In this 12 week class, we will explore nine different types of fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, adventure and more (full list below).
 
Our class will follow a three-genre cycle in which we will spend time exploring a work of fiction together from one of the genre categories, then choose a prompt to use as a jumping-off point for our own ‘fragment narratives’ of that genre type. We will follow author Natalie Goldberg’s vision of “Wild Mind Writing” for the prompt work, which we will discuss. Read more about Natalie Goldberg’s writing approach here: https://www.thesunmagazine.org/articles/26471-wild-mind
 
After we have completed a single prompt narrative, we will open the floor to anyone who would like to share their work aloud. If you do not wish to read aloud or share your work at this point, you do not have to.
 
After we have finished a cycle of three prompt narratives in Wild Mind fashion, everyone will choose ONE narrative to extend and revise, turning it into a full short story. Extensions/revisions will be done mostly outside of class (But we will have a little class time for this) and brought to class on due dates.
 
We will write a total of three complete short stories in any three genres that you would like, as long as the three are different from each other.
 
Everyone will submit finalized stories, and we will ‘workshop’ each one together (more on workshop below). The option to have a classmate or me read completed stories aloud is available. 

Genres we will cover:
 
Science fiction
Fantasy
Satire
Eerie/horror
Adventure
Romance (OR Gothic Romance) 
Memoir (the only non-fiction in the series)
Dystopia
Fairy Tale


WHAT IS WRITING WORKSHOP and how does it differ from Wild Mind prompts?
 
In prompt sharing, we will observe ONLY elements of peers’ work that we particularly like; however, in workshop, we engage in deeper critique with classmates’ work (keeping a supportive approach).
 
Writing workshop is a critique process in which we examine the revised, polished narratives or poems of classmates and offer clear, helpful and honest feedback. Because our Wild Mind prompts are not revised, we offer only positive feedback. In workshop, we do more extensive critique.
 
WHAT ARE WILD MIND PROMPTS?
 
Wild mind prompts are sessions where you respond to a writing prompt with the first ideas that come to your mind. Generally, when we write narratives, we are encouraged to plan our ideas out before we start. With the Wild Mind approach, we do the opposite. For this, we dive into writing without thinking too much beforehand, tapping into ‘first thoughts’ and allowing ourselves to tell stories without slowing our thoughts down with ‘editing mind.’ (Editing mind will be invited to the party later!) This writing approach comes from Natalie Goldberg, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native who has written several books on the craft of writing. We will look at her ideas more in depth in class.