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Writers Retreat > Student Talk > Course Lessons > Assignment 2 > Assignment 2??
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FacePaint
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« on: July 23, 2010, 12:21:40 AM »
I am slightly confused as to the nature of this...Assignment Two. It says just write a "description" of a child, which is for the most part easy, but I have the feeling it's not just that. I'm right, aren't I? It's a 500-word story, isn't it. That makes this a wee bit more difficult than I had hoped.

So, basically, Assignment 2 is a 500-word story about a specific child, correct? I have to write a short story, shorter than I've ever written, about a child doing something. Solving a problem, getting him or herself out of a sticky situation, something of that manner. I find this hard when I'm wanting to write for teens. I don't remember ever liking short stories, even when I was in primary school. I always read the bigger books, so I'm finding it difficult to write according to the standards that have apparently been set for children of younger ages. Perhaps I shouldn't have signed up for this, knowing I'm not good at short stories.

On writing for teens: I'm barely out of my teens myself, so that's my strong point right now. But is that really a good thing to do or is it okay since I'm just beginning this course?

Answers or at least some form of reply or discussion would be much appreciated.

~Jaime
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jfields
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« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2010, 09:10:02 AM »
In the course you're in...the seven lesson course. Assignment 2 is a description of a child, NOT a story. Don't try to make it a story. Your instructor wants you to follow the manual. If it says description, then don't try to make it a story.
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Beth Consugar
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« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2010, 12:34:35 PM »
Don't be so down on yourself. I have a tough time writing short stories and short articles, but that's why we are in the course, right? To learn. By the end of the course you will learn how to cut your material down a bit.

The course is designed to encourage (I don't like to use the word force) you to follow guidelines. All magazine and book publishers have them. Look at what some magazines require or allow - some of them allow pieces as long as 2,500 words. So, don't be discouraged. You can do it!
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Mikki S
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« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2010, 01:03:12 PM »
I'm just curious...when I took the first ICL course, Writing for Children and Teens,  my manual came with 10 lessons, which were really 12 because two of them had A/B parts.  This was in 2006/7.

So is there now a shorter course for the same one, or is it an entirely different course?  Like I said, I'm just curious.  I sometimes try to help people on here when they ask about certain lessons, but if my manual from that time is different, then maybe the suggestions I give don't really apply.
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« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2010, 02:12:00 PM »
Mikki -

There are two courses - the one you took (which is what I am taking), and a shorter course that has seven lessons (I think that's how many it has).

No worries - your suggestions are fine!
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« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2010, 03:45:23 PM »
The course you took is still around. The school just offers folks a second option if they don't respond to the first option when it's offered (they did this back in 2006-2007 too). That way they can offer something that costs less. The seven-lesson version cuts out ALL mention of books and presents some of the same lessons in a different order. So if someone seems to be talking about something VERY different for a lesson, they're probably on the short course.

Since FacePaint's manual is talking about a "description" for Assignment 2, then she's in the short version of the course and Assignment 2 is similar to the long-course 5A. She's to observe a real child for a few minutes. Then write a very objective description of that child. No story. JUST A DESCRIPTION -- since Facepaint wants to write about teens, she should observe and describe a teen since she'll eventually get to write a story with that teen as a character in a later assignment (and the story will be well longer than 500 words).
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Mikki S
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« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2010, 04:29:47 PM »
Thanks, Jan and Beth, I wasn't sure, and i don't want to answer a question about an assignment and give them a wrong answer or suggestion which doesn't work.
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FacePaint
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« Reply #7 on: August 04, 2010, 04:47:14 PM »
Thank you very much! I'm glad there are two versions. I forgot to mention I was taking the Writing for Magazines course. I remember what one of the letters about the two courses said. The full course has writing for both books and magazines, but I was only able to join the one I mentioned before.

Now that I know what it is I'm supposed to do, I'm very close to finishing. I'm still late, again, but it won't be by nearly as much time. Yay!

~Jaime
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LindaK
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« Reply #8 on: August 05, 2010, 08:14:01 PM »
If I have completed the first course (6 years ago) can I apply to use the short-course as a refresher?

Linda
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« Reply #9 on: August 05, 2010, 08:27:49 PM »
I have no idea. Sounds like a student services question.
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« Reply #10 on: August 05, 2010, 09:18:53 PM »
Sure. I'll share the reply.

 Smiley  Linda
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« Reply #11 on: August 06, 2010, 12:27:56 PM »
Thanks, Linda. Kiss
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