What are you reading these days?

Give an account of your reading to us (why, where, how, what kind) and select one or two sentences that you think best reflect some of Janet Fitch's ideas.

Type the sentences into your comment so we can examine them carefully in next week's class. Also, if you like, please choose a really interesting (musically speaking) sentence for us to look at and imitate.

Link to Story Plots (the ones we didn't print properly last class)

Another version of the same plots with different, more easily understandable explanations.

TSA Writing Tips - THEMATIC PREMISE SHEET

TSA Writing Tips: No Nos (common plot problems)

Tennessee Screenwriting Association (home page for all above; lots to look at here)

Rules for Writers: Janet Fitch

Write a short comment (100 to 150 words) about one of Janet Fitch's rules for writers. Does it make sense to you? Why or why not? Is her advice familiar or unfamiliar to you?

Story Idea

Give us a plot and basic theme that you think might make the "bones" of a short short story of 1 500 words or so.

Varying the Narrative "Voice"

Take one of your pieces and rewrite it according to the way events and characters might be viewed by a very different narrator. Try to include all the same elements of setting, dialogue, plot and character.

*For an extra challenge: try doing the rewrite as a change from the omniscient narrator (all-seeing) to a first person (or the reverse, depending on your original).

A Jealous Character

Write, using only description of a person's actions and thoughts, to show a person who is "jealous." According to Wordsmyth, jealous is "envious of the qualities, possessions, or achievements of another." It can also mean, "doubtful and suspicious of the faithfulness of someone for whom one has affection; fearful of losing the other's affection."

Choose the kind of jealous you wish to express.

Field Work: Describing a Setting

Write 100 words or so based on your field observations of a new place. Make the setting appear either extremely negative or very positive. For fun, you might try describing a dirty or disgusting setting as positively as possible or a clean and bright setting as negatively as possible.

Explore the possibilities! Add a polysyndeton if you can.

Describing a Person

Write a paragraph about someone that includes one example from each category: physical characteristics; behaviours; anecdotes. Include asyndeton if you can. Any length is fine. I'll provide a sample on the weekend for you to follow.

Nice to meet you all. I think we have a solid class this term!

Portfolio: Problems and Solutions

I will be happy to answer any question or explain anything you need explained. Ask away!

The Woman in the House on the Left

The woman in the house to the left is standing out in her yard. She never just stands there. She’s always on the go. Her husband comes out. They talk. They hug. She cries. He comforts.—from “Write Any Genre” Web site.

Word list for today’s writing:

NOUNS: brush, roses, blender, bandanna, ring, kiss

VERBS: scurry, snag, whirl, nest, paint, argue

The Man Across the Street (Prompt)

The man across the street is trimming branches off a tree with a chain saw. He stops suddenly and tries to see into the window of the house.

Begin the story with this setting/idea. It is not necessary to put the words in the piece if you don't wish to do so.

Use these verbs: crouch, squash, scratch, stab, stroke, caress

Use these nouns: shirt, laptop, lady, stranger, bikini, garden

Edits on Pieces from May 13 Class

A Rant or a Rave About Sports!

Write either a rant (an angry, upset and frustrated piece) or a rave (a glowing, happy, wonderful piece) about sports. Be sure to narrow your topic to something specific; for example, Roberto Luongo's bad goaltending in the sixth game of the playoff against the Chicago Blackhawks . . .

Rants and Raves from WE Newspaper in Vancouver

I'm Watching a Flagger

Post your "flagger" pieces here. If you missed class, instructions below:

Starting writing with “I’m watching a flagger (someone who controls traffic with a handheld sign) . . . As you write make sure to use all the following verbs. Use the verbs in the same order as given below.

curse, tangle, flick, sweat, kneel, buzz, flip, grasp

EDITS from Kay, Esther and Somayeh's favourite tree pieces

On Language: Vocabulary Size

What do you think of Ammon Shea's ideas about vocabulary? Do you agree?

A Favourite Tree

"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)

See the previous classes' tree stories here.

See the edits from April 29 here.

A Catch-All Post

Put any writing for any prompt you've missed (or would like to do again) here. Here's today's edit from the class.

Field Work: Parenting Styles

If you are uncertain about parenting styles, take the time to observe children and parents together. Take a newspaper or magazine to a local park or playground and discreetly observe and listen. Go to a café afterwords and make notes on your observations.

Consider the article on parenting styles discussed in class today. For next week, write a parenting styles article based on your own experiences. You might make it a fiction if that feels more comfortable to you, but base it on what you have observed.

What's the Recipe?: Writing About Food

Time to share something yummy. What is one of your favourite (simple) recipes? Try to use "the guide" from today's class if you can.

Field Work: A New Place

Go somewhere you’re curious about, but have never visited. It doesn’t need to be far away and could include a store you’ve never gone into, for example. Write down your impressions. Was it worth the visit? Write it as a rant or a rave.

Travel Writing (How To Write the Perfect Travel Article)

Read Martin Li's article. Think about a favourite place and post an anecdote (mini story). Brad will join in from London, Brussels or Amsterdam. Be sure to critique Brad's writing in class.

Field Work: Take Off Your Shoes and Socks

Take off your shoes and socks, close your eyes, feel the floor/ground with your whole foot. Let yourself remember a time when you were barefoot and begin writing with one small image. Write whatever comes.