here's Emilia's "10 Words"

Max's "10 Favourite Words Paragraph"

Suzanne's "Pursuing Fortune"

Tina's "Business and Happiness"

"Short Story Basics" Worksheet

Put your story outline as a comment to this post. Bring your ideas to class on October 25 to begin working on writing a full length short story.

Your "Favourite Ten Words" Writing Exercise

Please post the results of your writing exercise as a comment to this post. For Masaru (and Lina) here is the final list. There is no word limit. The only rule is to use all the words in your writing and for it to make some kind of sense!

Douglas Fir
Daffodils
Sunset
Pacific Ocean
Chocolate
Smile
15 Million Dollars
Green
Hawaii
Motorcycle

Link to "Learning the Edits" Information on an Editor's Changes

In 2000, I had a piece published in The Globe and Mail on the life of a dear friend whose life was cut short by cancer. The piece was extensively edited before it was published. As a favour, the editor agreed to answer ten questions about her editing decisions. Read about it here.

Vote for Your Favourite 10 Concrete Words

Vote for 10 in a comment to this post. Next week, we'll use some of these words in a piece of writing.

Sunset, Pacific Ocean, Douglas Fir

Turkey, Cook, BBQ Sauce

Daffodils, chocolate, green

The Big Idea, Mont Blanc fountain pen, parchment

Spaghetti, motorcycle, pin-striped suit

U.S Open, Hawaii, Fred

15 million dollars, health, smile

Electricity, clams, soccer

Homework for October 11 Class

First, repost your writing from October 4 with a 20% cut. After your paragraph, explain why you made one of your biggest cuts (be specific about the words you took out). Why is the sentence (or sentences) better now?

Second, take one of the original sentences from another student's writing and suggest a cut. You might even suggest a cut to the revised version if you dare! Don't be afraid to make a suggestion on Brad's piece. I'm pretty wordy in my first drafts.