nyufictionone

Fiction I

WRIT1-CE9320 Section 3 Fall 2011

New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Arts and Writing Programs
Instructor: Meredith Sue Willis MeredithSueWillis@gmail.com
October 5 - December 14, 2011
Bobst Library Room 837 6:30 PM - 8:50 PM

Updated 12-7-11

Instructor: Meredith Sue Willis MeredithSueWillis@gmail.com

Good Luck in Your Writing!

It's time for your course evaluations: Please click here.

Places that Publish short fiction

It's National Novel Writing Month

Proofeader's Marks

Current Week

Presentation List

Conferences

MSW Home

Deb Gaisford, who took this class last spring, just had a story called "Love Letters from Vietnam" published online at the online magazine, The Fear of Monkeys .

Book Deal

List of recommended readings from Previous Classes

Some Books about Writing

To Get Credit for this Course Toward the Certificate

A Few Interesting Writers of Fiction

Anton Chekov Raymond Carver Kate Chopin Walter Mosley Grace Paley Eudora Welty

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

This syllabus will be updated often. Please check here on the web at least once a week for updates. Fundamentals of fiction writing to be addressed in this class include: story, structure, setting, viewpoint, genre, dialogue, and character. Each participant is expected to support the efforts of all the class members. Required work for this class includes short writing assignments in and out of class, readings, responses to one another’s writing, and presentation of writing to the class.

Assignments done out-of-class must be turned in as hard copy (not as email attachments). They should be typed/word processed and double-spaced with at least 1 inch margins all around using a font comparable to Times New Roman 12 point.

Homework assignments should be no more than 2 pages long. (If you want a response for something longer, combine several weeks' allotment). Pieces presented to the class for critique during the second half of the class should be @ 5 pages long with copies handed out to the whole class a week before the presentation.

This course may be used for the certificate in Creative Writing. Click here for information. Click here for specific information on the grading for this class.

1. 10-5-11 Introduction. Bring in (or be ready to describe) a piece of fiction you admire: a classic short story, a novel, a parable. Why fiction? Where do our ideas come from?

Genres of fiction (flash fiction, parable, short story, autobiographical fiction, long story, novella, novel); special issues in fiction (voice, tense, point of view); the writer's life; and common terms for fiction writers ("show & tell;" structure and plot; point of view; scene and summary; outlining; process and product). Experiments with fiction versus memoir. "A Man Told Me The Story of His Life" by Grace Paley (photo left).

2.10-12 Real Life and Fiction.

Reading Assignment due: Read "Reunion," by John Cheever, handed out in class, and take a look also at some of the stories linked below for a tiny hint of what's going on in new fiction online.

Writing assignment due: Write a piece that starts with something autobiographical and fictionalize.

In-class Discussion: What kinds of critiquing actually help us write.

For fun: Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing.

(Images: Elmore Leonard above left; John Cheever above right)

3. 10-19 Conflict as the Heart of Fiction.

Reading Assignment due: Read two short stories, one old: "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin and one more contemporary, "Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood.

Writing assignment due: A story about a marriage or other relationship with a conflict, perhaps affected by a secret, but not necessarily.

In-class Discussion: Conflict and climax. " The Use of Force" by poet William Carlos Williams. This is a brief story, probably autobiographical, with a very open conflict and some good description of action.

4. 10-26 Creating Character Concretely.

Reading Assignment due: Read short descriptions of Alice, Mr. Slope , and Dave Rivers. Notice that there is physical action in that last one.
(Photo of Alan Rickman as Mr. Slope left).

Writing assignment due: a description of a character in which you use sense words that include sound, smell and touch (perhaps the texture of hair?). Also include some characteristic physical action for the person.

In-class discussion: Character Out and In.

5.11-2 A Place to Begin Fiction.

Reading Assignment due: Read the online samples of place description here.:

Writing Assignment Due: Describe a place, pleasant or unpleasant, using all the senses if possible. As you describe, think about what might happen in this place,and use it as the opening-- the setting-- for a scene or story.

6. 11-9 The Spine of Fiction: Dialogue.

Reading Assignment due: Http://www.nycbigcitylit.com/contents/ArticleWillisPanel.html and “Too Many Tags.” Also read the Raymond Carver short-short online called "Little Things." Compare to story of Solomon and the two harlots in the Bible.

Writing Assignment Due: Write a scene or short short story in which two people are talking at cross purposes.

In-class: Discussion on Making a Place for Writing in Your Life

7. 11-16 Point of View and Voice: How we Tell our Story.

Reading Assignments Due: ”Why I Live at the P.O." by Eudora Welty and Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

Writing assignment due: A piece that experiments with voice and creates a a character unlike the writer, in, perhaps, age, religion, ethnic group-- whatever. If you find this hard, write some of the "Characteristics" for this person.

Student Presentations. (See below for dates)

Just for fun: The Onion's "column" called "Ask Raymond Carver."

No class November 23

8. 11-30 Plot-Driven Fiction

Reading assignment due:"The Necklace," an old-fashioned plotted story by Guy de Maupassant and "The Monkey's Paw" an old horror story by W.W. Jacobs.

Writing assignment due: A very short story (or chapter or anecdote) with a surprise at the end.

In-class: Short Marketing Discussion.

Presentations of Student Work for Critique. (See below for dates)

9. 12-7 Character Driven Fiction. Read an excerpt sample from an MSW story Tara White. (For the full story, click here.)

Writing assignment due:Take any piece you've done for homework this term, and revise or expand it.

Presentations of Student Work for Critique. (See below for dates)

NO ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED AFTER 12-7-11

NOTE: NYU HAS INFORMED US WE CANNOT HAVE CLASS ON DECEMBER 14. I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS CURTAILMENT OF THE CLASS. WE HAVE VOTED, HOWEVER, TO MAKE UP THE TIME THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE CONFERENCES THROUGH DURING THE PREVIOUS WEEKS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE TEACHER.

~~10.12-14.Important Techniques~~~~. Slowing and speeding up time, Long-Shot & Close-Up, present vs past tense, and more.~~

~~Presentations of Student Work for Critique-- and Farewells!~~

This course may be used toward the departmental certificate in Creative Writing. In order to earn the credit, your work must be evaluated by the professor. To receive credit for the course, you must turn in at least six of the eight writing assignments. You may choose a pass/fail option, or you may take the course for no grade (NE).

You may also request a letter grade. No grade will be given below a B. To earn a B, you must complete at least six of the eight writing assignments to the professor's satisfaction plus present work for critiquing by the class at least once. To earn an A, you must complete all homework assignments, present work for critiquing by the class at least once, and show evidence of having done the outside reading.

Supplementary Materials and Resources:

Places that publish short fiction-- online and hard copy
Article about MFA Programs versus the NYC Publishing World
One view of writing: Charles Bukowski's poem "So You Want to Be a Writer"
An interesting article about fiction writing by Walter Mosley.
Blog entry by Tayari Jones on the importance of Names.
Resources for writers: Resources.
Books about writing: Bibliography.
Notes on Point of View
Here is a funny poem by Billy Collins about workshopping poetry.
Here are some quotations by famous writers about writing.
Thoughts on the future of publishing: The New Publishing Paradigm by Cantara Christopher.
Novels to read for pleasure--and as models: a list from MSW's various classes.
Learn Proof Reader's marks.
"The Business of Books, by André Schiffrin" (review by Meredith Sue Willis of a book on the status of publishing)
Some online fiction by Meredith Sue Willis: "The Two Lindas; ""How She Chose the Day,"
Click here for more MSW online fiction and here for MSW's books.

Presentation List For Critique by the Class
Bring copies for everyone the WEEK BEFORE

11-2    Alisha Chaudhary

11-9    Deborah Gersony

11-16 Patrick Curry
                    Alessandra Alma

11-30 Alyssa Roberts
                    Kate Hayes

             Deborah Gersony

12-7    Katie Colpitts

            Alyssa Roberts

            Alessandra Alma

            Patrick Curry

Conference Schedule

11-9

6:00

6:15      Deborah Gersony

11-16

6:00

6:15      Alyssa Roberts

11-30

5:45      Alessandra Alma

6:00      Katie Colpitts

6:15      Patrick Curry

12-7

6:00     Alisha Chaudhary

6:15     Kate Hayes

Featured Book

Special Price on Meredith Sue Willis's new book of stories from myths and other stories: Re-Visions. Regular Price $14.95 plus S&H now $13.00 plus S&H.

Click on the Book or here.

Subscribe to my Free Newsletter
for Readers and Writers:

Subscribe!

Enter your email to join ReaderBooks today!

Send mail

Biography Blog Books for Readers Contact Home Kids MSW Info MSW's Books Online Classes Order Books MSW Online Resources for Writers Teens Workshops Writing Exercises

Best All Around Resources for Writers: New Pages

Send Mail to MSW

About MSW

A literary Map of West Virginia!

Literary/Book Review Blogs Reading Red Maud Newton Tayari Jones Lit mob Lux Lotus MediaBistro/Galleycat My newsletter: Books for Readers

Writers' Links & Resources

Resources for writers How Artists Get Paid Int. Women's Writing Guild New Publishing Paradigm Quotations about Writing Resources for writers Thunderburst Edwards Bros. Printers Things for Writers to Read

Poetry & More

Writing by MSW

Blogs I Like

Writers' Websites:

FamilyOriented Websites Ellen Kahaner's Mural class Reading and Traveling with Kids

More Jeremy Osner

Art, Music, Mixed Media, and More! Dory Adams: n this Light Linda Adato Tim Barnwell Appalachian Images Rachel Burgess Charlie Cowger Deep Listening Ann Olson Dee Rimbaud Rochelle Ratner Kevin Scanlon Peter Sciaino Duane Smith Tiny Tim Memorial Web Site Randi Ward Ella Yang

Want some great graphics? http://ann-s-thesia.com/

More Links I Like

Fiction I

WRIT1-CE9320 Section 3 Fall 2011

New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Arts and Writing Programs Instructor: Meredith Sue Willis MeredithSueWillis@gmail.com October 5 - December 14, 2011 Bobst Library Room 837 6:30 PM - 8:50 PM Updated 12-7-11

Instructor: Meredith Sue Willis MeredithSueWillis@gmail.com

Good Luck in Your Writing!

It's time for your course evaluations: Please click here.

Deb Gaisford, who took this class last spring, just had a story called "Love Letters from Vietnam" published online at the online magazine, The Fear of Monkeys .

Book Deal List of recommended readings from Previous Classes

A Few Interesting Writers of Fiction

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

1. 10-5-11 Introduction. Bring in (or be ready to describe) a piece of fiction you admire: a classic short story, a novel, a parable. Why fiction? Where do our ideas come from?

2.10-12 Real Life and Fiction.

Reading Assignment due: Read "Reunion," by John Cheever, handed out in class, and take a look also at some of the stories linked below for a tiny hint of what's going on in new fiction online.

Writing assignment due: Write a piece that starts with something autobiographical and fictionalize.

In-class Discussion: What kinds of critiquing actually help us write.

For fun: Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing.

(Images: Elmore Leonard above left; John Cheever above right)

3. 10-19 Conflict as the Heart of Fiction.

Reading Assignment due: Read two short stories, one old: "Desiree's Baby" by Kate Chopin and one more contemporary, "Happy Endings" by Margaret Atwood.

Writing assignment due: A story about a marriage or other relationship with a conflict, perhaps affected by a secret, but not necessarily.

In-class Discussion: Conflict and climax. " The Use of Force" by poet William Carlos Williams. This is a brief story, probably autobiographical, with a very open conflict and some good description of action.

4. 10-26 Creating Character Concretely. Reading Assignment due: Read short descriptions of Alice, Mr. Slope , and Dave Rivers. Notice that there is physical action in that last one.

(Photo of Alan Rickman as Mr. Slope left).

Writing assignment due: a description of a character in which you use sense words that include sound, smell and touch (perhaps the texture of hair?). Also include some characteristic physical action for the person. In-class discussion: Character Out and In.

5.11-2 A Place to Begin Fiction.

Reading Assignment due: Read the online samples of place description here.:

Writing Assignment Due: Describe a place, pleasant or unpleasant, using all the senses if possible. As you describe, think about what might happen in this place,and use it as the opening-- the setting-- for a scene or story.

6. 11-9 The Spine of Fiction: Dialogue. Reading Assignment due: Http://www.nycbigcitylit.com/contents/ArticleWillisPanel.html and “Too Many Tags.” Also read the Raymond Carver short-short online called "Little Things." Compare to story of Solomon and the two harlots in the Bible.

Writing Assignment Due: Write a scene or short short story in which two people are talking at cross purposes.

In-class: Discussion on Making a Place for Writing in Your Life

7. 11-16 Point of View and Voice: How we Tell our Story.

Reading Assignments Due: ”Why I Live at the P.O." by Eudora Welty and Girl by Jamaica Kincaid

Writing assignment due: A piece that experiments with voice and creates a a character unlike the writer, in, perhaps, age, religion, ethnic group-- whatever. If you find this hard, write some of the "Characteristics" for this person. Student Presentations. (See below for dates)

Just for fun: The Onion's "column" called "Ask Raymond Carver."

No class November 23

8. 11-30 Plot-Driven Fiction

Reading assignment due:"The Necklace," an old-fashioned plotted story by Guy de Maupassant and "The Monkey's Paw" an old horror story by W.W. Jacobs. Writing assignment due: A very short story (or chapter or anecdote) with a surprise at the end.

In-class: Short Marketing Discussion.

Presentations of Student Work for Critique. (See below for dates)

9. 12-7 Character Driven Fiction. Read an excerpt sample from an MSW story Tara White. (For the full story, click here.)

Writing assignment due:Take any piece you've done for homework this term, and revise or expand it.

Presentations of Student Work for Critique. (See below for dates)

NO ASSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED AFTER 12-7-11

NOTE: NYU HAS INFORMED US WE CANNOT HAVE CLASS ON DECEMBER 14. I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS CURTAILMENT OF THE CLASS. WE HAVE VOTED, HOWEVER, TO MAKE UP THE TIME THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE CONFERENCES THROUGH DURING THE PREVIOUS WEEKS BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE TEACHER.

10.12-14.Important Techniques. Slowing and speeding up time, Long-Shot & Close-Up, present vs past tense, and more.

Presentations of Student Work for Critique-- and Farewells!

Supplementary Materials and Resources:

Places that publish short fiction-- online and hard copy

Article about MFA Programs versus the NYC Publishing World

One view of writing: Charles Bukowski's poem "So You Want to Be a Writer"

An interesting article about fiction writing by Walter Mosley.

Blog entry by Tayari Jones on the importance of Names.

Resources for writers: Resources.

Books about writing: Bibliography.

Notes on Point of View

Here is a funny poem by Billy Collins about workshopping poetry.

Here are some quotations by famous writers about writing.

Thoughts on the future of publishing: The New Publishing Paradigm by Cantara Christopher.

Novels to read for pleasure--and as models: a list from MSW's various classes.

Learn Proof Reader's marks.

"The Business of Books, by André Schiffrin" (review by Meredith Sue Willis of a book on the status of publishing)

Some online fiction by Meredith Sue Willis: "The Two Lindas; ""How She Chose the Day," Click here for more MSW online fiction and here for MSW's books.

Presentation List For Critique by the Class Bring copies for everyone the WEEK BEFORE

Conference Schedule

A literary Map of
West Virginia!

Literary/Book Review Blogs
Reading Red
Maud Newton
Tayari Jones
Lit mob
Lux Lotus
MediaBistro/Galleycat
My newsletter: Books for Readers

Writers' Links
& Resources

Resources for writers
How Artists Get Paid
Int. Women's Writing Guild
New Publishing Paradigm
Quotations about Writing
Resources for writers
Thunderburst
Edwards Bros. Printers
Things for Writers to Read

FamilyOriented Websites
Ellen Kahaner's Mural class
Reading and Traveling with Kids

More
Jeremy Osner

Art, Music, Mixed Media, and More!
Dory Adams: n this Light
Linda Adato
Tim Barnwell Appalachian Images
Rachel Burgess
Charlie Cowger
Deep Listening
Ann Olson
Dee Rimbaud
Rochelle Ratner
Kevin Scanlon
Peter Sciaino
Duane Smith
Tiny Tim Memorial Web Site
Randi Ward
Ella Yang

Want some great graphics?
http://ann-s-thesia.com/

New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Arts and Writing Programs
Instructor: Meredith Sue Willis MeredithSueWillis@gmail.com
October 5 - December 14, 2011
Bobst Library Room 837 6:30 PM - 8:50 PM

Updated 12-7-11

Book Deal

List of recommended readings from Previous Classes

4. 10-26 Creating Character Concretely.

Reading Assignment due: Read short descriptions of Alice, Mr. Slope , and Dave Rivers. Notice that there is physical action in that last one.

Writing assignment due: a description of a character in which you use sense words that include sound, smell and touch (perhaps the texture of hair?). Also include some characteristic physical action for the person.

In-class discussion: Character Out and In.

6. 11-9 The Spine of Fiction: Dialogue.

Reading Assignment due: Http://www.nycbigcitylit.com/contents/ArticleWillisPanel.html and “Too Many Tags.” Also read the Raymond Carver short-short online called "Little Things." Compare to story of Solomon and the two harlots in the Bible.

Writing assignment due: A piece that experiments with voice and creates a a character unlike the writer, in, perhaps, age, religion, ethnic group-- whatever. If you find this hard, write some of the "Characteristics" for this person.

Student Presentations. (See below for dates)

Reading assignment due:"The Necklace," an old-fashioned plotted story by Guy de Maupassant and "The Monkey's Paw" an old horror story by W.W. Jacobs.

Writing assignment due: A very short story (or chapter or anecdote) with a surprise at the end.

Some online fiction by Meredith Sue Willis: "The Two Lindas; ""How She Chose the Day,"
Click here for more MSW online fiction and here for MSW's books.

Presentation List For Critique by the Class
Bring copies for everyone the WEEK BEFORE

Subscribe to my Free Newsletter
for Readers and Writers:

Subscribe!

Enter your email to join ReaderBooks today!