English 218; Creative Writing
As a creative writer myself, I am an advocate for what Dinty W. Moore calls "mindful" literary writing. I believe that as students engage in the creative process, with a focus on story arc, narrative, reflection, language, and innovation, they become better creative and academic writers. As students workshop creative writing, they are better prepared to speak critically about writerly decisions and learn to take constructive critiques in a positive way, helping them to improve their own texts. At the same time, they begin to approach their own writing—in all its forms— with increased confidence and motivation. Most importantly, by exploring and enjoying the power of words as an art form, students are challenged and expected to become lifelong writers, finding value in writing outside academia. My goal is to imbue my creative writing classroom with an overwhelming love of the power of words and thus lead my students into a similar affinity for language in all its forms.