Some assignments...

Assignments for the last week of class!

1. Make a list of people you admire. They can be dead or alive. They can be people you know personally, or people that you have only heard about. Try to think of at least 10 people. Next, write a few (3-5+) describing words about each of them.

For example:

Keri Mac- lawyer, ivy league, billable hours, dancer, committed.

My grampa- brilliant, hardworking, addicted, loving, my best friend, my hero.

Billy Mills- defied odds, trained hard, dealt with a lot of bullshit, the underdog, reservation.

Sarah J.-doesn’t have crushes, dancer, doesn’t drink, doesn’t need to, thinks I’m a kid, runs.

Susy H. amazing teacher, mentor, family, runner, confidant.

Susie O. amazing teacher, social justice, love, kids, democratic learning, circle, lesbian.

Brian O. amazing coach, cancer, will beat cancer, cute son, loving wife, very positive man.

My mom.single mother, teacher, middle class values, white, independent.

Forrest T. defied the odds, Stanford, runner, hard working, brilliant, future attorney.

Brie B. single mom, 2 kids, dates guys I don’t like, tattoos, amazing server, takes care of others, should be taken care of.

2. Take your list of people, chose one, and write a story. If you want, your story can be about the person. Otherwise, you can just use words/ideas you came up with (associated with their name) and create your own character, or put two characters together.

3. Where do you want to be in 10 years? How can you get there? Make a list. Once your list is complete, turn it into a short story. What are the obstacles? Who are the characters involved?

4. Think of an event that occurred, that you wish you could take back. What would you change? Rewrite the ending. If you keep a journal, it might help to look back at previous entries, if you are having trouble remembering a time you wish was different.

5. Write a story about a vegetable garden. Give the vegetables different (social/personal) characteristics. For example, the Serrano pepper could be a tall skinny woman with a hot temper. Write a story about their growth together, and what kinds of problems (and miracles) happen when a group of mixed vegetables comes up together.

6. Take the lyrics from a verse of a song that you like, or that has a good story. Circle the words that stick out the most, or that you are drawn to. Then, begin to write a story using these words/ideas. You can stick with the basic message of the verse (but consider adding characters or developing them more), or you can simply use the words to rewrite your own story.