My "Creative" Writing class is killing my love of writing
This is my newest assignment for my Fiction Class... Is it just me or is it a little... formulaic and ridiculous?
>> Write a 3-5 page story (no longer!) using the following guidelines:
1. The action happens over a long weekend.
2. The story opens with a line of exposition as the protagonist watches the antagonist arrive.
3. The antagonist has something the protagonist wants or thinks s/he deserves.
4. Over the course of the weekend, the protagonist is presented with the opportunity of taking this object of his/her desire…or not.
5. Important: this object must have metaphorical suggestiveness. It should be the controlling metaphor and the title of the story. (Think about the multiple meanings of “Brownies” or “Pilgrims.”)
6. As important, nothing is explained: we are told nothing or almost nothing. Everything, meaning, feeling, thought-unfolds through action, detail, description.
She goes on to tell us the decisions we should make... good... cause I was beginning to feel stifled...
Because I often slip into genre writing she loves to point out where I am cliche... but seriously... how much more cliche can you get?
Am I being silly? Is it only me?
>> Write a 3-5 page story (no longer!) using the following guidelines:
1. The action happens over a long weekend.
2. The story opens with a line of exposition as the protagonist watches the antagonist arrive.
3. The antagonist has something the protagonist wants or thinks s/he deserves.
4. Over the course of the weekend, the protagonist is presented with the opportunity of taking this object of his/her desire…or not.
5. Important: this object must have metaphorical suggestiveness. It should be the controlling metaphor and the title of the story. (Think about the multiple meanings of “Brownies” or “Pilgrims.”)
6. As important, nothing is explained: we are told nothing or almost nothing. Everything, meaning, feeling, thought-unfolds through action, detail, description.
She goes on to tell us the decisions we should make... good... cause I was beginning to feel stifled...
Because I often slip into genre writing she loves to point out where I am cliche... but seriously... how much more cliche can you get?
Am I being silly? Is it only me?