Writers on Writing (ENGL 285)
TTh 12:30-2:20, Denny 303
Description
Have you ever wondered how your favorite poem came into being or what in the world your favorite writer was thinking when they developed that fascinating essay about bugs or that heartrending exploration of coming to terms with a family trauma? Have you ever wondered how the intricate plots and subplots of your favorite novel were woven together? Have you ever wondered how your favorite writer constructed the most beautiful sentence you’ve ever read? This class may help dispel some of those mysteries.
Through lectures and readings by a different writer every session, this class will introduce you to the creative processes of working prose writers and poets. Through numerous short writing assignments (both in class and at home), you will have the chance to write about writing and to create your own short works. Online forums will allow you to share your writing with classmates and receive feedback.
Texts
Light the Dark: Writers on Creativity, Inspiration, and the Artistic Process, ed. by Joe Fassler
Last Day of the Microsaurs, Kelsie Hahn
Other readings will be uploaded to Canvas
Class Structure
Lectures and readings—a new writer almost every day!
Break into small groups for discussion and other small group work
Size—up to 100 students
No quiz or discussion sections
Fulfills VLPA requirement
Cost
Cheap!
The required texts are a $17.00 paperback (new) and 1-2 chapbooks ($10 each)
Other readings will be on Canvas
There may be some fairly minimal costs to print writings to share with a group of students
Assignments will include but not be limited to:
- Keeping a writer’s journal
- Writing weekly very brief responses to lectures and readings
- Writing several short creative writing assignments
- Providing written and oral feedback on classmates’ writing
- Reading a wide variety of poems, short stories, personal essays, and essays about writing