Exercises, group work, and assignments are evaluated and discussed in a supportive workshop atmosphere that encourages them to lose their fear of failure and their doubts about their own ability, and freely pursue their story ideas. From that basis, students segue to conceiving and developing their own stories. What most distinguishes those who write from those who doubt, dabble and drift away is the belief that they can do it. Work will be discussed and evaluated in class throughout and the final assignment, one chapter or a significant portion of a short story plus synopsis, will be evaluated by the instructor. Bird By Bird , Anne Lamott, paperback.
Students begin group story work, emphasis on character.
Group work on plotting. Class discussion of assignment. Individual assignment, rough idea for a plot. A scene or a bit of description with a good sense of the plot. Creating real people.