English 111 -- Creative Writing: Fiction

Overview

This is a creative writing class, but we won't spend most of our time learning how to be creative. Chances are, you're already creative enough to write fiction that you can sell. Chances are, you've already got some great story ideas, if only you could get those ideas onto an actual, coherent story, if only an editor would read past the first page of your story, if only . . .

This course will emphasize two other things besides creativity: First, the craft of narrative creative writing, the 99% perspiration that goes into tightening your plot, hooking your reader, maintaining dramatic tension and suspense. This class will teach you the practical nuts and bolts of character, conflict, plot, and setting with an eye toward selling in an actual market. Second, you can't write contemporary short stories without a deep familiarity with and appreciation of contemporary short fiction. We will therefore read a lot of contemporary fiction, and also learn about researching markets and practical strategies for submitting your material.

This is a "workshop" class. Students must be prepared to write regularly and to share this writing with the class. Equally importantly, students must be willing to read each others' work carefully, and provide insightful feedback.

There is no textbook for this class. All your readings will be found within the Files section of our Canvas page. The large PDF of assigned readings must be printed out and brought to class. Student writings, posted for workshop critique, as well as student-suggested readings, will also be on Canvas, and also must be printed out for class. Expect to do a large amount of reading (fiction, "how to write" essays, and each others' writings). Expect to do a lot of writing, which will be gathered into a portfolio at the end of the class. Expect to submit your work to actual markets. Expect to do writing exercises in every class. Expect to possibly participate in a public reading at the end of the course. In other words, if you are interested in creative writing, expect to make a lot of progress in this class, and hopefully have a lot of fun.

Catalog Course Description: 111 emphasizes steady, productive writing of stories. Practical advice is offered in fictional techniques and in ways to improve writing, especially through revision. Student manuscripts are submitted regularly for response and verbal-written criticism by peers and by instructor in a workshop setting.

The Details

Class format for an average class will be:

• "Student Selected Reading" - Present and 15. (discuss Minutes.)

• Writing Exercise, in your exercise notebook. (15 Minutes).

• Discussion of class reading(s) (15 Minutes)

• Workshop (2 students) (1 hour)

You will be responsible for showing up. Attendance is required. You may miss two "personal days" for any reason (and I don't need to know the reason). After that, your final grade will drop 1/3 of a letter grade for each additional day missed. If you have a valid, documented reason for needing to miss more classes (eg, a valid medical reason) talk to me about that early in the course. Chronic or extreme lateness will also not be tolerated, and may count as absences as well. The same applies to failure to participate in classroom discussion or activities. Cell phones (or other texting devices) are absolutely not permitted in class and must be off. Also, you may not use your computer in class.

You will be responsible for writing regularly. You will submit 3 instances of your writing for peer critique at workshop sessions. These need to be posted to Canvas at least 48 hours before we will be discussing them in class. Aim for a story length of 15 to 20 doublespaced pages (4000 to 5000 words). The first story has no additional requirements. For the second story you must note what your initial target market is for the story. The third story must be targeted for a specific market with your 2-page market analysis in mind.

You will be responsible for presenting one "Student Suggested Reading" of no more than 10 pages. This should be an example of contemporary short-story writing from one of your favorite current authors, something you admire and would like to emulate. You will be required to present your reasons for choosing this particular work to the class. You need to get the reading to me at least one week before your reading comes up in class, to allow time for it to be scanned, for me to post it to Canvas, and for the other students to download, print, and read it. All Student Suggested Readings must be no more than 10 years old, and published in a professional market.

You will be responsible for printing out and reading all assigned readings, workshop stories and Student Suggested Readings. There will be periodic, unannounced reading quizzes throughout the semester.

You will be responsible for printing out, reading, and providing constructive criticism on all student writing that comes up for workshop. Print out and read each of the writing submissions, and make some notes on them that you can use in class to provide feedback. Please email me these notes ahead of class, with the subject heading ENGL 111 Reading Notes. Come to class with the story printed out (remember, I don't want you using your computer in class). I will pay careful attention to who provides detailed, helpful feedback and who does not, since this is a large part of your class grade.

You will be responsible for maintaining an exercise notebook and bringing it to each class. Most class periods will include some kind of writing exercise, which can later be used as material for your workshop pieces and portfolio.

You will be responsible for a 2-page market analysis, to be turned in before you submit your third short story.

You will be responsible for turning in a portfolio at the end of class, including at least 3 of your best pieces from the semester. If these are workshop pieces, they should be revised from the original workshop draft. Each piece should also be accompanied by a 1-page reflection on your revision process for the piece and what you were trying to accomplish. All stories should have a market identified, and one story should have been actually sent (include the cover letter).

You should have access to a computer. You will notice that there is a web page for the class, at http://www.sonstroem.com/111/. You will be required to access this webpage throughout the semester, for readings, assignments and other material. Many readings will be found on the resources tab within Canvas. You will also need to use Canvas to access other students' writings, and to post your own writings. Computer access is therefore vital to the class. Written work will be submitted mostly electronically. Any hard-copy assignments should be printed on white paper, in a standard 12-point font, with one inch margins. Your exercise notebook can remain in longhand.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives include developing your skills as a creative writer in a variety of specific ways (character development, conflict, plot, setting, language, etc), enhancing your familiarity with contemporary short fiction and short fiction markets, developing the skills of market research, and developing your skills as a careful reader and a constructive critic of others' writing.

Plagiarism

Please refer to your Student Handbook (Tiger Lore) for a complete statement of the University Honor Code, an essential element in the academic integrity of our campus community. If I believe you to be in violation of the University Honor Code I will refer the matter to the Office of Student Life. Penalties for violating the Honor Code can include suspension from the University. In other words, if you plagiarize in this class, I will probably catch you, and you will probably end up in serious trouble.

Plagiarism is the attempt to pass off someone else's text or ideas as your own. If you copy or paraphrase from any outside source, even another student, and fail to formally acknowledge this in your text, you are guilty of plagiarism. If someone else writes a paper for you, or even part of a paper for you, you are guilty of plagiarism. If you are found guilty of plagiarism, you will receive an F for the assignment, an F for the course, and a letter will be sent to your dean. A student who is found violating the academic honesty policy (i.e.: cheating or knowingly plagiarizing) in a course will be prevented from dropping the course even if the deadline to drop has not expired. There are no exceptions.

In a creative writing class, general story ideas can come from all kinds of sources, even other stories that we've read. In most cases, that's not a problem. If you have any questions about avoiding plagiarism, please feel free to talk with me.

Students with Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations, please contact the Director of the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) for information on how to obtain an Accommodations Request Letter.

3-Step Accommodation Process

1. Student meets with the SSD Director and provides documentation and completes registration forms.

2. Student requests accommodation(s) each semester by completing the Request for Accommodations Form.

3. Student arranges to meet with his/her professors to discuss the accommodation(s) and to sign the Accommodation Request Letter

To ensure timeliness of services, it is preferable that you obtain the accommodation letter(s) from the Office of SSD as early as possible in each term. After the instructor receives the accommodation letter, please schedule a meeting with the instructor during office hours or some other mutually convenient time to arrange the accommodation(s). The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities is located in the McCaffrey Center, Rm. 137. Phone: 209-946-3221. Email: ssd@pacific.edu. Online: www.pacific.edu/disabilities

Grading

Grade Scale: A 100 to 93 ; A- 92.9 to 90 ; B+ 89.9 to 87 ; B 86.9 to 83 ; B- 82.9 to 80 ; C+ 79.9 to 77 ; C 76.9 to 73 ; C- 72.9 to 70 ; D+ 69.9 to 67 ; D 66.9 to 63 ; D- 62.9 to 60 ; F 59.9-0. 

Copies of student work may be retained for purposes including to assess how the learning objectives of the course are being met.

Schedule of Classes

Due to the nature of the class, this schedule will remain flexible. I will add/modify the readings as we go along to reflect the developing needs of the class.

All readings will be available through the Canvas site.

No Final Exam. Final Portfolios are due Thursday, December 12 at 3:00pm.