WEEKLY COURSE
SCHEDULE: Week 2
Extra Credit:
Monday, Sept. 5: Open Mike Poetry Reading: Poets on the Plaza. 8 p.m.
Plaza Grill View Room, Jacoby's Storehouse, 8th and H Streets., Arcata. You can
either go and watch, or if you're a poet yourself, you can read your original
poetry. I encourage you, if you've never been to an open mike before, to go
listen or perform. $1 donation.
Thursday, 9/11 at doors open 7:30 pm; performance begins at 8 pm: Accident
Poetry Slam. $5.00 at the door. Accident Gallery @
210 C St. in Old Town, Eureka. If you're into performing your poetry,
there's a prize for best political poem.
Remember, all you have to do is go, take notes, get a program of ticket stub,
and write a one-page journal (double-spaced) that is your review of the event.
The journal is due at the next class session.
| Class 2 |
9/5 |
1) Share your most embarrassing or worst CDs |
| 2) Phone list handed out | ||
| 3) Talk about the structure
of a story |
||
| 4) Mini
lesson on plot |
||
| 5) Discuss "On Hope" and Dave will collect your 3 x 5 card synopsis (5 pts.) | ||
| 6) Go over guidelines to sharing fiction and critique in syllabus | ||
| 7) Share exercises in groups and turn in a clean copy to Dave | ||
|
Homework |
1) In your writer's journal, make a list of what you consider behaviors that annoy you. Also, make a list of obsessive characteristics--either in yourself or others. You may want to write about these lists and see what you notice. If you've had an experience with either of these things (annoyance or obsession), write for a bit and see what memories or experience you've had with such things or people. | |
| 2) Now choose one of the following exercises and write two-four pages-- and make five copies to bring to class to share in a small group. | ||
| A) Write a story about a character who becomes obsessed with something or someone. It might be an idea, a lover, a habit, a dream. Then let the plot evolve out of that obsession. | ||
| B) Take a habit that annoys you no end in other people--and then create a character who has that habit, although probably is relatively unaware of it. Then write a comic piece about what happens to that person one day as a result of his/her bad habit and a person like yourself who can't stand it. | ||
| C) Have you ever noticed how opposites attract? Write a story about two people who are opposites in some way and put them in a pressure cooker--a stuck elevator, a shipwreck, an endless layover, a marriage, a relationship--and watch the sparks fly. | ||
| D) Create a desperate character who must accomplish something really important within a short period of time. Then put some obstacles in his/her way and watch what happens as you crank up the pressure. | ||
| 2) Read "Lamb to the Slaughter" by Roald Dahl on p. 29 in the class booklet and come prepared to discuss this in class. Also, don't forget to write a synopsis of the story to turn in at Class 3 (for five points). | ||
| 3) Read "Introduction" and "Getting Started" from BBB. Hi-light any great quotes and bring your book to our next class for sharing them aloud. Also, you might transfer anything really useful into your writer's journal for later consideration. |
Note: The above assignments and deadlines are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.