CRW 330  l  Literature for Writers

Instructor:  Berry, B

Unique #:  34939

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  One of the following: CRW 325 (or E 325), 325F (or E 325F), 325M, 325P (or E 325P).

Description:  “Literature for Writers” will introduce to creative writers literary readings that inspire, motivate, and encourage the best from one’s own work.  Sportswriter Red Smith famously quipped “Writing’s easy.  You just sit down at the typewriter and open a vein.”  But focused assignments and professional advice on what to write and how to do so can make the job easier, ideally resulting in solid, memorable results.  Thoughtful direction, motivation, and imaginative prompts that seek imaginative responses are tools of the trade that I will use to encourage the best writing from my students, forging a strong foundation for the future of your craft, what I like to call the writing life.

We will look with a careful eye at several successful writers whose prose offers highly “teachable” literature.  We will focus on such strategies as point of view, voice, place, atmosphere, author imitation, character names and development, and of course plot.  We will neither study nor be writing sci-fi, fantasy (gothic or otherwise), or YA (as in Young Adult).

Texts:  We will most likely be using a textbook by the aptly named Francine Prose, Reading for Writers: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them.  (I might also be using various writing examples and suggestions from Janet Burroway’s Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft, but this text will not be required.)  We will also be reading Australian writer Kate Jennings’ novel Snake, a unique novel in its plot and telling, probably like nothing you have ever read.  We will read from master stylist Ernest Hemingway’s first story collection, In Our Time, published when Hemingway was 27.  We will also be reading a memoir, which is what I am working on in my own writing at present, so I won’t have a final choice in that important category until nearer the beginning of our course.  I will post required course texts on Canvas when they are available.

Requirements & Grading:  There will be weekly writing briefs, written responses to both the readings and my own writing assignment concoctions (which I try to make challenging, fun, and rewarding).  One piece of writing will be initiated early and revised through the semester.  Specifics will be outlined on the course syllabus, presently a work in progress.

CRW 340F  |  Short Story Workshop

Instructor:  LaSalle, P

Unique #:  34950

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description:  This is an intermediate fiction-writing course.

The student will be responsible for two complete short stories, 10-15 pages each.

Student work will be examined in class with workshop discussion, and the student will meet with the instructor in conference to discuss projects and progress.

There will also be discussion of some larger ideas concerning theory and technique of fiction writing, reading from an anthology of short stories, and a project involving reading and reporting on literary magazines.

Requirements & Grading:  The grade will be a matter, essentially, of the quality of the written work (90%); in-class quizzes and class participation will also be figured in (10%).

This is a writing course with no final exam.

CRW 340F  l  Short Story Workshop

Instructor:  Roberts, E

Unique #:  34955

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description:  This is an intermediate course in writing fiction for students who have already taken Fiction Writing (325F or 325M).  While we will review craft techniques, the class is primarily a workshop—we will spend the majority of class time discussing student work to build both writing and reading/critiquing skills.  All work must be original, written for this class and not for another class taken earlier and concurrently.

Texts:  While the course will focus on workshopping, some published stories will be discussed as illustrations of writing craft.  These stories will be posted on Canvas.

Requirements & Grading:  In this class, you will write two original stories of 3000-6000 words and share detailed 1-2-page critiques of your fellow students’ stories.  Attendance is mandatory; there will be no final exam.  Stories (50%), Class Participation & Critiques (50%).

CRW 340P  l  Poetry Workshop

Instructor:  Bennett, C

Unique #:  34965

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  CRW 325F (or E 325F), or 325M.

Description:  In this workshop you will develop a distinctive writing practice within a community of fellow poets.  Our work will include weekly exercises in poetic craft, class workshops of student poems, and a wide range of readings in poetry and poetics.  Our goal will be to better understand both how different poems achieve their effects and why poets—including yourself—might seek those effects.

Texts:  Course reading will consist equally of 1) original student poems and 2) published poems and essays on poetry and poetics that will provide models for considering and enacting your own poetic practice.

Requirements & Grading:  Over the course of the semester regular assignments will include original poems to be workshopped, creative exercises, a memorization of a poem, and reading and responding to peer poems and other course texts.  Final grades will be based on the successful completion of these weekly assignments (40%); your thoughtful and generous participation in class discussions, activities, and workshops (30%); and a final portfolio of original poems and revisions (30%).  Attendance is mandatory.

CRW 355F  |  Advanced Fiction Workshop

Instructor:  La Salle, P

Unique #:  34975

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  CRW 340F (or E 341).

Description:  This is a course for advanced students in fiction writing; the student will write a total of 30-40 pages of original fiction during the semester.

There will be two dates on which work is due, and on each the student will turn in either a complete short story or an installment from a longer work; if the student is working on a longer project (a novella, for instance), approval must be given by the instructor ahead of time.

Student work will be examined in class with workshop discussion, and the student will meet with the instructor in individual conferences to discuss projects and progress.

There will also be discussion of some larger ideas concerning theory and technique of fiction writing, reading from an anthology of short stories, and a project involving reading and reporting on literary magazines.

Requirements & Grading:  90 percent on writing; 10 per cent on in-class participation and quizzes.

The grade will be a matter, essentially, of the quality of the written work.  This is a writing course with no final exam.

CRW 355F  l  Advanced Fiction Workshop

Instructor:  Harvey, J (aka Edward Carey)

Unique #:  34970

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  CRW 340F (or E 341).

Description:  We will discuss, criticize, and write short fiction.  Students will read each other’s work with rigor and generosity.  Students will write three original stories for class.

Class Policies:  Stories will be submitted via e-mail to your fellow students the morning your story is due.  Make sure your work is double-spaced and page-numbered.

Stories should be at least 8 pages and no longer than 25.  No novel excerpts, please.  All work must be original—both your own work, and written for this class.  Please do not recycle work written for other courses.

Please do not write stories with characters invented by other authors.  And, of course, do not submit work written by other people, even substantially rewritten.  For the purposes of this class, I also ask that you do not allow other people to edit your work.  For additional information on Academic Integrity, see http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acadint.php.

A workshop class is a community, if you do not show up to discuss your colleagues work, there’s no reason for them to read yours with any attention.  Much of what you will learn about fiction will be from each other—you will see how actual readers interpret and respond to your work.  

All work must be original—that is both your own work, and written for this class.  Please do not recycle work written for other courses.  Do not submit work written by other people, even substantially rewritten.  That includes characters and scenarios: please, no fan fiction or alternate versions of other people’s published work.  If you have any questions, please talk to me.  For additional information on Academic Integrity, see http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/acadint.php.

I will meet individually with students on line.

FOR WORKSHOP:  you are required to read the other students’ work and to type at least two paragraphs of respectful critical response.  Please email your critiques to the author and also to me. You are responsible for critiques even if you are absent for the workshop.

GRADING:  Your final grade will be based on both your written work in the class, and also your participation.  You will receive letter grades on written assignments.

EXTRA CREDIT:  You may earn extra credit by attending readings by authors on line.  If you are unsure of whether a writer qualifies or not, please ask me.

The breakdown of grading is as follows (subject to change):  FIRST STORY, 20%; SECOND STORY: 20%; REVISION: 10%; WRITTEN COMMENTS ON OTHER STUDENTS’ WORK: 20%; CLASS PARTICIPATION: 20% (if the student is able to attend).

CRW 370H  l  Honors Creative Writing Project

Instructor:  Harvey, E (aka Carey, C)

Unique #:  34980

Semester:  Spring 2022

Cross-lists:  n/a

Prerequisites:  Consent of the honors advisor.

Description:  This division of the Honors Creative Writing Project is intended for advanced students in fiction, those who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to writing and wish to work under supervision on a particular project to culminate in a final creative thesis.  In addition to providing an opportunity for creative concentration, the CRW HP allows students to further refine their analytical and critical capabilities through intensive peer review workshops.

Please note:  Applicants must have completed or be enrolled in their third upper-division Creative Writing certificate course at the time of application.  A University Grade Point Average of GPA of at least 3.33 and a grade point average of at least 3.66 in program courses are required for the Honors Creative Writing Certificate to be awarded.

Requirements and Grading:  Grades will be based on the final thesis of original creative work (50%); thesis status reports (15%); class participation (25%); and a thesis reading (10%).

Attendance is mandatory.  More than three absences may negatively impact the final grade.