Author Archives: sdgibson
Scene and summary
Identify the differences between scene and summary in “The Zebra Storyteller” by Spencer Hoist below and in Lan Samatha Chang’s “The Eve of the Spirit Festival” in the PDF that follows. The Zebra Storyteller Spencer Hoist Once upon a time … Continue reading
3420 final exam
Identify fiction-writing techniques by quoting two examples (if you are taking this class as 3420) or four examples (if you are taking this class as 4420) you find in the story I’ve handed out. Explain why each quotation from step … Continue reading
Fiction writing strategies/techniques
A hasty, tentative list: Characterization Appearance, thought, action, dialogue, direct statements, other characters’ reactions Decisions Stories characters tell characterize them What physical objects do they surround themselves with? Plot Character’s desires made manifest; objections encountered and wrestled with: Desire + … Continue reading
Small groups and reading questions
Form small groups to address each of these sets of questions. What sort of “contract with the reader” is created early in each story? What expectations are likely in readers as a result of the way each story begins? Discuss … Continue reading
First sentences and a rough draft
From Metro: Journeys in Writing Creatively, this exercise has lead me to very rough first drafts. Try it.
Story shapes
Consider these graphs. Once you’ve finished a draft, what might something like this teach you about your work? You might try it and see. by mayaeilam. Explore more visuals like this one on the web’s largest information design community … Continue reading
Towards characterization: Secrets and Contradictions
Read this brief essay on characterization by David Corbett. Give your main character a secret and a contradiction. Write paragraphs discussing scenes that might result from each and email them to me.
Parallel novels and you
This discussion of parallel novels may help in understanding our third assignment. A “parallel story” could easily be an example of revision as composition.
Raymond Chandler on writing and revision
Throw up into your typewriter every morning. Clean up every afternoon. –Raymond Chandler
1000 words a day
Some excellent advice here: “How Writing 1000 Words a Day Changed My Life.”
Metaphor by Metaphor 