Reading and Writing the Short Story: The Body
LIT4005.01
Course Description
Summary
Good writing is often described as vivid, visceral, sensual, and therefore rooted in the body. But what makes writing feel embodied? What makes personal bodily experiences feel fleshed out on the page? And how can we use our body as a writing resource? This workshop-based creative writing class will examine the narrative techniques and stylistic choices of a variety of body-centric short stories, from the realistic and lyrical to the satirical and the horrific. We will closely read stories on lust, death, motherhood, body image, and more by writers including Carmen Maria Machado, Caio Fernando Abreu, Jamaica Kincaid, Tove Ditlevsen, and Kristen Roupenian. Students will write their own short stories of varying lengths based on prompts, and will be expected to give and receive feedback, revise work, and prepare a final portfolio.Prerequisites
Submit a writing sample using this form by November 24, 2023. Students will be notified of their acceptance into the course by November 29, 2023. Students should select Ben Anastas from the faculty email on the form.
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Corequisites
Students in 4000-level literature classes are expected to attend all Wednesday evening literature events.