English in a Flash: Creative Short-Form Writing in English

Designed as a series of hands-on workshops, this course combines creative writing, literary studies, advanced English language practice as well as zine- and pamphlet-making to let us appreciate one of the most popular contemporary literary genres: the short-short. We read selected examples of its three types: flash nonfiction, flash fiction and prose poem to observe how such very short texts (from 6 to 750 words) use language to suggest larger narratives. We read as writers, that is, we treat short-shorts as our master texts to borrow their strategies (for example, scene, summary, point of view, voice, figures of speech) to experiment further. We compose creative texts weekly to strengthen our habits of writing and communicating. Through writing, we explore subjects that intrigue us. We share our texts in open mics and self-made publications to consider our audiences and become stronger communicators.

What do we do together over the semester?

• get to know the literary genres of flash nonfiction, flash fiction and prose poetry;
• read like writers (to explore the connection between good reading and good writing);
• experiment with writing short-short genres and their hybrids;
• produce texts week by week;
• further our expertise in stylistic and linguistic analysis of literary texts;
• develop effective practices of peer reviewing and self-editing;
• reflect on our own writing, both in English and in our home languages;
• self-publish our texts (open mics, DIY publications);
• expand our knowledge of Creative Writing as an academic discipline;
• improve our writing, reading, listening and speaking skills in English;
• create a community of writers, artists, activists.

What techniques and mediums assist us?

• weekly writing games and invitations to write (in class and between workshops);
• weekly drafting of texts (works-in-progress);
• discussions of master texts, peer texts, writing strategies and habits;
• submissions, peer reviews, open mics and self-publication (zines, artists’ books, literary photobooks);
• field trip, guest writers and artists;
• analogue making (collages, photomontages, doodles, drawing, simple book structures, etc.);
• reviewing master texts (‘One Point of Interest’ reviews);
• reflecting on our own craft (keeping a writer’s journal);
• assembling a portfolio which documents our progress throughout the course.