Writing, Revision, and What's Next

Today class will be devoted to writing, sharing, revising, and more writing! Yeah!
Yes.

Here's some good advice I found on writing hint fiction: (taken from http://hintfictionland.wordpress.com/)

Here are three questions to make your hint fiction story better 1. Does the title work? When you’re writing something this short, the title matters. On the Every DayFiction blog, Swartwood writes that the title is one of the form’s biggest hints. He calls it the setup to the joke. And, yes, the story is the punchline. Successful titles play a role in the overall story, as should be the case with any fiction or poetry form, yet hint fiction has little room for a story to develop and will most likely need the title to make it a success. When you write a hint fiction story, examine your title and ask yourself if it contributes to the rest of the story. Playing with words can be as fun as playing on the playground when you were a care-free six year old.

2. Does the story suggest something larger or more complex? Swartwood created hint fiction with the idea that this form would do exactly what the above question asks: it hints at something grander. Does yours? 

3. Does the story line contain a spin? This question is not essential to writing a successful short fiction, but it can help, according to a reviewer on Amazon.com: Many of the best of these stories share a technique: they set you up to think one way but, with the last sentence, spin you around. In that moment of confusion all the pieces are up in the air; how the puzzle comes back together is your version of the story, Dan Costin writes. Tricking or playing with the reader is a good tactic to try. So, why don’t you write your own hint fiction story? At first, it might be hard… When I write one, I try to think of something that matters or some instance that changes everything. Remember, word choice requires plucking active, energetic, exact words and using them in a way that flows naturally and distinctly. Play with your words; it’s the only way to write better.


So, when revising look for three things:
1. A significant title
2. Does the story hint at something more complex/larger? Or is it too basic, not quite hinting, but simply stating.
3. Is the story interesting? Does it have a unique point, even if it's a confusing journey getting there?


Go back, write some more.

HW: Complete up to 2 hint fiction stories, typed.  

Next Tuesday, we'll have a hint fiction analysis assessment in class. We'll practice the form on Monday.