Description: Writing Craft will explore and exploit the basic elements of craft of our past, current and future writing. The craft elements: Process and Habit, Showing and Telling,
Characterization, Setting, Plot, Pace, Structure, Point of View and Theme , and Womanist Workshopping will be taught. Class structure will include lectures on craft elements,
discussion of reading assignments, sharing writing assignments, and learning a modified Womanist Workshopping to share feedback on student writing.
Objectives: Through reading texts, written reflections from texts, writing, sharing writing and in class discussions we will: 1.) Identify craft elements inherent to successful storytelling
of fiction and nonfiction. 2.) Examine and reflect on the basic craft elements in assigned reading and class participants writing and reading. 3.) Explore craft elements shape, color, quantify,
reveal, describe, communicate, and embody the peoples and worlds of fiction and nonfiction.
Goals:
To establish or re-establish, strengthen or re-strengthen writing habit
1. Increase writing stamina.
2. Learning and sharing original work in in a creative writing community.
3. Explore and critically examine basic writing craft skills in your own writing and the writing of others.
4. Strengthen past and current writing and writing projects
5. Firmly establish a new writing project(s)
Texts: Burroway, E. Stuckey-French and N Stuckey French: Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition, A Guide to Narrative Craft, University of Chicago Press, 201
Marks, Dara: Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc, Three Mountain Press, 2007
Kokoro Clinic-339 15th Street-Suite-Oakland, Ca. 94612
Philosophy: Supporting and celebrating the creative learning and health of writers and artists. Concentrating on individual and collective worth, building and maintaining writing practice,
maintaining writing community and developing creative womanist leadership. Promoting the creative worth of writers; what is noticed, memories and stories stacked up in imaginations or
journals or neatly, or not so neatly, tucked away or bursting at the seams to be let loose onto the paper and into the world.
Overall Objectives:
Weekly Reading & Reflections:
I. Write 1page reflection of weekly of Burroway or Marks readings assigned.
This should be double spaced &12 pt. font size
II. Share reflections on our WhatsApp messaging before class, that is, read and reflect on assigned reading before each class and post your reflection on WhatsApp
Weekly Creative Assignment:
I. Choose a creative work, past or current, to explore, write into, revise, or begin.
II. Write into creative work weekly.
III. 1-5 minute read in class
IV. AWL Community Reading– August 21, 2023 6 pm-8 pm
Kokoro Clinic-339 15th Street-Suite-Oakland, Ca. 94612Class Orientation:
Class Community Reading:
August 21, 2023 6 pm-8 pm Kokoro Clinic-339 15th Street-Suite-Oakland, Ca. 94612
Dates
June 5, 2023 – Zoom Orientation 10:30-11:30 am & 4:00-5:00 pm.
Class Sessions
I. June 12, 2023
Lecture & Class Discussions, 45 min., 30 minute Write,
Reading: Burroway Preface & Chapter 1.
Reading: Marks Introduction & Chapter 1.
*1 Page Reading Reflections of assigned reading – Burroway or Marks due posted before each class on class WhatsApp messaging.
II. June 19, 2023
Lecture & Class Discussions, 45 min., 30 minute Write, Closing
Reading: Burroway Chapters 2. & 3.
Reading: Marks Chapters 2. & 3.
*1 Page Reading Reflections of assigned reading – Burroway or Marks due posted before each class on class WhatsApp messaging.
III. June 26, 2023
Lecture & Class Discussions, 45 min., 30 minute Write, Closing
Reading: Burroway Chapters 3. & 4.
Reading: Marks Chapters 3. & 4
*1 Page Reading Reflections of assigned reading – Burroway or Marks due posted before each class on class WhatsApp messaging.
IV. July 10, 2023
Lecture & Class Discussions, 45 min., 30 minute Write, Closing
Reading: Burroway Chapters 5. & 6.
Reading: Marks Chapters 5. & 6.
*1 Page Reading Reflections of assigned reading – Burroway or Marks due posted before each class on class WhatsApp messaging.
V. July 17, 2023
Lecture & Class Discussions, 45 min., 30 minute Write, Closing
Reading: Burroway Chapters 6. & 7.
Reading: Marks Chapters 6. & 7.
*1 Page Reading Reflections of assigned reading – Burroway or Marks due posted before each class on class WhatsApp messaging.
VI. July 24, 2023
Lecture & Class Discussions, 45 min., 30 minute Write, Closing
Reading: Burroway Chapters 8. & 9.
Reading: Marks Chapters 8. & 9.
*1 Page Reading Reflections of assigned reading – Burroway or Marks due posted before each class on class WhatsApp messaging.
VII. July 31, 2023
Abridged Womanist Workshopping: 5-7 to seven minute read, 15 minute reflection and productive feedback per student.
VIII. August 7, 2023
Abridged Womanist Workshopping: 5-7 to seven minute read, 15 minute reflection and productive feedback per student.
IX. August 14, 2027
Community Rehearsal, Self, Class and Teacher Appreciations and Evaluations, & Closing
Community Reading:
August 21, 2023 6 pm-8 pm Kokoro Clinic-339 15th Street-Suite-Oakland, Ca. 94612
A Writer's Life 