Action, Dialogue and Description:
[A writing course in which skills in action, dialogue and description are practiced.]

January 27

Introductions and Objectives

Course Overview; my approach to writing and teaching of it (handout).

A.D.D. Foundations

Suggested Readings: “Where are you Going, Where Have you Been?” and "Powder."

In-Class Exercise: Trigger Exercise #1 &b #1.1 (concrete nouns)

February 3
Physical Description

Talk about parts of “Where are you Going, Where Have you Been?” and "Powder."

Due: 500 word description of concrete noun.

In-Class Object Exercises

In-Class: Trigger Exercise #6
                 Abstract/Concrete Noun joining (simile) practice

Assign: Trigger Exercise #10 and #32

Read: "Cathedral"

February 10
Description

Action Writing Concepts: Readings and Film Examples

Due/Share: Object Description Exercise (Trigger Exercises #10 and #32)

Talk about parts of "Cathedral"

Analyze: Smoke Signals scenes.

In-Class Exercises: Painting and Movie Scene exercise. 

Suggested Readings:  and "Say Yes" (click here for "Audio" version; scroll down a bit) and “Hills like White Elephants.”  

Assign: Trigger Exercise #9 and #16

February 17

Dialogue Concepts.

Due: Trigger Exercise #9 and #16

Discuss: “Hills like White Elephants” and "Say Yes."

In-Class Exercises:  “Coffee and Cigarettes”

Assign: Trigger Exercise #15

Read: "A Small, Good Thing"

February 24
 

"A Small, Good Thing”

Due: Story or scene of 3,000 words or less suggested by an exercise, or combination of exercises, in the class. Please do not submit something written before the class started. Bring seven paper copies (one for each group mate and one for me). Please double-space and use 12 point Times font or larger. (14 point font is not something I hate; it's easy on the eyes).

In-Class: Trigger Exercise 9.1

March 3
 

Workshop stories and scenes

©Scott Wrobel, 2008