WEEKLY COURSE
SCHEDULE: Week 2
Extra Credit Options (put up early so you can plan for these events):
1) Hurwitz in Handcuffs: Performance of ballads celebrating CEO of
Maxxam, Charles Hurwitz, being briefly handcuffed. Community members will read
their ballads on Sat., Feb. 2 at 7 pm at the River Lodge in Fortuna.
2) An Evening of Poetry, Dance, and Music: Feb. 6th at 7 pm at the
Accident Gallery in Old Town. 210 C St. (707) 445-2420
3) Open Mike Poetry Reading: Monday, Feb. 11th. Poets on the Plaza at
the Plaza Grill View Room, 2nd Floor, Jacoby's Storehouse 8th and H in Arcata.
Signups at 7:30 pm; reading starts at 8 pm.
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. The extra credit is worth 20
pts., but you can only do one extra credit for the semester.
| Class 2 |
2/2 |
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. 28 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.