CW 96 — Strange Sparks: Idea Generators and Block Breakers for Writers
Quarter: Fall
Instructor(s): Daniel White
Date(s): Oct 5—Nov 2
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Mondays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:00—8:00 pm (PT)
Tuition: $500
Refund Deadline: Oct 7
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 18
Status: Registration opens Aug 17, 8:30 am (PT)
Quarter: Fall
Day: Mondays
Duration: 5 weeks
Time: 6:00—8:00 pm (PT)
Date(s): Oct 5—Nov 2
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $500
Refund Deadline: Oct 7
Instructor(s): Daniel White
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 18
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Registration opens Aug 17, 8:30 am (PT)
Break through writer's block and ignite your imagination in this creativity-boosting course designed to spark fresh ideas for your next story, essay, or book. Through unconventional prompts, close readings of experimental texts, improv for writers sessions, and playful exercises, this course will jolt your imagination and unlock the deeper layers of your storytelling mind.
This autumnal edition of the course centers on the uncanny, the supernatural, and the monstrous. We'll explore haunted objects, design ancient-style incantation bowls, and dive into the eerie tradition of ghost stories. Drawing on fabulist readings from Mary Shelley, Kelly Link, and others, students will conjure folkloric fiends, invent cryptids scarier than Bigfoot, and share tales of miracles and inexplicable events. A guest author specializing in monstrous fiction will join us—and you'll even doodle your own paper monsters into existence (no art skills required!). This low-pressure course celebrates unbridled invention while offering supportive feedback and community with fellow writers.
This autumnal edition of the course centers on the uncanny, the supernatural, and the monstrous. We'll explore haunted objects, design ancient-style incantation bowls, and dive into the eerie tradition of ghost stories. Drawing on fabulist readings from Mary Shelley, Kelly Link, and others, students will conjure folkloric fiends, invent cryptids scarier than Bigfoot, and share tales of miracles and inexplicable events. A guest author specializing in monstrous fiction will join us—and you'll even doodle your own paper monsters into existence (no art skills required!). This low-pressure course celebrates unbridled invention while offering supportive feedback and community with fellow writers.
DANIEL WHITE
Author
Daniel White is the author of Under the Stars: How America Fell in Love with Camping and The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind—and Almost Found Myself—on the Pacific Crest Trail. His writing has appeared in Outside, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. He has taught writing at Columbia and San Jose State and in classes associated with Catamaran Literary Reader. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.