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Fiction Writing Workshop

ENGL 112.302
instructor(s):
Benn 139
W 2-5

This is a workshop for writers of fiction. You may write in whatever genre you please (i.e. literary realism, fantasy, fabulism, magical realism, science fiction, etc.) as long as your work is innovative and aims to do more than entertain its readers (though this, of course, is also important). During the semester, you'll present drafts of your fiction for the class to discuss, read a wide range of contemporary fiction as well as essays on craft by John Gardner, Francine Prose, and David Lodge. While we will keep our eye on the basics of fiction (i.e., significant detail, character and characterization, point of view, plot, structure, style and voice, setting, etc.) we will explore trickier topics such as unreliable narrators, epiphanies, narrative distance, and syntax and repetition as they seem relevant and compelling. In addition to offering us two stories (that you'll later revise for your portfolio), you'll also keep an informal reading journal and complete a number of shorter exercises that will hopefully push you in new directions. Please submit a brief sample of your work to sjreents@att.net

fulfills requirements
Elective Seminar of the Standard Major
Creative Writing Seminar Requirement of the Creative Writing Track