Week of 11/27/12

11/29/12

Goal: Housekeeping. Time is getting short.

First Step: H.W. due. Anyone have a playlist piece to read? 

Announcement: There will be a final portfolio due (on the last day of class if you want feedback, at the final if you don't). Details to come on Tuesday, but know that you will be required to compile your poetry and fiction writing and include a reflection about the class. 

Next Step: Catch-up day. 

My goal is to check in with all of you today. If you are behind in class, this is a great day to catch up. If you are caught up completely, work on your character-based story. Make sure to include the following.

There is no minimum length, but the story needs to be long enough that we believe in the characters and the conflicts. Strong theme and/or tone is also essential. Above all, none of you are ordinary in here, so don't write ordinary work!!!


1. Character/s
2. Setting
3. Goal, conflict or problem
4. Major events (4 or 5)
5. Ending/Resolution
6. Theme

HW: Your complete story is due next Thursday
11/27/12

Goal: Another angle on your character...

First Step: Ms. LeClaire's rules of memoir club and 6-word short stories: 

1. The first rule of memoir club is that you don't talk about memoir club.
2. The second rule: Be fearlessly honest in your writing.
3. The third rule: Trust your instincts.
4. The fourth rule: Dedicate yourself to revising your essay to work on your craft.

6-word memoir: Ernest Hemingway was once prodded to compose a complete story in six words. His answer has been said to be his best prose ever. Some people say he did it to settle a bar bet. Others say it was a personal challenge directed at other famous authors. The death of an infant in his family was thought to be the inspiration. The story? "For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”

Examples: 

• Hilary Clinton: From Ill., met Bill, iron will.
• Rip Riley: No wife. No kids. No problems
• After Harvard, had baby with crackhead
• Found true love, married someone else.
• He seemed so sweet. At first.
• Thought I'd be special by now.

The Challenge? Create a story about your character in just 6 words… Often, the inferences are much more powerful than what we beat readers over the head with. You might come up with more than one; try humor, seriousness, sarcasm, student-you, home-you, past-you, current-you…

John Updike - A & P: The topic no one wants to talk about in school.

• What do we know about Sammie that he doesn't know about himself?
• Does Sammie do the right thing? Why or why not

HW: Mix Tape/Playlist. Write one for your character.