On Writing:A Memoir of the Craft “Long live the King” hailed Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class this superb book gives a practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. (Amazon)

Copies of On Writing can be found in used bookstores, online, at the library, or you can buy a new copy. There are several reprints of the book, and it doesn’t matter which version you buy. This is a book you will want to own and keep in your library. We will have discussion groups about this book during the first 9 weeks of class. You will also create a one-pager for this book. You will feature the TOP 10 tips that resonated with YOU from the book. These should

be things you will consider adding to your writing process. You can create this digitally (like the infographic above) or on paper. You can be as creative and artistic as you’d like to be! The only requirements are: that the 10 tips come from the book, that the ones you select are meaningful and useful to you, and that you present them in a visually interesting way. It will be due by Wednesday, August 21, 2019 (first week of school).

The other part of the summer assignment is to explore online issues of the Adroit Journal (see the column on the right). Analyze what types of writing they accept. You will create a poem or piece of fiction with the intent to submit it for possible publication to The Adroit Journal (make sure you read their submission guidelines!!). This is the first piece we will workshop together when school begins again.

READ ON WRITING AN CREATE A 1-PAGER

This summer, read Stephen King’s On Writing.Create a

one-pager poster on the top ten hints from On Writing that resonated with you. It

can be digital, or on paper. Let your imagination fly! This

is due by 8.21.19

1CREATE A BOOK LIST Select 10 books that you

would like to read. At least five should be in the genre

you write in. Look at contemporary novels as well as roots novels that began

the genre. You and I will conference at the beginning

of the year and develop a reading list for the year.

2CREATE A WORK FOR

SUBMISSION Take some time to read the online issues of The Adroit

Journal. Create a submission piece for Adroit. It will be our first workshopped piece, and

you will submit it to Adroit for possible publication. This

is due by Wed 8.21.19

3

www.theadroitjournal.org The Adroit Journal The Adroit Journal was founded in November 2010 by poet, then high school sophomore, Peter LaBerge. At its foundation, the journal has its eyes focused ahead, seeking to showcase what its global staff of emerging writers sees as the future of poetry, prose, and art. Featured in Best American Poetry, Pushcart Prizes, Poetry Daily, by the New York Times, the Paris Review, Teen Vogue, PBS, and NPR. The journal sponsors the annual Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose for secondary writers, the annual Djanikian Scholars Program for emerging students, and the free, online Adroit Journal Summer Mentorship Program for high school students from around the world.

“We’re looking for work that’s bizarre, authentic,

subtle, outrageous, indefinable, raw,

paradoxical. We’ve got our eyes on the

horizon. Send us writing that lives just between the land and

the sky.” The Adroit Journal

NESA CREATIVE WRITING ACHARN@NEISD.NET

2019 Summer Assignment “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”

Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of Craft