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-   -   Creative Writing 101 - Sign ups (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=322885)

Nolafus March 31st, 2014 12:33 PM

Creative Writing 101 - Sign ups
 
Hello everyone! Today, I'm coming forward with an idea that I think would be really fun and educational at the same time. Not only for you, but for me as well.

I realize that a lot of people here like writing, but they're afraid to post their work, or they're afraid that their writing isn't good. In order to help, I'm going to try to do a creative writing class right here on PC. This may sound a little crazy, but hear me out.

Every Monday, (hopefully starting next week) I'll post a thread explaining a different point of writing. From writing believable dialogue, to showing v telling, I'll try my best to cover it all. If you have any questions about that lesson, there will be a discussion going on below in the comments, and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. In addition to the thread, I will also be assigning "homework". Before you roll your eyes and go away, the homework will the optional. It's only meant for the people that have the free time to do it, and want the most out of this opportunity. Just submit the homework to me via PM, and I'll do my best to provide specific feedback on what you're doing. It won't take too long, so don't worry about it. So I do have some time to grade it, I will only be taking homework up until the Saturday of the week that the thread was posted. After that, I hold the right to refuse to work on it.

Don't worry, this is going to be a lot simpler than it seems. All threads will remain open for discussion, even after the thread for next week is posted. If you're already the world's greatest expert on plotting, you can skip the week where we cover plotting, and pick right back up the next week. If Sally completely forgets to look at this the first two weeks, then Sally can join in on the third week. If Billy decides that writing isn't really for him, then Billy can stop. Basically, the only things that will be on a schedule is me, and the homework. Other than that, you guys are free to jump around to the various threads and contribute to the discussions.

As currently planned, this will be a seven week class. We will cover a huge variety of topics every writer must face. The purpose of this thread is to gauge the interest level in something like this. You can post below any questions you may have, whether or not you would be interested in something like this, and if you would like to receive PM/VM notifications from me whenever a new thread is posted. Let me know what you think!

Nathan March 31st, 2014 2:42 PM

Yes, yes! Count me in! I'd like to learn to be a better writer so hopefully I'll be more confident about my work :3

Nolafus March 31st, 2014 3:14 PM

Oh, I guess that I should mention that this will be a back to basics course. So, this is angled more for new writers, but if you're an experienced writer and want to go back to the basics, then this is great for you!

bobandbill March 31st, 2014 4:17 PM

Generic sign up post whee. At the very least I'll read discussions/say stuff, haha. We'll see what time allows.
Quote:

Just submit the homework to me via PM, and I'll do my best to provide specific feedback on what you're doing.
Maybe homework could be submitted in the thread, so everyone can comment on it? Multiple opinions, discussion can arise from that too, etc.

Also, what sort of homework can one expect as well. I mean, I know already, but the members may not. ;p

Nolafus March 31st, 2014 6:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobandbill (Post 8176837)
Maybe homework could be submitted in the thread, so everyone can comment on it? Multiple opinions, discussion can arise from that too, etc.

Also, what sort of homework can one expect as well. I mean, I know already, but the members may not. ;p

The reason why it's just me looking at this homework is that a lot of people seem to want to write, but they're afraid to post their work publicly. So, having everyone look at their homework might be a little intimidating. If it's just me looking at their work, I hope to make it less stressful, especially if they're just starting out.

Alright, here's the skeleton of what this class is going to look like:
Spoiler:
Week 1:
What is a story?
This lesson will focus on what a story is all about. From hidden messages, to explaining what a story is made up of, it all goes here.
Homework assignment: Coming up with your own story idea.

Week 2:
Character Creation
This will cover everything you need to know about character creation. From motives, to tactics on fleshing them out is what this week is all about.
Homework Assignment: I will provide a list of ten questions that the "students" will fill out to flesh out a character.

Week 3:
Dialogue
Since dialogue can be really confusing, everything ranging from making dialogue that sounds real, to grammar will go here.
Homework: Fixing a chunk of dialogue presented by me.

Week 4:
Character Interaction
This week is all about combining the previous two weeks' lessons and setting the stage for believable character interaction. We'll be covering conversations, and body language here.
Homework assignment: Writing out an interaction between two characters.

Week 5:
Plotting
Now that we have the building blocks of a great story with characters, it's time to cover what the characters will be doing. From the message of the story, to main events, it's going here.
Homework assignment: Coming up with a main event to a story.

Week 6:
The beginning, the middle, and the end
This week is all about flow, and making sure you get from point A to point B reasonably. I'll be covering stuff like the dreaded information dump in the beginning, to unresolved conflicts in the end.
Homework assignment: Writing a beginning to a story.

Week 7:
Showing v Telling
This week is all about what is quite possibly the hardest thing about writing. This will take everything I have taught, and teaching how to get it across effectively.
Homework assignment: I'll tell a scene, and they will write it back to me, but showing.

El Héroe Oscuro March 31st, 2014 7:34 PM

This sounds like a blast - count me in!

bobandbill March 31st, 2014 8:55 PM

Fair enough point there. Still, if I do any I might just post it in the thread too (probably in a spoiler) because I like opinions. :B

Nolafus March 31st, 2014 8:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobandbill (Post 8177188)
Fair enough point there. Still, if I do any I might just post it in the thread too (probably in a spoiler) because I like opinions. :B

Yeah, that's always an option too. How about this? People who don't want to show their homework can just submit it to me, but if you're looking for more feedback, you can post it in the discussion below.

Legendary Silke March 31st, 2014 9:00 PM

I think I'm going to be in, too.

Chocolate™ March 31st, 2014 9:01 PM

I'd like to join this. It sounds pretty cool.......

Anyway, this is a nice opportunity to improve my writing.

Dansparce March 31st, 2014 9:11 PM

Yeah, I'll sign up for this. Although, I might need a reminder when you actually get started on it.

Nolafus March 31st, 2014 9:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dansparce (Post 8177215)
Yeah, I'll sign up for this. Although, I might need a reminder when you actually get started on it.

No worries, I can do that!

countryemo April 1st, 2014 2:06 AM

I'm interested! I did take a creative writing class in highschool butwe were hardly taught and it was more just write a story around given theme and share it.

I might need a reminder too. So we can submit and also share if we want? Sounds good. I look forward to enhancing my writing! :)

Fernbutter April 1st, 2014 2:43 AM

I think this will help a bit with my writing, this should be fun so...

Count me in!

Fenris April 1st, 2014 7:21 AM

I'm not entirely sure I'll be able to make it the first week, but this definitely looks like something I'd love to take part in! Consider this a sign up!

Mochika Rage April 1st, 2014 9:31 AM

This seems really cool, I'll join!

I might need reminding too, because I'm not good at using this strange machines people call memories.

Mr. Flix April 1st, 2014 9:49 AM

Count me in, I can never learn enough about writing!

Nolafus April 1st, 2014 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryemo (Post 8177503)
I'm interested! I did take a creative writing class in highschool butwe were hardly taught and it was more just write a story around given theme and share it.

Unfortunately, school never seems like a good place to learn about creative writing, so we're trying it here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrymo
I might need a reminder too. So we can submit and also share if we want? Sounds good. I look forward to enhancing my writing! :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mochika Rage
I might need reminding too, because I'm not good at using this strange machines people call memories.

Alrighty, I can send reminders out!

Yay, people are signing up! I'm so happy. :D

starseed galaxy auticorn April 1st, 2014 10:18 AM

I'll join! I don't want to let an opportunity like this pass me by. :3

Oh, and I might need reminders too. I'm very forgetful and sometimes spacey. If something's not in my routine, it's usually easier for me to forget about it.

Nolafus April 1st, 2014 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loki of Sassgard (Post 8178195)
I'll join! I don't want to let an opportunity like this pass me by. :3

Oh, and I might need reminders too. I'm very forgetful and sometimes spacey. If something's not in my routine, it's usually easier for me to forget about it.

Can do! I'm extremely forgetful too, so I know what that's like.

Tsutarja April 2nd, 2014 1:08 AM

Really wish you did this when the semester was over :( but still nonetheless, count me in!

moon April 2nd, 2014 2:53 AM

Considering how erratic my writing has been over the past couple of weeks, you might have to spank me when I fail to deliver homework in time. But since it's all for my own sake and not hurting anyone else, I can at least try 8) Sign me up, please.

Phantom April 2nd, 2014 7:36 PM

I'm not signing up for the class, but I am offering assistance any way I can. Slayr I already talked to you about it a bit.

Rediamond April 2nd, 2014 7:36 PM

I am interested. I returned to writing a few months ago, but I've found that seeing too many perspectives isn't really a problem that happens in writing.

Kanzler April 4th, 2014 7:08 AM

ohmygosh, i think this will be really fun! signing up!


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