"The Red Convertible" by Louise Erdrich

Post your response to "The Red Convertible" in the comments section. (E-mail me with your response if you can't post.) In a paragraph or so, indicate what you think about Lyman in this story. Is he different in this story versus "Lyman's Luck"? Also indicate which of these two stories you prefer and why.

Also, for tomorrow, pick a passage from the story (anywhere from a paragraph to a page) that you find noteworthy. Either you think it's particularly well written or you have a question about it. Be prepared to talk about the passage you picked and why you picked it.

Prompt: The Red Convertible

Write something that starts with a character getting in the car above -- in that setting -- and driving it somewhere. Anywhere. It can have one scene. Several scenes. One character. Several. It can be a poem or a story. Work on it for at least 45 minutes. Turn it in when you're done or when class is over, whichever comes first.

"Lyman's Luck" by Louise Erdrich

Post your response to "Lyman's Luck" in the comments section. (E-mail me with your response if you can't post.) In a paragraph or so, describe what the story is about -- what's its "intention"? I'm not asking you to summarize the story. Tell me what the point is. Also tell me whether you think the story is interesting? Why or why not? Keep the elements of fiction in mind as you respond.

Apr 27 - 11.11 WAM Prompt

Write something about this woman. Turn it in by the end of class.

Write a One-Page Story About a...

...rug! Turn it in on my desk by the end of the period.

"The Rug" by Meg Mullins

After reading "The Rug," click here to refresh your memory about the elements of fiction we've talked about so far this semester. In the comments section, post a short paragraph or so about how one of those elements (Beginning, Ending, Details, etc...) relates to "The Rug." If you have trouble posting, e-mail your paragraph to me and I'll post it. We'll talk about the story on Thursday.

On Wednesday morning, check the blog again for that day's writing assignment. I want everybody (even those who have conference drafts due) to complete the writing assignment and put it on my desk by the end of the period.

Also, 7th Grade Folk: be ready to start practicing on Thursday for your upcoming reading. Aim for 7-8 minutes of reading material.

Thanks.

"The Legend of Pig-Eye" by Rick Bass

Really great short stories often have more than one iron in the fire. By that I mean there's the main plot and there's also a sub-plot. The two are usually connected in some way.

In "The Legend of Pig-Eye," the main plot -- or the central question we want to answer -- has to do with whether or not Mack (the narrator) will win 100 fights and go to New York.

But underlying that question is another, less tangible one. What do you think it is? (Hint: it has to do with Don [and, to a lesser extent, Pig-Eye].) In the comments section, write a sentence or two describing the sub-plot of "The Legend of Pig-Eye."

Book Reports: May 4-8

Here are the due dates for our final in-class "book reports:"

May 4
Imani
Julia
Antoinette

May 5
Jasmine
Hannah
Sarah

May 6
Laura
Jessica
Lita

May 7
Ceri-Lune
Lily
Natalie

May 8
Carmen
Lauren
Olivia