creative writing the craft of plot

Creative Writing

The craft of plot.

This course is a part of Creative Writing, a 5-course Specialization series from Coursera.

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creative writing in 51 reviews

EXCEPCIONAL CURSO.MUCHAS GRACIAS POR ESTA OPORTUNIDAD Good review of plot development and creative writing.

Retired from a career as writer and occasional editor of technical and non-fiction articles, memos and magazines, fiction writing has for four decades presented an insurmountable obstacle against which I have repeatedly failed to achieve the least understanding... until Wesleyan University offered Creative Writing: The Craft of the Plot.

This was the first subject of the Creative Writing Course I took and I recommend it to anyone who is starting to write.

I enjoyed every course in the Creative Writing Specialization.

The only thing that cost this course one start from me was that the peers are mostly not qualified for this type of work, and considering this is a peer graded course, if there are errors in your writing, maybe you should take a course on English grammar and vocabulary rather than an advanced creative writing specialization.

A great introduction to the world of creative writing.

Not bad for a rookie :) good to know Excellent Introduction to Creative Writing!

As someone new to creative writing I found this class informative, challenging and inspiring.

This was a great start to the creative writing specialization!

This course managed to open me up to my creative writing side after a long period of feeling blocked and being stuck.

The review from fellow classmates helped me alot in improving my creative writing skills.

I have taken a number of other courses in creative writing elsewhere, and other courses on Coursera - this is the first one I have actively chosen to stop because I just wasn't engaging with it - either for education or for enjoyment.

A great course, I profited more from this course than from the other Creative Writing courses.

Thank you Mister B. Skyhorse for organizing this introduction to creative writing and for sharing your many years of work in the field of writing.

easy to follow in 23 reviews

very interesting and easy to follow.

Brando's classes are easy to follow and his advice hits the mark.

Prof. Brando Skyhorse is clear and his teachings easy to follow and to understand.

Easy to follow.

A really nice, easy to follow and well paced course.

Very analytical and easy to follow.

The prerecorded segments are very good and easy to follow.

I found the teaching videos very easy to follow and understand.

Thanks ;) Easy to follow and exercises were helpful to better understand the classes and to motivate towards more interesting writting.

The course work is easy to follow, full of great information and very clear.

The course is easy to follow and informative.

Easy to follow, great examples, clearly explained, engaging presentations and assignments, tips from the experts; all those things made this one course I couldn't "put down".

Very good lessons to learn I love it and very easy to follow.

The course modules are helpful and easy to follow.

highly recommend it in 9 reviews

I highly recommend it, especially for those new to the writing craft.As a suggestion, it would have been helpful to know all assignments are peer reviewed.

I would highly recommend it to other novice writers.

Highly recommend it.

Highly recommend it if you want to start learning more about writing.

I would highly recommend it to new writers, old authors, editors, and anyone interested in stories.

Really enjoyed it and it broadened my writing skills The exceptional teaching provided by the instructor really simplified the art of creative writing for me , highly recommend it for anyone who wants to pursue the field.

I highly recommend it for those who want to learn the basics of writing a story.

really enjoyed this course in 6 reviews

I really enjoyed this course.

Fantastic I really enjoyed this course!!

looking forward in 9 reviews

I would really recommend this course and am looking forward to next module.

This Creative Writing course is very helpful and I'm looking forward to completing the specialization.

Looking forward to the next!

Looking forward for the next part of this course.

my passion for writing has only increased, and i'm looking forward to the rest of the specialization!

Thank you so much for this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to the next courses in the specialization!

Looking forward to the next course!

They really got me looking forward to writing every week.

harry potter in 7 reviews

The first week, the teacher went through the entire plot of Harry Potter which seemed like a waste of time.

The point was made long before the telling of every plot point in Harry Potter was done.

A little too heavy on Harry Potter references.

There were too many comparisons to Harry Potter and various three and five act formulas.

So it is no surprise that I was appalled by Mr. Skyhorse's strong focus on, and praise of, the Harry Potter book series.

The instructor lost me when he said that Harry Potter was great writing and unfortunately this was very early on in the course.

I liked how Brando used Harry Potter as an example of structure because I know that series well (and probably most people do).

my only in 7 reviews

My only problems with the course were actually not with the course itself, but rather with the way the course is presented.

However, my only complain of this course it's that you can't report those "funny" peers that write "reviews" like this one:" ' "It's so unfair that some of us, the real students, took our time to write detailed reviews about every peer assignment AND expected at least WORDS as reviews.

My only complaint - the assignments were so structured that they were tedious.

My only disappointment is that many genres, although follow a similar story structure, each genre has genre-specific elements.

My only complaint is that there are a great number of people auditing the course and we had to create our own google community to share and get feedback as the assignments and feedback sections of the course are locked for all of the non-paying students.

My only regret is that I wish teachers reviewed your work for the $49 monthly subscription.

rising action in 6 reviews

All the topics are in place, mapping out all the white spots, feeling gaps with knowledge on how to draft your story, how to build rising action to finally end up with self-fullfilling denouement.

I loved the course especially where Mr Skyhorse talked about rising action.

Also, the concept of "rising action" was not sufficiently explained and one of the assignments was a little lame.

After completing this course successfully I still don't really understand what a rising action is exactly and the phrase "your story must include at least ten sentences of rising action" in the final task made almost no sense to me.

I think it would have been more useful to keep reinforcing the Rising Action-Scene structure and ABDCE structure with more solid examples.

rather than in 6 reviews

Also, I would have appreciated some downloadable handouts that covered the main points, rather than having to go back through the videos and finding the information I was looking for.

(Maintaining the same discussion forum, rather than having a new one for each successive group of learners. )

In addition, rather than being able to learn from reading the writing of others, I found for the most part that the pieces submitted by others were very lacking.If you take this course, know that it will provide you some good information about writing fiction, but the feedback you receive on your assignments will not help you learn.

I do wish that at least one of the assignments could be reviewed by the actual professor for feedback, rather than just peers.

It has been a great course that helped me better understand the basics of plot, structure, "scenes", building characters and trying to show rather than tell a story Good starting module that gives some simple techniques to improve writing.

only thing in 6 reviews

The only thing I would wish for is comments from the organisers or even that we could see what was said about our texts as it's really hard to improve without proper feedback.

The only thing I find inconsistent is the reviewing of others work.

It is all very useful :) The only thing which I perhaps did not like was the quality of some reviews, which I felt were rushed.

The only thing I , let's say, dislike is that we have no feedback from an instructor.

mr. skyhorse in 5 reviews

The content is interesting and I enjoyed how Mr. Skyhorse addresses the material he teaches in a very simple yet meaningful way.

I liked the way Mr. Skyhorse explains the secrets to construct a great plot.

This course was really useful and Mr. Skyhorse's way of explaining in the videos was so good Perfect basic information for me.

Thank you Mr. Skyhorse and the Coursera team.

reviewed by in 5 reviews

It would be nice if the assignment were reviewed by a professor or a TA or something.

:) I loved this course and the assignments were really putting every section to work right away.I wish that at least one of my papers would have been reviewed by Brando... but maybe that will happen in the capstone.

I would have preferred that my work was reviewed by mentors, and not by peers.

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Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

• From www.coursera.org
• Free Access
• Fee-based Certificate
• 4 Sequences
• Introductive Level
• Subtitles in French

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Course details.

• Week 1 - Plotting a Course In this module, we'll learn essentials about plot definitions and mechanics. What is plot? How does plot shape a narrative? What makes a strong plot? How is plot different from a story? We'll also discuss how plot works in actual books you're probably familiar...
• Week 2 - The Power of Structure In this module we're going to learn what story structure is and how by understanding structure you can learn how to sequence the events in your plot to help maximize your own storytelling abilities.We'll talk about Freytag's pyramid, the five act structure, ho...
• Week 3 - A Scene in Motion Scenes are the building blocks of storytelling. But what is a scene? And how does a scene move plot forward? In this module we'll learn about the difference between telling and showing, the five key elements each scene should have, offer some examples of effec...
• Week 4 - Cut It Out This modules deals with the specifics of editing and revising your work. This process of revision starts with the first draft (which will now become your second draft) and continues until the manuscript’s ready to send to an agent. Included here are a twenty-o...

Prerequisite

Instructors.

Brando Skyhorse Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing English

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What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer’s Toolbox

Not all writing is the same and there’s a type of writing that has the ability to transport, teach, and inspire others like no other.

Creative writing stands out due to its unique approach and focus on imagination. Here’s how to get started and grow as you explore the broad and beautiful world of creative writing!

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way.

Creative writing can take on various forms such as:

• short stories
• screenplays

It’s a way for writers to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative, often symbolic, way . It’s about using the power of words to transport readers into a world created by the writer.

5 Key Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is marked by several defining characteristics, each working to create a distinct form of expression:

1. Imagination and Creativity: Creative writing is all about harnessing your creativity and imagination to create an engaging and compelling piece of work. It allows writers to explore different scenarios, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality.

2. Emotional Engagement: Creative writing often evokes strong emotions in the reader. It aims to make the reader feel something — whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

3. Originality: Creative writing values originality. It’s about presenting familiar things in new ways or exploring ideas that are less conventional.

4. Use of Literary Devices: Creative writing frequently employs literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and others to enrich the text and convey meanings in a more subtle, layered manner.

5. Focus on Aesthetics: The beauty of language and the way words flow together is important in creative writing. The aim is to create a piece that’s not just interesting to read, but also beautiful to hear when read aloud.

Remember, creative writing is not just about producing a work of art. It’s also a means of self-expression and a way to share your perspective with the world. Whether you’re considering it as a hobby or contemplating a career in it, understanding the nature and characteristics of creative writing can help you hone your skills and create more engaging pieces .

For more insights into creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and is a degree in creative writing worth it .

Styles of Creative Writing

To fully understand creative writing , you must be aware of the various styles involved. Creative writing explores a multitude of genres, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses expressive language to evoke emotions and ideas. Poets often employ rhythm, rhyme, and other poetic devices to create pieces that are deeply personal and impactful. Poems can vary greatly in length, style, and subject matter, making this a versatile and dynamic form of creative writing.

Short Stories

Short stories are another common style of creative writing. These are brief narratives that typically revolve around a single event or idea. Despite their length, short stories can provide a powerful punch, using precise language and tight narrative structures to convey a complete story in a limited space.

Novels represent a longer form of narrative creative writing. They usually involve complex plots, multiple characters, and various themes. Writing a novel requires a significant investment of time and effort; however, the result can be a rich and immersive reading experience.

Screenplays

Screenplays are written works intended for the screen, be it television, film, or online platforms. They require a specific format, incorporating dialogue and visual descriptions to guide the production process. Screenwriters must also consider the practical aspects of filmmaking, making this an intricate and specialized form of creative writing.

If you’re interested in this style, understanding creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree can provide useful insights.

Writing for the theater is another specialized form of creative writing. Plays, like screenplays, combine dialogue and action, but they also require an understanding of the unique dynamics of the theatrical stage. Playwrights must think about the live audience and the physical space of the theater when crafting their works.

Each of these styles offers unique opportunities for creativity and expression. Whether you’re drawn to the concise power of poetry, the detailed storytelling of novels, or the visual language of screenplays and plays, there’s a form of creative writing that will suit your artistic voice. The key is to explore, experiment, and find the style that resonates with you.

For those looking to spark their creativity, our article on creative writing prompts offers a wealth of ideas to get you started.

Importance of Creative Writing

Understanding what is creative writing involves recognizing its value and significance. Engaging in creative writing can provide numerous benefits – let’s take a closer look.

Developing Creativity and Imagination

Creative writing serves as a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and imagination. It encourages you to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and create unique and original content. This leads to improved problem-solving skills and a broader worldview , both of which can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

Through creative writing, one can build entire worlds, create characters, and weave complex narratives, all of which are products of a creative mind and vivid imagination. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Enhancing Communication Skills

Creative writing can also play a crucial role in honing communication skills. It demands clarity, precision, and a strong command of language. This helps to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, making it easier to express thoughts and ideas effectively .

Moreover, creative writing encourages empathy as you often need to portray a variety of characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. This leads to a better understanding of people and improved interpersonal communication skills.

Exploring Emotions and Ideas

One of the most profound aspects of creative writing is its ability to provide a safe space for exploring emotions and ideas. It serves as an outlet for thoughts and feelings , allowing you to express yourself in ways that might not be possible in everyday conversation.

Writing can be therapeutic, helping you process complex emotions, navigate difficult life events, and gain insight into your own experiences and perceptions. It can also be a means of self-discovery , helping you to understand yourself and the world around you better.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the benefits of creative writing are vast and varied. For those interested in developing their creative writing skills, check out our articles on creative writing prompts and how to teach creative writing . If you’re considering a career in this field, you might find our article on is a degree in creative writing worth it helpful.

4 Steps to Start Creative Writing

Creative writing can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can start their journey into this creative field. Here are some steps to help you start creative writing .

1. Finding Inspiration

The first step in creative writing is finding inspiration . Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. Observe the world around you, listen to conversations, explore different cultures, and delve into various topics of interest.

Reading widely can also be a significant source of inspiration. Read different types of books, articles, and blogs. Discover what resonates with you and sparks your imagination.

For structured creative prompts, visit our list of creative writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Note : When something excites or interests you, stop and take note – it could be the inspiration for your next creative writing piece.

2. Planning Your Piece

Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan your piece . Start by outlining:

• the main points

Remember, this can serve as a roadmap to guide your writing process. A plan doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s a flexible guideline that can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your writing. The primary purpose is to provide direction and prevent writer’s block.

3. Writing Your First Draft

After planning your piece, you can start writing your first draft . This is where you give life to your ideas and breathe life into your characters.

Don’t worry about making it perfect in the first go. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper . You can always refine and polish your work later. And if you don’t have a great place to write that first draft, consider a journal for writing .

4. Editing and Revising Your Work

The final step in the creative writing process is editing and revising your work . This is where you fine-tune your piece, correct grammatical errors, and improve sentence structure and flow.

Editing is also an opportunity to enhance your storytelling . You can add more descriptive details, develop your characters further, and make sure your plot is engaging and coherent.

Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice . Don’t be discouraged if your first few pieces don’t meet your expectations. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on how to teach creative writing or creative writing activities for kids.

Tips to Improve Creative Writing Skills

Understanding what is creative writing is the first step. But how can one improve their creative writing skills? Here are some tips that can help.

Read Widely

Reading is a vital part of becoming a better writer. By immersing oneself in a variety of genres, styles, and authors, one can gain a richer understanding of language and storytelling techniques . Different authors have unique voices and methods of telling stories, which can serve as inspiration for your own work. So, read widely and frequently!

Practice Regularly

Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Consistently writing — whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly — helps develop your writing style and voice . Using creative writing prompts can be a fun way to stimulate your imagination and get the words flowing.

Attend Writing Workshops and Courses

Formal education such as workshops and courses can offer structured learning and expert guidance. These can provide invaluable insights into the world of creative writing, from understanding plot development to character creation. If you’re wondering is a degree in creative writing worth it, these classes can also give you a taste of what studying creative writing at a higher level might look like .

Joining Writing Groups and Communities

Being part of a writing community can provide motivation, constructive feedback, and a sense of camaraderie. These groups often hold regular meetings where members share their work and give each other feedback. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passion for writing.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is a crucial part of improving as a writer. It offers a fresh perspective on your work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Whether it’s from a writing group, a mentor, or even friends and family, constructive criticism can help refine your writing .

Start Creative Writing Today!

Remember, becoming a proficient writer takes time and patience. So, don’t be discouraged by initial challenges. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Who knows, your passion for creative writing might even lead to creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Happy writing!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

Inspiring Ink: Expert Tips on How to Teach Creative Writing

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Creative Writing: The Craft of Character

About this course.

At the center of a good story are the characters in it. In this course aspiring writers will discover how to build and bring to life complex, vivid and unforgettable characters. We will study the choices a writer makes to bring all characters to life on the page, and we will perform written exercises in order to develop a variety of writing and pre-writing techniques, in order to create a variety of characters. We will learn how to use our own life experiences, and the people we know (and how not to!). We will develop inner (thoughts and feelings) and outer (appearance, habits, behavior) lives for our characters and see how that can lead us to richer and more interesting stories. We will breathe life into our characters and let them surprise us.

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Other Courses in this Specialization

Creative writing: the craft of plot.

Creative Writing: The Craft of Setting and Description

Creative Writing: The Craft of Style

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Phạm Thu Thủy

Content for Communications

Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

These are 4-week course assignments composed by Thuy while attending the Creative Writing Course: The Craft of Plot offered by Wesleyan University on Coursera.

Week 1’s assignment:

Write a scene of 250-350 words featuring a character with one concrete  want  (a table, a moose, a toothbrush, anything physical is fine!) and one  weakness .

Once upon a time, there was a curious Crow living within the dim west of the dense Keost forest. Since the creature was born with poor eyesight, she’d always been fond of tasting foodstuffs, especially the new ones. She regards the process of slowly digesting new stuff as a ritual connected her senses with the world, such a place of never-ending surprises, according to her stomach. More often than not, her stomach had been filled with some of the very strange stuff brought to the forest by different flows of migratory birds. Carrot, death ants, pieces of electrical appliances, human teeth, ice cream… are among the kinds of stuff the Crow has tried out.

After tasting that filthy and pleasing stuff from time to time, the Crow’s liberal taste judges the taste of chocolate be the best one she ever taste. It is scarcely surprising that after sharing the little piece chocolate with other animals in the forest, they all agree with her so. So they begged the migratory bird from the North to bring them some more of that brown bittersweet piece when they come back in the Summer. Of course, there wasn’t anything such a free meal. And one of the migratory bird was clever enough to demand to exchange a particular amount chocolate with the occupation of the migratory birds every summer in Keost  (or winter, if their perception to be with the freezing temperature during those months in the Northern forest). Deny not the extreme fondness for chocolate but the Crow and her forest mates do not find themselves at ease when deciding whether they should witness their beloved homes disturbed by the ugly and noisy Northen migrate birds every summer, or never have that taste of ecstasy again. The animals thus seek advice from the Tiger. And it was how a tricky plan born overnight. The animals intend to use what human has left in the forest last Spring to trick the migrating birds. They outlined a plan in which all animals pretend to be dead when the fireworks explode and one or two survivals would claim their forest has been cursed in order to frighten the migratory birds away. 

On the very first day of Summer, things have unfolded exactly just as the Tiger plan. The migrate birds extremely frighten by the fireworks thus they fly away immediately, not having time to remember about their deal and the chocolate left behind. Silence is a remarkable signal for the Crow, so she raised her wings at the highest level she could reach and loudly and cheerfully celebrate the success of their clever plan.  Unluckily, only did other animals response by silence. As she didn’t see a Northern migratory bird has just come back collected its little piece of chocolate and thus has heard all the cry of the Crow. 

As a result, every summer, the Northern migratory birds have to fly no further anymore, they have a summer palace in the Keost forest.

picture: Starder

Week 2: What’s Up, Doc?

Write a very short story – not more than 200 words – about a trip to the doctor or dentist using the ABDCE structure. Identify the structural elements in your story. 

A) On Sunday, an old lady had to make a trip to the dentist as she was in want a set of new dentures. (B) Without any concrete evidence, however, she knows for sure it was Nam – the little naughty boy next door – who stolen her teeth. (D) Since the lone lady was unable to drive herself to the clinic, Mrs Van (Nam’s mother) offered to drive her there. And as Mrs Van wasn’t ready to leave Nam alone at home, she took him with her. The glimpse of the clinic freaked Nam out. After a while, the lady finally went out. The doctor chitchatted something with his mother while glancing at Nam one or twice. Mrs Van then explained to Nam, the doctor gave them a very kind bonus offer that she cannot decline.  As Nam couldn’t find any way to escape, he had to follow the doctor into the clinic. (C) 10 minutes later, everybody in the corridor heard Nam screaming, and then seeing his face turned green when he walked out. (E) The doctor told Mrs Van that Nam had a cavity and if he does not take care of the rest, he might see the doctor again soon.

Week 3: Show, Don’t Tell

As with the first assignment, you will create another scene where someone wants a concrete physical object more than anything else in the world. This time, instead of focusing on rising action entirely, consider the full story structure.

Write for a few minutes, then give that character a disease where they learn they have only 24 hours to live. This is your first significant rising action. Write some more, then give that character a choice between that object and an antidote. This is your second significant rising action.

The Black Pearls

As night falls, Phong reaches the back side of the castle. Phong finds infiltrate the castle a demanding task though it’s not impossible for a talented thief like him to pass all the sentinels without being noticed. Phong then sneaks into the bedroom where he finds the distractingly beautiful queen is sleeping. He takes the pearls from a glass box on the table. When he is about to take off his mask to kiss the queen goodbye, her black cat interrupts him with its “meow”. Phong whispers something in her ears instead and then sneaks out.

Later, Phong hands Dung the pearls and in return receives 100 coins of gold from him. Then he leaves in the morning.

But very soon he needs to meet Dung again, to verify his suspicion; an hour after their meeting, his skin turned into frog-like color.  “It must have something to do with the pearls.” Dung said. Almost simultaneously, the black cat appearing from nowhere drops them a letter, before leaping over rooftops and disappearing. Phong opens the envelop while Dung stepping back in fear. “It’s from your Queen, she warns that we have twenty-four hours left to live. And, she is the only one who has the antidote.” Phong reads the ending of the letter out loud. “As a fair exchange, I demand two things, the first is returning my pearls before sunrise and the second, confessing your crime in front of all of my people”.

“Returning what is stolen is a shame for a legendary thief, I cannot afford it,” 

Dung appears calmer this time, he said “Oh my friend, don’t sweat it! I am the one whom the Queen been in love with, remember? Let me take care of this.” They both later agree that Dung shall be the only one who confesses to the people. Phong told Dung that he can keep the pearls if Dung afraid of getting more poison from it, then he put it in his pocket.

In the afternoon, when Phong and Dung enter the castle, they see the Queen already standing above her people, telling them she has something for entertainment. 

Dung steps on the platform, hesitating a bit when he sees a lot of people around. He swallows his nervousness and starts to speak about the beauty of the pearls. But suddenly he points to Phong, telling everyone that it was Phong’s idea to steal it and the evidence can be found in Phong’s pocket. Phong takes his words with a bemused expression. The queen later reappears to take the pearls from Phong, and thanks both of the men for the drama rehearsal. Her people send her a sky of extended hands, bright smiles wishing the queen healthiness and beauty.

When the curtain closed, the queen shows Phong and Dung a pink pill, telling them she has only one left while there are two of them, so she ought to give it to whoever has handed her the pearls as mentioned in the letter.

Week 4: The Whole Story

Write a story (up to 1,000 words) following the ABDCE structure that includes at least one full scene. Also, your story should have at least TEN sentences of rising action.

It was one moonless night near the end of July, the thick clouds covering much of the sky above Subo town, where a state prison known as XY18 located. Though it was a quarter after one, 3571 is still wide awake. Other inmates must have sunk into deep sleep, including 3802, his dummy cellmate. All of 3571’s senses are on high alert for any sign or sound of movement but there was nothing louder than the snoring of 3802, the noise used to cause 3571 a headache every night but tonight, much to his surprise, it turns into a kind of melody which soothes his fears. 3571 decided that he must put his breakout plan into execution just now, he can no longer bear this smelly cell, his clingy cellmate, not to mention that stupid Dilly Dilly song he is forced to listen during the prison workout hours every morning. The bad music pains him more than his damaged leg does every day.

3571 observes the corridor for a while, seeing only a snoozing guard. He quickly hangs his grey bed sheet on the door of his cell, carefully plugs out two angle irons from the bed and creates a window screw tool with the irons and a broken blade taken from a pencil sharpener. 3571 tries to mitigate the noise as he does not want to wake 3802 up as when his cellmate is awake he is not that much helpful for 3571 as when he is sound asleep. 3571 manages to make the homemade tool while his heart pounds a bit faster.

He is just minutes away from the other side of it. To calm himself down, he let his thoughts wander to his sweet Bama – his faithful mistress, she must get impatient waiting for him too long in the car out there. How he misses her soft voice, the smell of her hair, her kisses, her giggle, her boobs, her…

“How’s it?” A big shadow casts over him asked. “Great!” 3571 gives his response when lingering images of Bama still on his mind, but he almost jumps out of his skin seeing 3802 standing right there. The tired eyes and untidy hair of his cellmate, however, quickly mellowed him out, he remembers that 3802 is a kid in the body of a man. “Hey dude, wanna play a game?” 3571 speaks in a low voice. “Oh, yeah yeah.” 3802 exclaims.  “Shut up!” 3571 put a hand over 3802’s mouth and listen intently. He then pops his head out to check if the guard notices anything. Fortunately, the guard has buried his face on his arms, sleeping at his desk. 3571 collects himself and speaks with a moderately relaxing voice. He explains to 3802 that he was to break out of the prison to grab some wines, drugs, and snacks and he surely will break in again to share it with him. 

“There you see, that’s why I need your help. Can you stay here, keep quiet, and pretend I didn’t tell you a thing.” “Okay” 3802 slowly nodding his head in agreement but he squeezed his nose like a pig and then jumps up and down “I want to play hide and seek!” 3571 shakes his head.

Hiding inside the darkness of the night without a moon, the pair finally passes the East side of the building, they stop for 3571 to ease the pain radiating down his leg but it was 3802 whom truly need to stop as his overweight body signals him that it can no longer bear such a run. By the time 3802 can breath normally again, 3571 has found the homemade rope ladder which he buried under the evergreen tree nearby the wall. This western part of the prison is the lowest area of the wall, 3571 was aware of this the last time he peed here. 

With the help of 3802, 3571 can climb up the rope ladder quickly. 3571 tells 3802 to close his eyes and starts to count from 1 to 100 when he sits on the ledge. He pulls the ladder back and climbs down on the other side of the wall. As soon as he reaches the ground, he blows his whistle. In the blink of an eye, a car approaches him from the dark. Hearing the screech from the car peeling out, the rush of excitement runs through his body. He gets in. 

“Oh Bama! My sweet honey bee!”All of a sudden, the woman in the driver’s seat slapped him on the face.  It was one hell of a shock to find out the woman in this glossy dress is not Bama the mistress but his wife, Hanna. “Oh Hanna?!!, uhm uh oh, my dear, how…?”Hanna warns him “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you when we are at home. You also have the right to not mention her name to our kids. With this right in mind, are you still willing to talk with me about Bama?” 3571 can feel her sharp eye on him. He keeps silent. Their black Ferrari disappears into the night.

But then. “SCREEEEEECH!”  The car has headed back to the same spot. Whilst the car door opened, 3571 was throwing on the ground. Hanna turns on the headlight and blows the horn impatiently, only did she stop when hearing the alarming alert responded from the prison. Hanna drives off as quickly as when she came. This time the conversation with his wife went wrong, again.  

9 guards armed with pistols and taser appear quickly and drag 3571 back to the prison. After three an a half hours in the interrogation room, seven years was proposed to add to his sentence. Two security guards escort 3571 to his new escape-proof cell. As he walks past his old cell, 3802 happily greets him “Found you!”.

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Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan . 

• Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
• Paid plan:  Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle and end.

Taught by:   Brando Skyhorse, Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

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Taught by:   Brando Skyhorse, Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

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• Video: What Is Plot?
• Video: How Plot Works in Harry Potter
• Video: Character + Action = Plot
• Reading: A Note on Assignments
• Video: Feedback Expectations for the Specialization
• Reading: Promo Codes
• Video: What Is Structure?
• Video: ABDCE Structure Examples from Famous Works of Literature
• Video: Visiting Writer: A Conversation with Douglas Martin
• Video: What Is a Scene?
• Video: Examples of Effective Scenes
• Video: Shop Talk with Amity Gaige
• Video: Editing and Revision
• Video: Shop Talk with Amy Bloom
• Video: Shop Talk with Salvatore Scibona
• Video: The 21st Point
• View related products with reviews: Creative/Fiction Writing and Reading & Writing .

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Coursera   Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot

• Author Coursera
• Creation date Jan 17, 2019
• Tags creative writing

Platform Coursera Provider Wesleyan University Effort 1 to 2 hours per week Length 4 weeks Language English Credentials Paid Certificate Available Part of Creative Writing Specialization Course Link https://www.coursera.org/learn/craft-of-plot Overview In this course aspiring writers will be introduced to perhaps the most elemental and often the most challenging element of story: plot. We will learn what keeps it moving, how it manipulates our feelings, expectations, and desires. We will examine the choices storytellers make to snag our imaginations, drag them into a fictional world, and keep them there. We will learn how to outline and structure a plot, discuss narrative arc, pacing and reversals and reveal the inevitable surprise: connecting the beginning, middle and end. Spoiler: View Syllabus Syllabus Plotting a Course In this module, we'll learn essentials about plot definitions and mechanics. What is plot? How does plot shape a narrative? What makes a strong plot? How is plot different from a story? We'll also discuss how plot works in actual books you're probably familiar with, such as the Harry Potter series, how character and action equals plot, and the five key questions you should ask yourself when creating a dynamic character. The Power of Structure In this module we're going to learn what story structure is and how by understanding structure you can learn how to sequence the events in your plot to help maximize your own storytelling abilities.We'll talk about Freytag's pyramid, the five act structure, how that structure can be found in works of classic literature, and have a conversation about how structure and outlines can help organize the stories you want to tell. A Scene in Motion Scenes are the building blocks of storytelling. But what is a scene? And how does a scene move plot forward? In this module we'll learn about the difference between telling and showing, the five key elements each scene should have, offer some examples of effective scenes, and have a conversation about how setting and description can make a scene come alive. Cut It Out This modules deals with the specifics of editing and revising your work. This process of revision starts with the first draft (which will now become your second draft) and continues until the manuscript’s ready to send to an agent. Included here are a twenty-one point checklist on what to do once you have a completed first draft, and conversations about creating characters with strong motivations, and how to define language that gets rewritten vs language that gets cut. Taught by Brando Skyhorse

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Craft the perfect creative writing prompt from Microsoft Designer's AI images

march 22, 2024

by Monica Jayasinghe

Hello, fellow educators! I recently discovered an exciting way to create engaging writing prompts for my students using AI and Microsoft Designer . The results were amazing, and I can't wait to share this fun and innovative approach with you!

Describing the Vision:

To get started, head over to Microsoft Designer . We'll use the power of AI to generate an image that will serve as the foundation for our writing prompt.

We'll use Image Creator , where you can describe the image you want to create. The goal is to generate an image that will capture your students' imagination and inspire them to write.

For this example, I entered the prompt, A spacecraft landing near a house, futuristic, mysterious.

Choose the image you want to work with

Once you select Generate , Microsoft Designer will provide you with a variety of AI-generated images. Since we're creating a writing prompt, look for an image that has space for adding instructions and is easy to read.

You'll be amazed by the number of options available! When you find an image you like, click on it and select Edit image .

Customize the image

After selecting your preferred image, it's time to customize it.

• Click on Resize in the top panel and adjust the dimensions to match a PowerPoint slide. This will ensure that the image fits perfectly when you're ready to present it to your students. You can also align the image anywhere on the page to create the perfect composition.
• In the box labeled AI tools , you'll see additional customization options. Consider playing with the filters to update the mood and color scheme of your image.

Add instructions and text

To make the writing prompt clear and easy to read, click on the existing text and customize it. To add a heading, click on Text in the left panel. The right panel will populate with even more ideas you can use.

In this example, I changed the color to white and added a story starter.

Engage your students

The possibilities for using AI-generated images as writing prompts are endless! Here are a few options:

Get inspired by the artwork

The most obvious way to use these images is as direct inspiration for student writing. Generate a bold, fantastical, emotional, or silly image and have students write a story about what's happening in the image.

Try this prompt: A whimsical classroom under the sea. The teacher is a wise old octopus. The classroom is decorated with shell desks and seaweed streamers .

Bring stories to life

Another great idea is to take an excerpt from a story you're reading in class and use the AI to generate an image that matches that specific part of the story. This will spark engaging discussions among your students and bring the story to life in a whole new way.

Bring units to life

Why stop at a story? You can also generate images that fit the theme of a unit you're working on, whether you're exploring weather patterns or reliving life on the Oregon Trail.

Consider setting aside some time each day or week for students to free write or journal. Kick off the writing session with an AI-generated image, then throw on some light classical music and let them write. Mix up the kind of images you show them, from lush landscapes to abstract pop art, and see what it inspires.

Try this prompt: An abstract painting in vivid colors

You can even include animated options. After you generate your image in Microsoft Designer, select the image and Create Design . In the right-hand panel that appears, you'll see several design options. Usually, one or more of these options will be animated. Select the animated option and add it to your PowerPoint!

Accessing your AI-generated images

One of the best features of Microsoft Designer is that all the images you create using AI are saved in the My Media section. This means you'll never lose your creations and can easily access them whenever you need them.

This feature enables educators to curate a collection of visuals for various writing themes, be it aliens, dragons, or any other imaginative scenario.

Wrapping up

Microsoft Designer is a game-changer for educators looking to inspire their students' creativity. The AI-generated images, customization options, and easy access to your creations make this a powerful tool for any classroom.

Head over to designer.microsoft.com today and start creating unforgettable writing prompts!

Related topics

If you’re looking to inspire your students’ writing and creativity, turn to these fun and exciting writing prompts. Perfect for overcoming writer’s block or even starting a brand-new short story in a different narrative, creative writing prompts can help students begin a new piece with confidence.

Plus, these story starters can also encourage students to explore different genres while honing their writing skills. There are a lot of ways you can use writing prompts in your classroom. Try: 

Reading a book in a genre, then having students use a story starter in that same genre. 

Starting off class with 10 minutes of writing, using one of the prompts below. If you'd like, you can ask a volunteer to share their story! Students may be surprised by the variety of stories that are written based on the same prompt. 

Using these prompts as an introduction to a creative writing unit. 

Providing fast finishers with a way to stay busy — and have fun. 

Using story starters to encourage students to write at home.

Adventure Story Starters 

Take inspiration from classics like Treasure Island and newer popular series like The Bad Guys to explore how to write thrilling adventure stories. And to encourage students to begin writing their own adventure-focused stories, share these creative story starters: 

You’re part of a pirate crew in search of a long-lost storied treasure trove. What is happening on the ship and where do you find the treasure? 

You get the chance to use a time machine to meet one historical figure of your choice. Who do you go meet, and what will you do to explore that time period?

You receive a fortune in a fortune cookie that changes the course of your life. What does the fortune say, and what happens when it comes true?

Get students excited about adventure stories with these great books: 

Fantasy Story Starters 

Have fans of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and other mythical creatures in class? Encourage them to give fantasy writing a shot. 

You’re on a quest through a hidden underground world that no one else has ever seen. What magical creatures do you come across? What do they look like, and how do they act? 

There is a witch who lives in a nearby legendary haunted house. She puts a hex on you that needed to be broken by the time the clock struck midnight the next night. What kind of hex is it, and how do you break it? 

You stumble into an enchanted forest. How did you find it, and what do you discover in it?

Check out these fun fantasy titles for more inspiration:

Sci-Fi Story Starters 

Kids interested in STEM concepts will love science fiction! Try these prompts to see how your students combine science with their wildest imaginations. 

• You’re the first person to ever set foot on Mars. What is it like? What do you explore first? 
• You and your friend have the same dream in the middle of the night about a prophecy that involves another dimension. What is the prophecy, and what is this other dimension? What do you and your friend have to do to reach and alter this dimension?
• After NASA discovers a whole new world of giants in a nearby nebula, they send a team of scientists through a wormhole to study them. You are one of the scientists on board. What does the journey feel like? What do the giants look like in this world? 

Plus, find great kid-friendly sci-fi here:

Genre Scrambler Story Starters 

Have some fun with genre studies by combining them! Try these prompts to get started:

• You are on an expedition in the Arctic and discover a new species of animals living in the harsh climate that no one has ever seen before. What kind of species is it, and what characteristics do they have? 
• You’re walking home from school and notice that the front door of a neighbor’s house is wide open, and no one is in sight. The old man who normally lives there is nowhere to be found. Curious, you go into the house and find that everything is fake: the furniture, the food, the technology, etc. In fact, the whole property is made of plastic, even the grass and trees! What happened to the old man who lives here? Why does this house exist, and why is everything fake? 
• You are a child living in the early 1800s in an unnamed country when an asteroid hits, releasing aliens that want to make contact with your leaders. What do these aliens want? How does everyone react?

Shop popular books of all genres that will inspire young writers below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

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How to Resist the Temptation of AI When Writing

Whether you're a student, a journalist, or a business professional, knowing how to do high-quality research and writing using trustworthy data and sources, without giving in to the temptation of AI or ChatGPT , is a skill worth developing.

As I detail in my book Writing That Gets Noticed , locating credible databases and sources and accurately vetting information can be the difference between turning a story around quickly or getting stuck with outdated information.

For example, several years ago the editor of Parents.com asked for a hot-take reaction to country singer Carrie Underwood saying that, because she was 35, she had missed her chance at having another baby. Since I had written about getting pregnant in my forties, I knew that as long as I updated my facts and figures, and included supportive and relevant peer-reviewed research, I could pull off this story. And I did.

The story ran later that day , and it led to other assignments. Here are some tips I’ve learned that you should consider mastering before you turn to automated tools like generative AI to handle your writing work for you.

Identify experts, peer-reviewed research study authors, and sources who can speak with authority—and ideally, offer easily understood sound bites or statistics on the topic of your work. Great sources include professors at major universities and media spokespeople at associations and organizations.

For example, writer and author William Dameron pinned his recent essay in HuffPost Personal around a statistic from the American Heart Association on how LGBTQ people experience higher rates of heart disease based on discrimination. Although he first found the link in a secondary source (an article in The New York Times ), he made sure that he checked the primary source: the original study that the American Heart Association gleaned the statistic from. He verified the information, as should any writer, because anytime a statistic is cited in a secondary source, errors can be introduced.

Jen Malia, author of  The Infinity Rainbow Club  series of children’s books (whom I recently interviewed on my podcast ), recently wrote a piece about dinosaur-bone hunting for Business Insider , which she covers in her book Violet and the Jurassic Land Exhibit.

After a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Malia, whose books are set in Philadelphia, found multiple resources online and on the museum site that gave her the history of the Bone Wars , information on the exhibits she saw, and the scientific names of the dinosaurs she was inspired by. She also used the Library of Congress’ website, which offers digital collections and links to the Library of Congress Newspaper Collection.

Malia is a fan of searching for additional resources and citable documents with Google Scholar . “If I find that a secondary source mentions a newspaper article, I’m going to go to the original newspaper article, instead of just stopping there and quoting,” she says.

Julian Chokkattu

Chris Haslam

Boone Ashworth

Brenda Stolyar

Your local public library is a great source of free information, journals, and databases (even ones that generally require a subscription and include embargoed research). For example, your search should include everything from health databases ( Sage Journals , Scopus , PubMed) to databases for academic sources and journalism ( American Periodical Series Online , Statista , Academic Search Premier ) and databases for news, trends, market research, and polls (t he Harris Poll , Pew Research Center , Newsbank , ProPublica ).

Even if you find a study or paper that you can’t access in one of those databases, consider reaching out to the study’s lead author or researcher. In many cases, they’re happy to discuss their work and may even share the study with you directly and offer to talk about their research.

For journalist Paulette Perhach’s article on ADHD in The New York Times, she used Epic Research to see “dual team studies.” That's when two independent teams address the same topic or question, and ideally come to the same conclusions. She recommends locating research and experts via key associations for your topic. She also likes searching via Google Scholar but advises filtering it for studies and research in recent years to avoid using old data. She suggests keeping your links and research organized. “Always be ready to be peer-reviewed yourself,” Perhach says.

When you are looking for information for a story or project, you might be inclined to start with a regular Google search. But keep in mind that the internet is full of false information, and websites that look trustworthy can sometimes turn out to be businesses or companies with a vested interest in you taking their word as objective fact without additional scrutiny. Regardless of your writing project, unreliable or biased sources are a great way to torpedo your work—and any hope of future work.

Author Bobbi Rebell researched her book Launching Financial Grownups using the IRS’ website . “I might say that you can contribute a certain amount to a 401K, but it might be outdated because those numbers are always changing, and it’s important to be accurate,” she says. “AI and ChatGPT can be great for idea generation,” says Rebell, “but you have to be careful. If you are using an article someone was quoted in, you don’t know if they were misquoted or quoted out of context.”

If you use AI and ChatGPT for sourcing, you not only risk introducing errors, you risk introducing plagiarism—there is a reason OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is being sued for downloading information from all those books.

Audrey Clare Farley, who writes historical nonfiction, has used a plethora of sites for historical research, including Women Also Know History , which allows searches by expertise or area of study, and JSTOR , a digital library database that offers a number of free downloads a month. She also uses Chronicling America , a project from the Library of Congress which gathers old newspapers to show how a historical event was reported, and Newspapers.com (which you can access via free trial but requires a subscription after seven days).

When it comes to finding experts, Farley cautions against choosing the loudest voices on social media platforms. “They might not necessarily be the most authoritative. I vet them by checking if they have a history of publication on the topic, and/or educational credentials.”

When vetting an expert, look for these red flags:

• You can’t find their work published or cited anywhere.
• They were published in an obscure journal.
• Their research is funded by a company, not a university, or they are the spokesperson for the company they are doing research for. (This makes them a public relations vehicle and not an appropriate source for journalism.)

And finally, the best endings for virtually any writing, whether it’s an essay, a research paper, an academic report, or a piece of investigative journalism, circle back to the beginning of the piece, and show your reader the transformation or the journey the piece has presented in perspective.

As always, your goal should be strong writing supported by research that makes an impact without cutting corners. Only then can you explore tools that might make the job a little easier, for instance by generating subheads or discovering a concept you might be missing—because then you'll have the experience and skills to see whether it's harming or helping your work.

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Three Excellent Writing Books for Kids

M ost of us want our children to grow as writers. One way we can support their writing growth is to read helpful writing books like these three books which explicitly teach the craft of writing as well as provide examples and inspiration.

These three writing books will support children who are developing as writers. Use them in the classroom or at home, guiding children and writing with children or asking kids to read the books independently.

Let’s take a look at these writing books and find out what’s covered in each book as well as the best audience for each title.

Writing Books for Kids

Spilling ink: a young writer’s handbook by ann mazer and ellen potter.

Spilling Ink is written by two experienced children’s book authors, Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter , who, besides having lots of books, beautifully explain the craft of writing in kid-friendly language for writers who are ages eight and up. (Adults can learn from this book, too!)

The authors talk specifics about crafting stories. They’ll share about narrative voice, setting, suspense, titles, characters, dialogue, and so forth, as well as the writing process and identity.

Here’s why I recommend this book for your kids (and you). It

• encourages writing anything and breaking the rules
• is broken into manageable section s of information, scaffolding the writing craft into layers
• shares helpful ideas about all aspects of writing
• is memorable with personal stories from both Anne and Ellen
• relatable with examples of how all writers stumble and grow, fail and succeed
• applicable with “I Dare You” ideas to apply the lessons

The Creative Writing Playbook For Kids Only by Megan Wagner Lloyd, illustrated by Madeline Garcia

The Creative Writing Playbook For Kids Only! is a writing book written by Megan Wagner Lloyd , children’s book author of Squished , Haven , and Allergic , among other books. It’s a guided journal for ages 8 to 12 with instructional prompts and blank spaces for you to write.

Writers will learn about the story elements, including planning, character development, and strong verbs. In addition, Megan gives story starters and comic strips to spark creative writing from a prompt.

You The Story by Ruta Sepetys

You The Story is a writing book for teens and adults by acclaimed historical fiction author Ruta Sepetys known for titles like Salt to the Sea and I Must Betray You .

The premise of this writing book is that you will use your own life and the experiences you’ve had, and the people you know to help inform your writing. Your life will give you ideas for writing that will feel authentic because…they are!

Ruta covers plot, character development, voice, perspective, setting, revision, and more. It’s full of her own examples, which helps us understand how you can mine your life to find ideas.

KEEP READING

Journals for Kids

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The post Three Excellent Writing Books for Kids appeared first on Imagination Soup .

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Hughes Creative Writing Fellows’ Craft Conversation

• Post author By 46797344
• Post date April 2, 2024

A reminder that we’re excited to hold our final Hughes Creative Writing Fellows’ Craft Conversation of the year, between the Belarusian poet and translator Valzhyna Mort and our own Samyak Shertok, at 5:00 on Wednesday, April 3, in the Texana Room of Fondren Library. We’ll be having the reception after the event rather than before for this one, so we’ll get right into the conversation at 5:00. For this event, our creative writing fellows lead a public conversation about writing with an author whose work they find especially interesting. If you had the pleasure of hearing Afsheen Farhadi speak with the fiction writer Laura van den Berg last semester, you can look forward to another great evening. We hope to see you there!

Valzhyna Mort is the author of the poetry collections Factory of Tears (2008), Collected Body (2012), and Music for the Dead and Resurrected (2020). She is a recipient of the Lannan Foundation Fellowship, the Bess Hokin Prize from Poetry, Amy Clampitt fellowship, the Gulf Coast translation prize and the Glenna Luschei Prairie Schooner Award. Born in Minsk, Belarus, she teaches at Cornell University and writes in English and Belarusian. Most recently, Mort co-translated Julia Cimafiejeva’s Motherfield (Deep Vellum, 2022) alongside Hanif Abdurraqib.

Samyak Shertok’s poems appear in Poetry, The Cincinnati Review, The Gettysburg Review, The Iowa Review, The Kenyon Review, Best New Poets, and elsewhere. A Fine Arts Work Center Writing Fellow and a finalist for the National Poetry Series, the Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize, and the Jake Adam York Prize, he has received the Robert and Adele Schiff Award for Poetry, the Gulf Coast Prize in Poetry, and the Auburn Witness Poetry Prize. Originally from Nepal, he is currently the inaugural Hughes Fellow in Poetry at Southern Methodist University.

___________

Richard Hermes Lecturer Director, Hughes Fellowships in Creative Writing Department of English Southern Methodist University

• Tags dedman college , english , events , faculty

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Poisonous Potato Update

The (s)mashing update you always asked for!

Imagine being a potato. Now imagine being the potato’s less popular sibling who didn’t inherit the tuber-licious looks the rest of your family possesses. What’s worse is – you're facing the impossible decision of what to do with all this starch? Since neither French fries nor couch potato sat right with you, there's only one option remaining. Congratulations friend, you’re a poisonous potato. 

For years, Minecraft’s own toxic tuber has been neglected and underappreciated, lacking both purpose and usefulness. For years, you – the community – tried to highlight this, working tirelessly to bring it to our attention and literally begging us for more functionality. As of today, your concerns are a thing of the past. 

Mojang Studios is proud to release our most well-boiled update to date that will add so much usability to the poisonous potato that even tater-haters will become devoted spud-buds. The Poisonous Potato Update – rich in both carbs AND features! You asked. We delivered. Or maybe you didn’t ask, but we delivered anyway? In any case, it is HERE! 

GET THE SNAPSHOT UPDATE 

Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition. To install the snapshot, open up the Minecraft Launcher and enable snapshots in the "Installations" tab. You can even play the snapshot on your own Java Realms together with your friends! 

Remember, snapshots can corrupt your world, so please back up your world and/or run the snapshot in a different folder from your main worlds.  

-> DOWNLOAD THE CROSS-PLATFORM SERVER JAR

Poisonous potato add-on.

The roots of the poisonous potato run deep within Minecraft and extends far beyond Java Edition. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the tuber-lar sensation has spread its influence to Bedrock Edition as well. With Jigarbov’s Poisonous Potato add-on , you’ll be able to experience the joy of the poisonous potato the way it was always intended – through blocks and furniture to weapons and armor.

-> GET THE ADD-ON

Gameplay & features.

• Poisonous potatoes – LOTS of poisonous potatoes! 
• A few normal potatoes too! 
• The homeland of all potato kind
• Five spud-tastic biomes: fields, hash, arboretum, corruption, and wasteland 
• Experience the life of a potato – from its inception as a raw potato picked from the fields, through cooked hash browns, to its eventual decay
• Local weather with a-mashing effects 
• Added the Colosseum, home to the lord of potato kind... 
• A whole sack of a-peeling new blocks 
• Rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Niacin! 
• No new mineral blocks. No need! The blocks themselves contain minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron! 
• Added the frying table – everyone asked for it, so we added it. It fries potato things. It's a really nice model! 
• Added functionality to the fletching table. You can now fletch toxic resin into more refined versions of the resin. 
• Added impurities because purity is overrated 
• Added a whole bunch new gadgets that will tune your poisonous potato game up to eleven! 
• You get it by now. They’re all poisonous potatoes... 

TECHNICAL CHANGES 

• The flux capacitor integration now synergizes with quantum voxelization, which enables a 360-noscope enhancing real-time RTX terrain-rendering nightshade multibox spectrum acceleration while optimizing transdimensional entity synchronization for seamless vitelotte-king edwards-russel burbank experiences! 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DOWNLOAD THE UPDATE?

Then you will be the proud owner of the file that contains the update. 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN TERMS OF GAMEPLAY?  

Poisonous potatoes. We hope this article has made that perfectly clear. 

I DON’T BELIEVE I ASKED FOR THIS UPDATE, IF I’M HONEST. 

You might not have – but your brain (or maybe belly) did! 

ARE THERE CURRENTLY ANY OTHER CARB-BASED UPDATES IN THE WORKS? 

Great question! Please look forward to the Radioactive Rice Update and Toxic Taro Update in the very distant future! 

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‘there’s still tomorrow’ & ‘io capitano’ lead italy’s david di donatello award nominations .

• ‘A Very British Scandal’ & ‘Eastenders’ Scribe Sarah Phelps Talks Dealing With Hate Mail & How Writing For A Soap Honed Her Craft — Storyhouse

By Diana Lodderhose

Diana Lodderhose

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Prolific British writer Sarah Phelps , whose television credits include  A Very British Scandal ,  Dublin Murders  and long-running BBC soap drama  Eastenders , encouraged an audience of writers at Dublin’s Storyhouse festival not to get discouraged by trolls or hate mail for their work. 

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She added: “Don’t let it creep into your brain, because they’re designed to make you feel ashamed and designed to make you feel small and designed to make you feel stupid for trying. So, shine a light on it, print it out, put it in a frame, put fairly lights around it, toast it, make friends with it and stare at it until it has none of its power to hurt you.” 

Phelps was a writer on  Eastenders  from 2002 to 2016 and she told the audience of her experience of boarding that series as a writer via the BBC’s Shadow Scheme for aspiring writers of drama. She recalled being one of the few writers on that scheme at the time who had not yet written for television. 

“Tony Jordan was leading the group, the great Tony Jordan, and he said this thing which fired me up so much…but he said the thing, which was right, ‘If you think you can come here to this show and treat it like your cash machine while you’re waiting for Hollywood to discover your greatness, if you think you will come to this show and just treat it like it doesn’t matter, f**k off now, because this show will find you out,’” said Phelps. 

“And I thought this show will never, ever find me out because I love this show with everything that is in my bones, and I could not wait to hit the ground running.”

“The turnaround is so fast and it’s so scrutinized because the actors know their characters better than anybody else and if it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, and you learn very fast because you can’t sit with your script for years.”

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