Writing Prompt #4

What do you do everyday-or on a regular basis? Write a poem/story/creative non fiction about showering or jogging or cooking and so on. Try in the poem (or whatever) to get at the way you perform this particular activity that might be different from someone else.

Writing Prompt #3

Take an old family photograph (with you in it) and study it. What do you see in it that is similar to your life today, to the persona you've become? What is vaguely similar? What bears no resemblance or suggests nothing memorable? What ended up as opposite of what you see? Explain this to yourself. What faces - teachers, relatives, friends, neighbors, nemeses, strangers, pets - appear unbidden? Connect with something old so that it becomes new. Look and imagine.

Writing Prompt #2- First Line Auction

Write a line of poetry or prose that seems to be a strong opening line. Be prepared to discuss why your line is a first line rather than a line that might function equally well in a different content, and to describe the poem or story you envision following your line in terms of ideas and form.

 After we discuss your line, students will "bid." You must agree to give your line to the student whose suggestion, enthusiasm, or oddball approach most pleases you.

Next class , bring in a poem or a story draft beginning with your "purchased line."

Writing Prompt #1

Make a list of some of the most memorable events in your life. Some of them will be large - a death, a break up, some goal you finally accomplished. But list the small things too - things you always remembered as special and important in some way. When you're finished you should have a list of subjects for poems which could take you years to write. For now, start a poem about one of the events you've listed; every so often, you can go back to the list and pick another one.

First Class 2/18

Welcome to Creative Writing! Today we will review texts, complete first day forms, do a writing prompt and read Theodore Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz". Be sure to bring your laptops for Thursday to begin your own blog!