Creative Blogging

Final project reminders

2007-05-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

Full instructions and resources for the final project can be found at: http://akinslitmagazine.blogspot.com/2007/04/final-portfolio-project-preview.html

When you are finished, you MUST fill out a cover sheet (the sub has them if you finish early).

You have until the end of the final exam period to finish everything.
Tuesday, May 22, 9am-11am

Other reminders.
If you still owe WORD magazine Money, you MUST give it to me on Tuesday.
My Email is mconnoll@austinisd.org if you have any questions.

Be good and do well.

Substitute Plans

2007-05-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

Keep writing and working on your portfolio.
I'll be in and out.

Be well and do good.
Keep selling Word!

Vote for your favorite starter

2007-05-03T06:41:00.000-07:00

Read through all of the writing starters posted on the blogs. Leave a comment for your favorite and explain why.

We'll check the winner tomorrow.

After you have read, pick the favorite that you wrote and start drafting it into a full piece.

Sub Plans

2007-05-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

You should have FOUR story starters done and posted by the end of the period on May 2.

First three - Below

Number four - View all of the photos at this site (click here) , pick ONE photo, and write a story inspired by it. Right click on the photo, save it, and upload it to your blog so we can see what inspired you.

Daily Writing starters collection 1 - from writingfix.com

2007-04-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

Daily fun writing starter Instructions - Spend some time looking through these writing starters. Choose one and WRITE! for at least 15 minutes ON YOUR BLOG. Start your blog entry by noting which starter you decided to use.

5ws game
Make sure you push each button once to make one complete sentence. Keep pressing buttons until you find a sentence you REALLY like. Then...can you move the when and the where to places in your sentence where they sound more interesting? Click here to see how writers do this.
After you have re-shaped your sentence, can you write a story that contains that sentence? Could it be your first sentence? Or your last sentence? Or a sentence in the middle of your story?
And here's a cool idea! As you write, try to establish sentence rhythm by going back and forth between longer and shorter sentences.

Start and Stop Game
Click on the button below until you find an adjective that inspires a fun story or a scene from a story in your mind. Sometimes just one good word can put a whole story idea in your head! Click the button below until that happens.
The object of the Start & Stop Game is to include the word you're given below in BOTH your first sentence and your last sentence. Can you do it without simply repeating the first sentence at the end?

Title Story Starters
Press the button below until you find a title that strikes you as a good one...then write a story that could be titled that! Or a poem! Or a descriptive paragraph! Let the title show how important it is to whatever you choose to write.

Serendiptous title starters
Press the button below until you find a title that strikes you as a good one...then write a story that could be titled that! Or a poem! Or a descriptive paragraph! Let the title show how important it is to whatever you choose to write.

Sentence Starters
Press the button below until you find a sentence you really like. Write down that one sentence...feel free to add words to it or modify it slightly, if you wish...then write the rest of the story that follows the strong first sentence. Or write a poem! Or just a paragraph!

Final Portfolio Project Preview

2007-04-25T06:08:00.000-07:00

As a final capstone project that counts as both a major grade for the sixth six weeks and a final exam grade, you will create a portfolio of your work that will be posted on the web.

You will be graded on the following:

Completeness of all parts of the portfolio
All final drafts are in correct format (manuscript or screenplay)
Quality of work including (Expert use of language, perfect proofing, adherence to style of particular genre.
Documents are properly saved using correct naming structure

Portfolio Template:

1. My best work

Piece One Title (will be linked to Word manuscript)
150-250 word description of the piece, including description of your writing process for this piece and your goals in writing it.

Piece Two Title (will be linked to Word manuscript)
150-250 word description of the piece, including description of your writing process for this piece and your goals in writing it.

Piece Three Title (will be linked to Word manuscript)
150-250 word description of the piece, including description of your writing process for this piece and your goals in writing it.

2. My process (One piece)

Example of prewriting (transcribed from notebook or copied from blog)
- 100 to 200 word description of my prewriting process
Example of early draft (transcribed from notebook, copied from blog, or saved)
- 100 to 200 word description of my drafting process
Example of feedback / response I received (transcribed from feedback or copied from blog)
- 100 to 200 word description of what type of feedback and response I find useful and how I go about getting it.
Example of finished proofed draft
- 100 to 200 word description of my drafting and proofing process

3. My range (Examples of at least two other types of pieces I attempted)
Piece One Title (genre)
Piece Two Title (genre)

FAQ:

How will I do this if I don't have all of my pieces or examples of my process ?
Sure you do! They are either saved in your folder or posted on your blog. If you still need to fill out the portfolio, there is still time. You will be writing at least one more piece of your choice, and we will have several writing days.

How do I save my documents?
Create a folder in your student folder named "portfolio"
Files should be saved in there as follows "lastname_firstname_title" in the case of the process pieces, replace the title section with the stage of the process (prewriting, early draft etc.)

How do I create my web page?
Copy and paste the template from above into a word document. Replace the placeholder text with your actual words. Under each piece title, type the file name of the piece that will be linked.
Save this as "lastname_firstname_web" and I'll take it from there.

Substitute lesson

2007-04-23T03:51:00.000-07:00

Publish your "I want" piece.

First - post it to your blog, and then read other posts on other blogs and make comments.

Second - make any last minute changes you would like, and then post this to "future me" - The link is in the assignment below. Send it to yourself at least twice ( 1 year from now, 10 years from now)- That's right send yourself an email in 2017. You may send it at other times also.

What do you want - Really ?

2007-04-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

After we listen to and discuss Elizabeth Crane's “Football,” read by Martha Lavey from NPR's series, "Selected Shorts" you will do the following:

On your blog - Capture you thoughts about the story:

Discuss the rhythm of the story. How does Elizabeth Crane create rhythm in her story. What language devices and rhetorical techniques does she use, and how do these speed up/ slow down the pace of the story. How do the shifts in pacing mirror and support the shifts in tone? Consider repetition, use of vivid details vs. summary, narrative tone (humorous, nostalgic, poignant, realistic etc.)

After our class writing exercise:
In Microsoft Word - Start drafting your own "I want" story in the style of "Football"

Choose from one of the following:
1. Start with where you are today, and write a first person narrative based on a series of "I want" phrases that move chronologically through your death and possibly beyond.
2. Start with your mother or father's high school years, and write a first person narrative from either of their points of view using the "I want" phrase to describe their lives (and yours eventually).
3. Instead of "I want" come up with another phrase that you will repeat as you describe the current and future events of your life in narrative form.
4. Use one of the characters you have been developing this year as the narrator of an "I want" narrative.

Publishing-When you have taken the draft through the process, publish the final product by mailing it to yourself in the future. Go to futureme.org and copy and paste your story into the window. Choose a date on which to mail it to yourself (one year from now? ten years?)

Resources:

Listen to the story by clicking here. Note that "football" is the second story in the program, so you must either enjoy the first story, or let the show buffer for a while and then fast forward.
Read Elizabeth Crane's blog. Consider leaving her a comment or sending her an email.
Buy her book, "All This Heavenly Glory"

Substitute Assignment

2007-03-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

Writing assignment:
I am eagerly reading and writing feedback to you on your first drafts. As you have time over the next few days, continue to revise.

Reading assignment:
Keep reading your historical fiction book. Have it finished by Monday, we are going to do an activity next week that will involve you having finished your books.

By Friday - On your blog - Write the title and author of your book, and then copy a segment (between 50 and 250 words) that you think is a really cool writing "trick" that the author pulled off. In other words, a section that grabbed you as a reader and had an effect on you. Again, we will be working with these next week, so please have it posted.

-Be good and write well

Historical Fiction Review by Mr. Murphry

2007-03-08T06:45:00.000-08:00

Stories that portray and provide information about a specific time period
Review
*Setting is the key literary element in HF*

Research the time period thoroughly to create accurate and authentic settings

Fictional characters, settings and plot must be portrayed authentically as if they could have actually happened

Getting Started: Setting
Consider the following questions about your chosen historical period by answering the following…

How did people live during this period?
Under what conditions?
What did they eat?
What physical artifacts were common in their everyday lives?

Elaborate on these examples and formulate your own questions based on what interests you.

Criteria
Present a well-told story that doesn't conflict with history
Portray characters realistically
Present authentic settings
Artfully incorporate historical facts - Don’t change history
Avoid stereotypes and myths.

Use Details!!!
Incorporate research based details into setting, characters, and plot
Specific details about the historical period help the reader develop greater understanding and will add depth and meaning to your story
Because you, the author, are writing about a particular time in history, the information about that period must be accurate, authentic, or both

Historical fiction preview

2007-02-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

Our next unit will be on historical fiction.

First we should know the basics of what it is.

Read the wikipedia entry on the topic here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_fiction

Notice that there is a long list of historical fiction writers and works toward the bottom of the entry. Browse through some of these.

Next, we must read some historical fiction to be able to write it.

Go to the Akins library online catalog and see what we have to offer:

In a web browser address window, type "webcat" (no www or http) and hit return.
This will bring you to the main search page.
Select "High Schools > Akins " and hit > "Search My School"
Either search for an author or title that you are interested in from the Wiki post, or
Search for - subject > historical fiction and see everything in the genre.

Your assignment is to have a book in class on Thursday and to have read enough of it to give a SHORT oral report on what it is about and the style of the writing. The book does not have to be from our library.

Eternal Sunshine Response

2007-01-31T07:25:00.000-08:00

As we have actively watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I'm sure you have lots of ideas and thoughts that you can integrate into your short screenplay. Capture these!

Describe any interesting, troublesome or thought provoking examples of characterization or plot from Eternal Sunshine.

Describe at least one technique you want to try in you screenplay.

Describe one aspect of Eternal Sunshine that won't work in the short format.

Movie Response

2007-01-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

First - Read over your response to the "Dramatic Exercise" (Jan. 11 post). Remind yourself some ways that a short film are different from a feature.

Next - Write a full response to each of the following questions about "Eternal Sunshine"

1. What are some of the ways that the writer (Charlie Kaufman) created character in the movie? In other words how does the audience get to know who Joel and Clementine are? Give examples of direct characterization (things that are actually stated about the characters) and indirect characterization (clues given to the audience about what type of people they are.)

2. In your short screenplay (10 minutes max), which of these techniques can you use, and which won't work?

3. What are some of the ways that the writer (Charlie Kaufman) handled the plot? Especially focus on exposition. How does he let us know who the characters are and what is happening? How does he handle conflict? How does he handle climax?

4. What, in a short film, are the limitations that you have to deal with with plot? Consider what you read in the "Dramatic Exercise" assignment.

With any time you have left, start working on your screenplay.

screenplay practice

2007-01-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

Go to the Screenplay writing / Formatting link, and read all of the rules (don't bother with the software tips etc.)

Start thinking in scenes.
A good short film is comprised of excellent tight scenes that revolve around a central concept, conflict, or question.

Brainstorm - Post a list of at least ten situations that might make a good short film.

Try scripting ONE scene of ONE of the situations using the proper formatting. Do this in a WORD document.

Dramatic Exercise

2007-01-11T06:37:00.000-08:00

Open the Drafting the short screenplay (Because of Mama) link.
Copy and paste the following into a post on your blog, and answer the questions or follow the directions fully.

Writing the Short Film
What is the rule of thumb for the length of a movie/ number of pages of the script?
What are the major ways that short films differ from feature films.

Conceiving Our Story
What is the "Dramatic Moment" in the film?
What are the major conflicts/ questions in "Because of Mama?"

Determining the Structure
The writer claims that for a short screenplay "a good story needs to have an archetypal storyline and a big idea." Why does he state this, and do you agree?

Read the Step Outline.

Discovering/Crafting Images
What is exposition, and how did the writers decide to handle it in the example they give?

Writing Scenes. Beginnings, Middles, Ends / Tips for Writing Engaging Scenes
Read carefully - you will be writing scenes.
What are the three things you read in these sections that you found the most interesting/ helpful and that you will implement.

Exercises- Do exercise #1

Dramatic Writing

2007-01-10T07:33:00.000-08:00

Screenplay writing / Formatting

Movie Scripts
Eternal Sunshine screenplay

Clerks Script
Clerks Video Clips

Drafting the short screenplay (Because of Mama)
Because of mama script

Share, Preferences, Read, Give Feedback

2007-01-09T05:58:00.000-08:00

Step One- Five Minutes
Copy and paste the best piece(s) from your portfolio (They will be online this Friday) to your blog.

Type - Do Not Publish if you don't want us to consider publishing this piece in WORD. Otherwise, we will.

Step two - 15 minutes
Read one to three pieces from other people in the class.

Step three- Time remaining
Post comments to the people who wrote the pieces you read. Comment on the following:

1. What part/ aspect of the writing affected you the most as a reader and how did it affect you?
2. Were there any parts that lost you a little bit as a reader? What parts and how?
3. Would you rate this piece as ready or not ready for publication (AKA - perfect) and why

Final exam Wrap Up

2006-12-19T06:02:00.000-08:00

1. In your shared folder, make a folder named "Fall_Final" and save the following:
A. Your Best Work piece saved as "bw_title_xx" where "title" = a maximum 8 letter title, and "xx"= your initials
B. At least three other pieces that show your range saved as "rng_title_xx" where "title" = a maximum 8 letter title, and "xx"= your initials

Remember - All pieces must be saved as Microsoft Word files, and must be formatted in Manuscript format.

When you are finished, email me the following to mconnoll@austinisd.org
Your name
The computer number where all of the files are saved.

DRAFT PRINT DAY

2006-12-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the end of the period, EVERYONE will print their drafts for me in MANUSCRIPT FORMAT.

I will give you feedback ASAP. The feedback must be used (unless it's a suggestion) on the final.

How's the writing going?

2006-12-07T21:43:00.000-08:00

Keep writing. If you want any comments, post it to your blog. I'll look at them this weekend. Use your time well. I'll see you on Monday.

-Connolly

Remember to check the blog every day

2006-12-06T05:43:00.000-08:00

Today-
Continue working on pieces for your portfolio. Remember that everything has to be in manuscript format.

Also - The sub has you second semester schedule, make sure you pick it up.

Have a great day.

-Connolly

The Electronic Portfolio

2006-12-04T05:55:00.000-08:00

Preview some portfolios, and start working on your own.

Click here to view and read some of the portfolios from last year.

For your semester final you must have at least the following:
1. At least one piece for the "My Best Work" section
2. At least three pieces for the "My Range" section
3. A piece that you are going to use an example of your process.
4. A completed template.
5. A short essay explaining your writing process.

Start exploring poetic forms

2006-11-21T06:13:00.000-08:00

First- Make sure you have gone to the poetic forms website (Here) and chosen FOUR forms you wish to attempt.

Second - You will make one post for each form. Start doing this. I reccomend that you compose your posts in Microsoft Word, and then copy and paste them into Blogger.

Outline of each form post

Title: Name of Form

First paragraph: Briefly explain the form (yes you can copy and paste from the web site.

Second paragraph: Give a good example of the form that you did NOT find on the poetic forms website. Do some research. Copy it from a book or another web site. Make sure you give full credit to the writer and the publication by including a citation. (Check out the citation machine for MLA citation style.)

Third paragraph: Write your own, original attempt at the poetic form.

Enjoy - I will enjoy reading them.

Due dates - Post One , Monday Nov.27 - Post Two, Wed. Nov. 29 - Post Three, Friday Dec. 1, Post Four, Monday Dec. 4

Updates - Check here for assignments and news

2006-10-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

New Update (11/17/06) -----------------------------

Poetic forms
Yesterday we discussed what makes poetry good, and we decided the following that the following attributes can lead to good poetry:

Important Subject or meaning, Focus on Rhythm in language, Sound supports meaning, Free use of language, Use of Metaphor / imagery, use of Rhyme, Ambiguity Makes you think, Layered meaning make reader work, Common made awesome, Focus on feelings

Today you will investigate some forms of poetry, and decide which ones you want to be intimate with and attempt.

Go to this poetic forms website, and read about several of the forms. Choose four that you want to get to know better and attempt.

New Update (11/07/06) -----------------------------

The Romance
Boy meets girl
Boy and girl fall in love
Boy and girl are physically or metaphorically separated
Boy and girl overcome incredible odds to be together (Usually the boy ends up saving the girl)They live happily ever after

The Horror
Person is horribly wronged (usually not revealed at beginning)
Wronged person is turned into monster
Monster, in warped attempt to make things right or seek revenge, kills lots of people in gruesome way
Hero is the only one smart enough to figure out the Monster
Hero uses insight to kill or cure monster

Contest
Use one or more of the characters you have created this year (or a new one) and put them in a typical Romance or Horror Story
500 words maximum
We will read them Monday
Best of each type of story will win a prize

Also by Monday– Find a printed example of a Romance or horror story (maybe in a blue book?) and be ready to discuss it.

New Update (11/02/06) -----------------------------
Post your science fiction attempt (about 250 words) to your blog by 11/03

New Update (11/01/06) -----------------------------

The twist in science fiction

We have discussed how science fiction writers change the rules of the natural world through technology or some kind of natural event.

And, we have discussed how the "distopia" is one of the favorite themes of science fiction writers because they like to use the genre to ironically point out what is wrong or could go wrong with humanity.

Your Turn.

First, brainstorm at least ten very common situations:
Example:
Halloween, Honeymoon, Cooking breakfast, Starting a new job, Playing a videogame

Then, brainstorm at least ten unbreakable rules of our Universe:
Example:
The future happens after the past, people can't be in two places at once etc.

Then, brainstorm at least ten current or future potential problems with humanity or society:
Example:
Hunger, Greed, War etc.

Finally - Write!
Choose one common situation- This will be the setting of your story.
Choose one unbreakable rule to break- This will lead to conflict in your story.
Choose one human problem- This will also lead to conflict / climax.

Write a one sentence synopsis of this story.
Example:
One day, while I was cooking breakfast, I realized that I was simultaneously back on the battlefield of the cyborg war ten years earlier.

Write some more synopses until you hit one you like, and start writing the story. You must write at least 250 words. You may choose to do more.

New Update (10/30/06) -----------------------------

Start thinking about your portfolio
You will be completing a portfolio composed of at least four pieces and three different Genres of writing at semester. This will count as your semester exam. You will also have the opportunity to submit it to Scholastic.

Go to the scholastic arts page (below) and READ some of the winners in different writing categories. Also continue reading pieces in your blue book.

On your blog, list at least three genres that you are interested in attempting.

______________________________
Hannah Analysis

Post the following on your blog based on "Hannah" by Lena Weber.

After reding the first two paragraphs, what was your impression of what the plot of the story would be?

Did that impression change? If so, when?

Copy your favorite image, and explain what effect it had on you as a reader.

What would you say is the overall theme of the story, and how was this created?

Copy a part of the story where the writer gave you significant insight into a character. Explain what the insight is. Did the writer tell you or show you this?

Ending- Do you feel satisfied with the ending? Why or why not?

Writing Strategies

2006-08-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

Check here for regularly updated writing strategies.

08/22/06 - Stratgy #1 - Looping
08/24/06 - Strategy #2 - The Snapshot

Publication Opportunities

2005-08-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

This post will be updated regularly. Check back often, and share any opportunities you find with the class by emailing me or giving me a hard copy.

Pre Publication

Writer's Notebook
The writer's notebook is the place where writers in the creative writing class generate writing through structured writing time in class as well as on their own time. Click here to view the rubric used for grading the notebooks.

Creative Writing Blog
Students in creative writing class are required to maintain a personal blog. This blog is a place where students can share their writing with others in the Akins writing community, receive comments, and explore many aspects of writing through structured posts. Click here to view the rubric used for grading the blogs.

Peer Feedback
Students will use this to give feedback to their peers. Results will be reported back to them in class.

Contests

Title- Scholastic art and writing awards
Description - The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have celebrated 80 years as a unique presence in our nation's classrooms by identifying and documenting outstanding achievement of young artists and writers in the visual and literary arts. Since 1923, 12 million students have participated, 2 million young artists and writers have been recognized, and $20 million in awards and scholarships have been made available.
Deadline - TBA
Eligibility - The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are open to students enrolled in grades 7 through 12.
Link- http://www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/gallery/

Professional Publications

Duotrope Publication Index

See "Thinking about publication" before you delve in to Duotrope.

Welcome Writers

2005-08-08T06:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the creative writing blog home base. We will be doing focused postings and comments. But, the real beauty of the blog (check that alliteration) is the fact that you can access it any time you want. So, do. Write, comment, enjoy, and grow as a community of writers.

Resources

Preparing your manuscript
Dramatic Writing
Drafting the short screenplay (Because of Mama)
Because of mama script
Slamdance contest rules
Humor Links
Top Ten Tools for Writing Humor

Top 100 poems
Fun Poetry Generator
Forms of Poetry
A lyrical characterization

Rules

Be safe - Remember that this is the WORLD wide web. While great writing often comes from a very personal place, you must be very careful about what you expose to the world. Don't use real names (use initials, aliases or a nom de plume). Don't post real world information such as phone numbers addresses etc. Don't post anything you don't want everyone to read.
Be brave - Share your writing, and be open to%