All of these stories must be read before the first session of the assignment.
“A good reader, a major reader, an active and creative reader is a rereader.”
Vladimir Nabokov
REREADING
A well-composed piece doesn’t get old, each rereading offers us something new, just as each time we walk down the same street we walk down a new street, on which we may notice new details, colors, minute changes and shifts in smells and sounds. The wealth of information is such that by default our brain is engaged in unconscious editing, depriving us of the investment in details as we become assailed by routines and obligations.
There is no point at which a book, or a movie or a street, or anything for that matter is entirely exhausted of its information and is no longer worth revisiting.
ASSIGNMENT 7: FICTION
First Reading
After each main assignment you'll get a short story to read and discuss during the next class. These stories will be added to this page as well. On your first reading note down all ideas for the potential cover—sketch them out loosely in thumbnail form and prepare to discuss them informally over the course of the next assignment.
The Actual Assignment
Pick one of the stories read over the course of the semester and make at least three sketches for the cover/illustration.
At this stage it’s common practice to go through dozens of very simple sketches, meant only to convey the general idea of the direction. Therefore, don’t spend too much time on these sketches and keep them simple and clear.
Prepare to talk more about the story, do research on the author, maybe even read some criticism (although not on goodreads or amazon).