English 221: Intro to Creative Writing
Agenda:  April 17, 2008

• In Class Writing: Ground Situation and Text and Subtext:
• Imagine two characters with a significant shared history between them. In four sentences or less, write a description of their shared history. (In essence, this is a brief sketch of a ground situation.)
• On a separate sheet of paper, write a short scene ( a page or so) which includes dialogue, and which contains both of these characters. In this scene of dialogue, do not directly reveal this shared past. Your task is to imply this shared past and its effect on the present moment, without stating it explicitly. Your task is to convey this shared past through subtext. Remember that your task is to stage confrontations. Remember also that these two characters, even if at one time in the past, wanted the same things, they do not (can not) want the same things now. Them wanting different things is what will generate the conflict. Finally, try to make them equals.
• SWAP your scene with a peer. DO NOT swap the shared history.
• Read each other’s scenes and discuss what you guess is the shared history between the two characters and how this geuss compares to the author’s intent.
• Quiz & Discussion on Bigfoot Stole My Wife

FOR NEXT TIME: 4/22:

WRITE: a rough draft, minimum of 6 pages, double-spaced, typed, of your short story, following the guidelines handed out during the last class. In class on Tuesday, we will conduct another peer workshop, where you swap this draft with a peer and receive feedback. You must bring a hardcopy to class. I will count this hardcopy, that you have, in class, as a quiz grade. (If you have the hardcopy to swap, you get full credit, if you don't, no credit.)

To think about: While you're drafting, think about "an interesting mistake" for which there is cost and consequence, that your character might make. (Think of Leonardo.)