Author Archives: sdgibson
Basic story structures
According to Pixar (in part), Once upon a time there was ___. Every day, ___. One day ___. Because of that, ___. Because of that, ___. Until finally ___. Jim Shooter, Introduce the character Little Miss Muffett Introduce … Continue reading
Scene setup: a form to get you started
Scene Setup Time and place: Props: Five senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, taste): Characters: Dialogue: Actions: Large: Small: Inner life: Motives, agendas, wants, choices: Conflict/tension: Exit line: Causal relationship with the next scene: (This is a variation on Robert J. … Continue reading
Don’t Do This
Jerome Stern’s Making Shapely Fiction is full of good advice. Here’s an excerpt that will save you years of work.
Workshop
This PDF contains anonymously submitted work for the review of English 2250 students.
Conflict, connection, and pattern
Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction describes a way of adding tension to poetry and prose without using power shifts and conflict. This PDF will give you a sense of what she’s talking about. Also, consider this sestina and the instructions for … Continue reading
“Johnny Cash,” “Adelso,” and “Lizard”
Thinking about the poetry criteria attached to the syllabus, read “Johnny Cash,” “Adelso,” and “Lizard.” Also, consider these contemporary sonnets.
The scale of abstraction
The writing that interests readers in poems or prose is usually low on the scale of abstraction. It is writing that presents concrete details and avoids abstract generalities or commentary. Abstractions are necessary in some cases, but more often interesting … Continue reading
Visual triggers for writing
Here are two PDFs that can help you start writing poetry or prose. Both are intended to evoke ideas. The first is by Tom Gauld. You can buy copies online. The other is a postcard that came in my mail. … Continue reading
Summer plans
We’re reading The River at the Center of the World so we can feel prepared for our big trip.
Searching Moby-Dick
Looking for a searchable electric edition of Moby-Dick? You’ve found it.
Metaphor by Metaphor 