Prof. Manuel Luis Martinez
JO 5.424
Phone: 972.883.5412
email: manuel.martinez1
Office Hours: M 1:00-4:00
TR afternoon by appt.
CRWT 3307: Creating Short Stories
M 4:00-6:45
JO 4.112
This is a writing workshop and in that spirit I have emphasized
writing this semester. Everyone in the class will workshop two
stories. Both stories will be revised according to comments and
suggestions made in workshop. One major revision will be handed
back to me with the originals at the end of the semester. In
addition, you must make comments on each story presented.
Comments must be typed and should be between 250-300 words. Make
one copy for the writer. You should submit a copy to me via
email the day before each workshop. It is critical that you take
this seriously and that critiques are thought out and
constructive.
We will strive this semester not only to think about form and
structure of the short story, but also to become more conscious
of how your writing reflects a worldview that should be closely
related to a particular esthetic, what Aristotle called poetics.
You should be able to point out craft issues and thematic
content and how each deepens and articulates the other.
You will turn in a portfolio at the end of the semester. These
will include both of your stories, a revision of one of these
stories, and a 300-500-word summary of how your revision was
informed by the workshop and critiques and conversation you had
with me. Stories are graded on the basis of originality,
strength of structure and voice, and the effort I feel has been
put forth. Revisions will be graded on the basis of how you
have used feedback to improve the stories. Students should make
sure to meet with me the week after they present in order to
discuss their progress. This is crucial.
Your work should reflect your effort and care. Proofread
carefully, make sure that your work is double-spaced and printed
in easy to read font size. Slapdash work is easy to spot and
will be downgraded. Stories should be 12-15 pages in length.
You are responsible for Xeroxing your own original short story
and having the copies available to hand out in class the week
before it is to be workshopped. Do not email stories (although
you should post them on our Facebook page). Everyone should get
a hard copy.
Facebook: the class has its own Facebook page. Become a part
of the group. Everyone is invited to post their work, stories
that we don’t get to in workshop, ideas and comments about
writing, shout outs to class members on their stories or on any
fiction you are reading that you recommend, my blog on writing,
and occasional works-in-progress by me. While this is not a
requirement, you’ll likely be glad you joined the group.
Grade Weights: two short stories (25% each), revision (25%),
exercises, critiques, participation, and attendance (25%). Each
missing assignment in the fourth group will count 5% off. Each
missed class after your one allotted excused absence will count
10% off. Thus it is possible to get a zero on the fourth group
by having two unexcused absences and one missed critique. I
take participation very seriously in a workshop. Commit
yourself to being present and giving your full attention to your
work and the work of your peers.
Absences: one unexcused absence is allowed. Thereafter, each
unexcused absence will count a full letter grade reduction to
your final grade. If you have a medical excuse or an emergency,
you must make every effort to contact me before class to alert
me that you will not be attending class. Also, do not be late
to class. It throws the class off to have people coming into
class after it’s begun. If I have to talk to you about it, it
may result in a 10% penalty to your participation grade.
Office Hours: my office is a gun free zone. If you have a
conceal carry permit, do not bring your weapon to our
appointment.
Required Texts:
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Anchor
Dagoberto Gilb, Hecho en Tejas
ISBN: 0385480016
U of New Mexico Press ISBN: 0826341268
Comet Creed
This creed was voted on by the UT Dallas student body in 2014.
It is a standard that Comets choose to live by and encourage
others to do the same:
“As a Comet, I pledge honesty, integrity, and service in all
that I do.”
UT Dallas Syllabus Policies and Procedures
The information contained in the following link constitutes the
University’s policies and procedures segment of the course
syllabus. Please go to http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies
for these policies.
The descriptions and timelines contained in this syllabus are
subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.
Schedule:
Week One: 8/22
Introduction
Storymatic exercise
Week Two: 8/29
Bring in a passage from your favorite writer and be ready to
discuss what about their prose, style, or technique you admire
most. Bird by Bird, Part 1
Hecho: Manuel Luis Martinez, “from Drift”
Tomas Rivera (Crystal City), "The Night Before Christmas"
Everyone must bring a meaningful photograph to class. It should
be of a person or persons and at the very least, suggest a
location or place. You will use this photo for exercises and as
a generative device for your story. Don’t bring originals. Scans
or digital copy printouts only.
Week Three: 9/5
No Class-Labor Day
Bird by Bird, Part 2
Week Four: 9/12
Worldview and esthetics, the word puzzle and vocabulary.
Continue Bird by Bird, Part 3
Hecho: Oscar Casares (Brownsville), "In the Year 1974"
John Phillip Santos (San Antonio), from Places Left Unfinished
at the Time of Creation
Week Five: 9/19
Begin Workshops (3 stories per class)
Articulating feeling (PEN)
Bird by Bird, Part 4
Hecho: Roberto Ontiveros (McAllen), "They Let Me Drive"
Cecilia Ballí (Brownsville), "All About My Mother"
Week Six: 9/26
No Class-Conference attendance
Complete Bird by Bird, Part 5
Week Seven: 10/3
Hecho: Erasmo Guerra (Mission), "Once More to the River"
Diana López (Corpus Christi), "The Market"
Week Eight: 10/10
Week Nine: 10/17
Week Ten: 10/24
Week Eleven: 10/31
Week Twelve: 11/7
Week Thirteen: 11/14
Week Fourteen: 11/21
Fall Break/Thanksgiving Break
Week Fifteen: 11/28
Week Sixteen: 12/5
Final Class
Final Portfolio Due: Friday, December 9, 5:00 pm.