9/11/2018 ENG296- 01_201901: Week 1 Assignments - due on 9/18

SmithMoodle Alina Wang

ENG296‑ 01: ADVANCED FICTION WRITING

Home ►︎ Fall 2018‑2019 ►︎ ENG296‑ 01_201901 ►︎ Week 1 ‑ September 11 ►︎
Week 1 Assignments ‑ due on 9/18

Week 1 Assignments ‑ due on 9/18

Mindfulness
Try meditating for 5 minutes a couple times this week, and see how it goes. Sit up straight, bring your
awareness to your body, close your eyes, find your breath. When thoughts arise, just notice them and return
your attention to your body and breath. After you're done, sit down with your process journal and write about
what you noticed and felt. If you have any questions about your experience, write them down and bring them up
in class. 
Admin
Read all the PDFS in the Syllabus & Guidelines folder on Moodle. Makes notes of any questions you have
and bring them to class.
Block off your writing times in your calendar. Write them down in your process journal. Try to stick to them.
See how you do.
Browse the list of One Story stories. Based on Hannah's brief descriptions, choose a few stories you think
you might like, as well as a few that you think you won't like (5or 6 stories total). Follow this link to the One
Story Archive, and read the beginnings of the stories you've chosen closely, making notes in your process
journal (see below). Post your three favorite stories to the Sandbox by Sunday, September 16. 
Writing
This week we're focussing on beginnings. Think of an idea for a new story you might like to write. Write 3
completely different beginning paragraphs to that story. Here are some different techniques you can try:
In each beginning, use a different tense (past, present, future) and/or a different voice (first person,
second person, third person).
Start with different characters and different points of view.
Start at a different place in the story arc (start later in the story, start earlier, start in the middle of an
action)
Bring your three beginning paragraphs to class next week.
Reading & Forums
Rèaḋìñǧ Lìǩè a Wṝìțèṝ ‑ Read the first chapter (pages 1 ‑ 12) and post to forum.
Read the Lydia Davis microfictions.
Process Journal
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Start noodling around in your process journals. Here are some ideas:
9/11/2018 ENG296- 01_201901: Week 1 Assignments - due on 9/18

Write about the One Story beginning paragraphs you've read. What do you notice? What drew you in? What
makes a good beginning? 
Write about your 3 beginning paragraphs. Which one do you like best? Least? Why?
Write about your writing schedule. Put your writing times in writing. Make a vow. Make it real. Then track
yourself this week and see how you do.
Take 15 minutes and write a page of "I remembers." Do this once or twice a week and you'll never run out of
things to write about.
Brainstorm 5 or 10 ideas for a new short story. Choose the idea that has most energy for you, and
brainstorm 5 or 10 more ideas for it. 
Make notes about what you're reading for this class, other classes, or for pleasure. If there are any images,
phrases or sentences you particularly like, copy them into your process journal so you can have them. Make
notes about writing techniques you'd like to borrow or steal. 
Last modified: Sunday, September 9, 2018, 12 45 PM
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ENG296‑ 01_201901
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General
Week 1 ‑ September 11
Week 1 Assignments ‑ due on 9/18
Microfictions ‑ Lydia Davis & Zsuzsi Gartner
Week 2 ‑ September 18
Week 3 ‑ September 25
Week 4 ‑ October 2
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9/11/2018 FALL BREAK ‑ October 9 ENG296- 01_201901: Week 1 Assignments - due on 9/18

Week 5 ‑ October 16
Week 6 ‑ October 23
Week 7 ‑ October 30
Week 8 ‑ November 6
Week 9 ‑ November 13
Week 10 ‑ November 20
Week 11 ‑ November 27
Week 12 ‑ December 4
Week 13 ‑ December 11
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ENG296‑ 01_201901

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