Writing Fiction, English 0345

Dr. Filas

Performance Assignment (15%)

(written sections to turned in with the final portfolio)

Reading Performance: Each of you must give one reading in class, standing, reading two to three pages of your own work to us for applause and cheers of goodwill. These pages are not turned in separately from wherever they might appear in other contexts (final portfolio, fame frame). This takes place on the last day of class. If you cannot be there for this class, you must make arrangements with me to give a reading of your own work at another session. Practice reading with gusto and conviction.

Submission: Each of you must choose 2-3 texts (you might submit a few more if they are particularly short, keep it to 2 if they are longer stories), selected around some theme or formal quality, and revised for submission to a literary journal, magazine or contest. You must include a cover letter and a self-addressed-stamped-envelope (SASE). You must also include an addressed and stamped envelope for the work to be sent in. The format of the letter should be all business with minimal personality. Let your writing speak for itself. State that you are submitting your stories or short fictions, perhaps listing them, for publication and you appreciate their consideration. You can mention it if you have had creative writing published elsewhere, but if you have published several times, only list a few. If you have never been published then don’t mention publication history at all. This must be in proper business-letter form and tone. I will mail these off after I have read them and given you credit.

Fame frame: each of you must provide two one-page micro-fictions (or other short format writing). Each must be presented on the page as worthy of a frame. That means attention to whitespace and placement on the page, and with some margin to allow for the edge of the frame. You must also submit your very best work, it will be read by anyone going in and out of my office for at least a year, but maybe longer. Each page must have your name and a date. The story/text could also have a title.

Show me how stunning you can be. These must be submitted in an 8.5x11 envelope with a sheet of cardboard included to prevent bending. I will store these and possibly rotate more than one of your pieces in and out of the frames.