HNAR-243: Wrtg From Observation & Beyond

Designed for writers and non-writers, this class will use deep readings of classic and contemporary texts from across the world as springboards to our own writings. The goal is to escape the anxiety of the blank page and demystify the writing process. We'll do a lot of in-class writing based on simple observation: cities, skies and people, borders, memories and dreams. Doing these simple tasks will lead us to ideas for longer writing projects. Each person will develop a final writing project of about ten pages that will be discussed, developed and revised during the semester. The final project can be fiction or non-fiction - stories, game scripts, reports, biographies, art critiques or manifestoes. Readings and exercises are devised according each person's needs and interests. Students are welcome to take the class once, or repeat it if desired. Readings will be drawn from books by writers including Wanda Coleman, Roberto Bolano, Fred Moten, Jill Johnston, Lady Nijo, Wang Xiabao, Jean Rhys, Olivia Kan-Sperling, Cecilia Pavon, Fyodor Dostoeysky, Sei Shonogon, Georges Perec and many other writers. Together, we'll read the short non-fiction novel Being Here is Everything, a study of the artist Paula Modersohn-Becker by Marie Darrieussecq. Pdfs will be provided.