By now, you should have at least two unconnected short stories: the setting story (about 200 words or less) and at least one other story with a length of about 500 words. Ambitious writers may have more drafts. Lazy ones (who will not be able to complete this project) will not even have two.
Today, please start a third story. New setting or characters or theme. Your choice. The idea, again, is to write a complete story in a relatively short amount of time. Let your mind go and trust it.
Having trouble? Use Damon Knight's advice from the article "Getting Ideas" to get ideas. Particularize your ideas. Complicate your story by introducing another character or event or circumstance that makes the outcome more uncertain. Use constraints. Use the quadrangle: character, setting, situation, emotion to find your theme.
Keep track of time. You should have a new story draft by the end of class. If you finish early, please start another story. Yes. Another one. The goal here is to write effectively and with ease. Do not over think this (particularly in your first drafts).
HOMEWORK: Complete The Martian Chronicles (there will be a test Friday).
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