San Diego State University
Creative Writing Workshop
Spring 2016
Assaf Gavron
Office:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Office Hours:
AL 276
402-807-9011
gavron@gmail.com
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
13:00-13:45
ENGL 573
Techniques of the Novel
Tuesday and Thursday, 15:30-16:45 PM
Classroom: Art North 300B
Course Description
This course will examine the different techniques and elements in writing a novel.
The Thursday class will focus on one theme of novel-writing that we will explore through
reading examples, lecturing and if time permits, short exercises. Students will be required to
print and read the texts for class (available on Blackboard).
In the following Tuesday class we will analyze student work that is based on an assignment
given in the previous Thursday. Each week two or three students will submit a writing
assignment (approx. 1500 words) by Monday noon (preferably earlier), sent to the
professor and fellow students. The class and the writers of the week’s assignments will
discuss the texts they have sent in light of the week’s theme.
In the final assignment, each student will submit a longer piece of fiction (3500 words),
preferably a first chapter of a novel demonstrating the techniques we have learned and
discussed throughout the semester, with an additional synopsis of the proposed novel.
Class Goals
By the end of this class, students are expected to:




Deepen their understanding of the basic elements of fiction-writing and novel-writing.
Practice techniques of fiction through the Tuesday writing assignment.
Develop and enhance skills of fiction-writing and novel-writing through writing and
analysis.
Become familiar with contemporary literature, with some emphasis (though no
exclusivity) on Israeli literature.
Required Texts
The text book for this class is On Writing by Stephen King.
Reading list (following on page 3-4) that is not in the text book will be available in the
Library and uploaded to Blackboard. Texts include short stories or chapters from novels.
Grade Scale
A+
A
A-
100+
95-100
91-94
B+
B
B-
88-90
84-87
81-83
C+
C
C-
78-80
74-77
71-73
D+
D
F
68-70
64-67
> 64
Academic Integrity
All students at SDSU are expected to conduct their academic affairs in an honest,
forthright and responsible manner. To falsify the results of one’s research, to steal the
words or ideas of another, or to cheat on an examination corrupts the essential process
by which knowledge is advanced. Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not
limited to: plagiarism (using the ideas, words, or works of another person without
crediting the source), cheating, assisting others in the act of cheating, false use or
receipt of academic research materials, submitting the work of another as one’s own,
and altering academic records.
Special Needs
If you have any special needs (i.e. learning disability, visual or hearing impairment, or
medical condition) that you believe I need to be aware of, please contact me after
class or at my office so that I may help in arranging accommodations.
Classroom Etiquette
Please show respect to this class and your fellow students by turning off or silencing
cell phones during class time. Using laptops for activities that are not related to the
class is not allowed. You are expected to arrive in class on time and to avoid leaving
the class during lectures, discussions, and other activities. If you know you are going
to be late or need to leave ahead of time, make sure to notify me before the beginning
of class. Late arrival and early departure may result in loss of participation credit
points. Disruptive behavior may also harm your credit.
General requirements:
 Attend faithfully
 Come to class having read assigned material and prepared to discuss them.
 Submit your workshop texts and final assignment on time.
 Please let me know if you are having problems or need help with any of the above.
Grading
The grade evaluation will be based on the following:
1) Reading the texts that are uploaded to Blackboard, and the workshop texts written by
your classmates by the date on which they are to be discussed. We will spend time
discussing the texts. This will be fruitful only if you arrive at class having read the
assigned works, thought about them, and are ready to contribute to class discussions.
Attendance, reading the assignments and class participation is worth 40% of
your grade.
2) Your workshop texts will be worth 30% of your grade. This includes sending the
texts by the time assigned, being ready to discuss them in class, and their overall
evaluation.
3) Your finals text will be worth 30% of your grade. This includes sending it by the
assigned date and it overall evaluation.
2
Tentative Schedule of Classes
Class 1, Thursday January 21st – Introduction to class, explanation of how it will work.
VOICE / NARRATOR
Texts: Etgar Keret – Suddenly a Knock on the Door (Pages 3-8). Stephen King: What
Writing Is (pages 103-107)
suddenlyaknock.pdf
Class 2, Tuesday January 26th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of voice / narrator.
Class 3, Thursday January 28st – CHARACTER I description and traits
Texts: Jonathan Franzen- Freedom (pages 3-11). Stephen King: Toolbox (pages 109-137).
FREEDOM.pdf
Class 4, Tuesday February 2nd – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of character.
Class 5, Thursday February 4th – CHARACTER II biography
* No class: Students assignment: read text and character questionnaire and write a one-page
character biography according the characters assigned.
Texts: Stephen King: Character (pages 189-195)
Class 6, Tuesday February 9th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of character.
Class 7, Thursday February 11th – POINT OF VIEW
Text: A.B Yehoshua – The lover (pages 122-133)
THELOVER.pdf
Class 8, Tuesday February 18th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of point of view.
Class 9, Thursday February 23rd – DIALOGUE
Texts: Raymond Carver – Little things. Stephen King: dialogue (pages 180-189).
In-class exercise: text message dialogues
3
Class 10, Tuesday February 16th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of Dialogue.
Class 11, Thursday February 25th – SETTING / (ESCALATION) / (INVENTORY) /
Text: Shani Boianjiu – The People of the Book Are Not Afraid (pages 187-206)
thepeopleofforever.pdf
Class 12, Tuesday March 1st – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30 minutes
per text), on the subject of setting / escalation / inventory.
Class 13, Thursday March 3rd – STORY SWAP I
Introduction to story swap, story swapping, start relying.
Class 14, Tuesday March 8th – STORY SWAP II
Finish relying.
Class 15, Thursday March 10th – DESCRIPTION / (CRIME)
Texts: Yoav Katz – The Tour Guide (Tel Aviv Noir pages 205-230). Stephen King:
Description (pages 173-180)
telavivnoirtourguide.pdf
Class 16, Tuesday March 15th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of crime.
Class 17, Thursday March 17th – PHYSICALITY / LIMITS
Text: Chuck Palahniuk - Guts
Class 18, Tuesday March 22nd – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30
minutes per text), on the subject of physicality / limits.
Class 19, Thursday March 24th – PERSONAL
Texts: Assaf Gavron – Almost Dead (pages 228-231, 242-244). Stephen King: Write what
you know (pages 157 – 162)
ALMOSTDEAD.pdf
4
Class 20, Tuesday April 5th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30 minutes
per text), on the subject of personal writing.
Class 21, Thursday April 7th – PLOT
Texts: Irvine Welsh – The Acid House. Stephen King: Plot (pages 163-173)
welsh.jpg
Class 22, Tuesday April 12th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30 minutes
per text), on the subject of plot.
Class 23, Thursday April 14th – FANTASY / SURREALISM
Texts: Etgar Keret – What, of this Gold Fish, would you wish for (pages 117-123). Alex
Epstein
suddenly117-123.pdf
Alex Epstein_shorts.pdf
Class 24, Tuesday April 19th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30 minutes
per text), on the subject of fantasy / surrealism.
Class 25, Thursday April 21th – REASEARCH
Texts: Assaf Gavron – The Hilltop (map, 125-127, 138-139). Stephen King: Research (pages
227-231)
HILLTOP-MAP.pdf
Class 26, Tuesday April 26th – Discussion of two/three reading assignments (20/30 minutes
per text), on the subject of research.
Class 27, Thursday April 28th – REVISION / EDITING
Text: Stephen King: Revision (pages 208-220). (Either no papers or if any student did not
submit during the semester, will submit now)
Class 28, Tuesday May 3rd – PUBLISHING BUSINESS / MARKETING / ETC
Discussion of reading assignments, if given.
Class 29, Thursday May 5th – LEFTOVERS…
More on publishing business, any questions or requirements of the students, explanation on
expected final paper.
5
Thursday May 12th – Final papers due (approx. 3500 word first chapter of a novel, along
with a 1-2 pages synopsis of the novel).
6