MFA Fiction Workshop (497-0-20)

Instructors

Juan Martinez

Meeting Info

University Hall 018 English: Thurs 10:00AM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

The goal of this workshop is twofold: (1) to help ourselves and our peers with work we're currently engaged in and (2) to refresh our practice and to clearly define what we want from that practice, materially and artistically and otherwise. It's easy to fall into a rut, to think we're only capable of working in certain modes, and it's not true. We can do a lot more. We'll work through a series of exercises to generate material drawn from two seemingly disparate sources: the fantastical and our own lives. We will, of course, also discuss and help each other work through the material we're submitting; be prepared to read and annotate closely. But we'll also come out with fresh stories as well as new approaches to our creative output, and we'll find constructive and supportive ways to sustain ourselves and our literary community. Writing can be hard, it can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be---not all the time, at least---and there is real joy involved. Let's get back to that joy.

Teaching Method

Presentations, in-class exercises, workshop.

Evaluation Method

This is a portfolio- and participation-based course. Grade based on timely delivery of all assigned work, with equal weight placed on your own presentations and stories and revisions and on your peer feedback.

Class Materials (Required)

Texts include: Contemporary short stories chosen by the class Texts will be available at: Canvas