Caroline Martin
asked
Jeff VanderMeer:
Mr. VanderMeer! I read Wonderbook from cover to cover and loved it. I'm a high school teacher with 7 years experience, mostly AP Literature & Composition and British Literature. I will be teaching Creative Writing for the first time in the fall. The students will be sophomores, juniors and seniors. Any advice on how to promote creativity without having the kids go wild for shock value? Thanks for any and all help.
Jeff VanderMeer
Hi, Caroline! It's wonderful that you're a high school teacher. I help run the Shared Worlds teen SF/F writing camp and have a little bit of insight into this subject. I actually tested parts of Wonderbook at Shared Worlds. I found that the Story Lizard image and the Story Fish were good images to spark discussion. As for promoting creativity, I think some of the LARP stuff by Karin TIdbeck in the back of Wonderbook might be of use. But also the folktale exercise. I can also share a couple of more if you email me at vanderworld at Hotmail.com. I'd also be curious on things that have worked for you, and if you do teach anything out of Wonderbook I'd love to know how it goes.
More Answered Questions
Chris
asked
Jeff VanderMeer:
Why do you think there is a chasm in the minds of reviewers, the media, and readers in general between "literary" fiction and "genre" fiction (specifically sci-fi/fantasy)? I often find the most accurate depictions of humanity, its foibles, minor triumphs and resonant truths coming from well-crafted, thoughtful genre fiction authors such as yourself.
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