It takes a village to write a story...
Blog novel – an experiment of the imagination.
1) Create a city block as a class. Not a desirable part of town.
2) Create a character that lives either in the building or near it.
3) Each week we will “draw” two names from each class and your character must, in a small or large way interact with one or more the these chosen characters.
4) Each week we will also add a common event that may occur, such as rain, snow, a truck passing through, etc.
5) You may not maim, kill-off, or “block” another character.
6) At the end of the blog experiment one character’s name will be drawn and that character will die. He/she chooses the time, place, reason for death.
7) This activity’s objective is to engage in how a text takes shape in the artist’s mind and how the reader receives it. You should not be so attached to your end of the story that you cannot let others influence your writing as well.
8) Your should “look over your shoulder" at the ideas, themes, and characters from class/summer reading. Let those authors gently guide your writing, but don’t try to recreate the same plot line.
6) The writing activity will take place over the course of the semester and actually may become your final exam. Each week, by Tuesday night you should post your blog. Wednesday, we will draw characters.
7) Ideas to consider:
a.) Setting is as important as character. Do not forget/neglect the world around your character. Setting helps authenticate experience.
b.) Conflict must be present. Internal conflict is more difficult to authenticate than external.
c.) Don’t forget about literary devices.
d.) Each time you write, reread your previous entry. Build on the unknown and the unknowable.
e.) Have fun.
