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The textbooks and handouts have a number of exercises designed to
lead you into the creative process. I call these exercises
games, because you should do them playfully.
These games all involve expressing insights or perceptions in words; they also involve focusing your attention in directions or ways that may be new to you. The spirit with which you approach the games should blend playfulness and seriousness. The games are not quizzes or tests, nor are they therapy or meditation; they are games: to be taken seriously in their own terms, but to be played with enjoyment.The games are a process of discovery, a dialogue that will draw out things we know but were not aware of. The games focus on specific aspects of poetry or fiction, and produce ideas that can be developed into finished poems or short stories. Many of the games will be played out of class; however, they are not complete until they are discussed in class many of the class sessions will be readings and discussions of your responses to the games. The discussion of the games is an essential part of their value in giving you insight into writing creatively. |