Course Syllabus

Creative Writing

Course Description

Develop your writing skills in a series of inspiring exercises, workshops, and one-to-one tutorials. With an emphasis on the playful generation of new ideas and material, this class will explore the technical challenges of different literary forms and genres and address the practical issues of drafting and fine-tuning fiction.

In weekly double sessions, we will focus on the nuts and bolts of committing imaginative ideas to the page. You will learn some of the essentials of the writer’s toolkit and experiment with different forms of writing to expand your range. Themed sessions will include narration, description, setting and plot, structure, characterization, dialogue, and adaptation.

In this hands-on, practical class, you will discover new ways to craft your observations and ideas into compelling stories and narratives. Through reading the work of acclaimed authors, playwrights, screenwriters, and essayists, you will learn to analyze what challenges and inspires you. By the end of the Course, you will be self-editing effectively and applying what you have learned to your own creative output.

Learning Objectives of the Course

• To develop and put to use a toolkit of basic craft techniques to improve your creative writing skills
• To discover new writers, playwrights, and screenwriters and to learn techniques from them
• To sharpen your own desires and writing goals
• To develop a portfolio of work that draws on both your imaginative journeys and real-life experiences
• To learn to critique your own work and that of others effectively and constructively

Course Instructor: Rhea Leman

M.F.A. in creative writing, Lesley University, Cambridge U.S.A., Teaching Diploma from EU’s writing program North by Northwest, Copenhagen, B.F.A. major in dance and performance, Boston Conservatory of Music, Boston U.S.A. Chairwoman of The Danish Theater Council and member of The Danish Arts Council (2003-2007).

Since moving to Denmark in 1981, Leman has been working as a writer, playwright, screenwriter, theater, radio, and TV director. Her plays have been performed throughout Europe and the U.S.A. and she has received several awards for her work. With DIS since 2018. 

Expectations

I expect you to read widely and come to class prepared with questions, ideas, and examples of inspiring writings you have discovered. You must be ready to share your work with the class, tackle short, on-the-spot writing assignments, and actively engage in discussion; class participation will contribute to your final grade. Regardless of whether the work under consideration is by an established writer or a fellow student, I expect you to read it closely and share your thoughts intelligently. I expect you to contribute and help create a positive, creative, and supportive environment.

DIS Academic Honor Code: "Submit our own work and never allow others (including Chat GPT or other AI) to write any part of our papers or exams unless explicitly otherwise by your faculty/syllabi."

Readings

Beautiful World Where Are You by Sally Rooney

On Writing by Stephen King

Cat Person by Kristen Roupenian

The Sopranos (tv episode) by David Chase

My Struggle Book 1. by Karl Ove Knausgaard

The Trouble with Happiness by Tove Ditlevsen

When Harry Met Sally by Nora Ephron

ONGOING IN-CLASS READINGS WILL BE ANNOUNCED

Participation, Opportunities, and Evaluation

You will write three complete pieces of fiction and/or two complete pieces of fiction and one stage or screenplay  -  over the course of the semester, all of which will be revised, workshopped, and turned in for a final grade.

Please take notice of the word count for each assignment. The title must include your name, the nature of the assignment (i.e. Draft or Final Version), and a title. 

Grading Elements

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There, you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org