Writing Awards Deadline Extended to Thursday, Feb. 18

If you'd like to enter work in the 2010 Writing Awards Competition, you have until Thursday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. to submit. See full guidelines on the earlier post. (Remember -- you have to play to win. Prizes are $100 + fame. And, in the event of blizzard, $100 will buy a lot of milk and toilet paper.)

UPG Writing Awards: Deadline is Valentine's Day

Love words more than overpriced roses? Could use $100 to cover that Valentine's Day dinner? Don't forget to enter UPG's 2009-10 Writing Awards competition. UPG Writing majors can enter in one category -- creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, or journalism. Here are the quick guidelines:

* Enter 3-5 poems OR 1-2 pieces of creative nonfiction, fiction or journalism. Be sure your name does not appear on your entries.
* Include a cover sheet with your name, full contact information, and the titles of your entries.
* Submit your entry to either Prof. Vollmer or Prof. Jakiela. You can also drop you entry at Prof. Jakiela's office (208 Powers Hall).
* Deadline is 5 p.m. Valentine's Day, Feb. 14 2010.

Entries will be judged anonymously. Awards will be given in all four categories. Prize is $100. For more information, see Prof. Jakiela, e-mail lljakiela@gmail.com, or call 724-836-7481.

Roses. Who needs 'em?

Over-the-Weekend Fun (a.k.a. Assignments)

Work on your Encyclopedia entries. (Remember your letter of the day/week!)

Begin reading: Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life

We'll finish workshop on Tuesday, then move to a discussion of Chapters 4 & 5 in Truth of the Matter. You'll work on your Encyclopedia entries all week. We'll start discussing these on Thursday.

More Six-Word Memoirs

Here are some more examples from the book, Not Quite What I Was Planning (the first collection of six-word memoirs):

After Harvard, had baby with crackhead.
- Robin Templeton

70 years, few tears, hairy ears.
- Bill Querengesser

Watching quietly from every door frame.
- Nicole Resseguie

Catholic school backfired. Sin is in!
- Nikki Beland

Savior complex makes for many disappointments.
- Alanna Schubach

Nobody cared, then they did. Why?
- Chuck Klosterman

Some cross-eyed kid, forgotten then found.
- Diana Welch

She said she was negative. Damn.
- Ryan McRae

Post-Em: Your Six Word Memoirs Here

Here's an invite: in the comments section, post your six-word memoir for a chance to win chocolate. That's right. Chocolate.

To get you started, here's mine: Liked to move the words around.

Now -- your turn.

Assignments: Week 4

Tuesday, Feb. 2: Discussion of NPR Science Story on Time/Novel Experiences Workshop/Firsts Prompts

Thursday, Feb. 4: Workshop Firsts Prompts

Assignment: In your prompts binder, come up with a list of your own essential firsts -- the novel experiences you've had that are vividly recorded in your memory. Make the list as long and as detailed as you can.

Why First Memories Are Strongest (And Why Time Flies When You Get Old)

NPR has a terrific story up about the way people perceive time -- and about the way our brains process "firsts" (those wonderful moments that make for the best memoir prompts). Check it out here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122322542