Fiction Writing

Semester and Year	FA 2012
Course Number	WRTNG-UG1550
Section	001
Instructor	Lara Vapnyar
Days	Tue
Time	6:20 PM - 9:00 PM
Units	4.0
Level	U
Foundation Requirement

Notes/Restrictions

Students may take "Fiction Writing" two times.

Description

This course provides students interested in writing fiction an opportunity to explore (and practice) various forms of fiction in a workshop environment. The main objective of the course is to help students develop their individual styles and voices and to make them aware of the various techniques available to them. We will examine every aspect of the craft of traditional fiction writing: plot, structure, point of view, narrative voice, dialogue, building of individual scenes, etc as well as the new techniques of the digital age: hypertext, self-editing text, visual and audio images, animation. We will learn how to balance the traditional with the new without overwhelming the written text with gadgets. Students will be taught to look at texts from the unique perspective of a fellow writer and encouraged to become part of a community of writers where they will work with their peers in a safe, honest and considerate environment. Students will present their own fiction, respond to the writings of others, and pose questions about literature, editing, and publishing. Students will be required to write either two short stories, or a short story and a chapter from a novel, or a short story and several pieces of flash fiction. The reading assignments will include selections from old and contemporary authors such as Chekhov, Joyce, Borges, Nabokov, Alice Munro, George Saunders, Edward P. Jones, Junot Diaz, Jennifer Egan.

Syllabus

WRTNG-UG1550

Course Type

Advanced Writing Courses (WRTNG-UG)