Ucsd Creative Writing

Many of us have had fascinating lives, whether lived inwardly or outwardly, during childhood long ago or in the past decade. In this course, students will explore methods for planning and focusing on what their memoirs should be.But when it comes to writing a memoir, where do we begin? Use of a plotting tool to create structure will be covered.“In some ways it’s funny to think about the humanities existing in a STEM-heavy school, but it also kind of makes sense, because of course the avant-garde, experimental program is going to be tied to this weird experimental research … The mentality of research that comes from the STEM fields then bleeds over to this inquiry we practice in our creative ways.” It all relates back to two main concepts for Le Roux — creativity and empathy.

Many of us have had fascinating lives, whether lived inwardly or outwardly, during childhood long ago or in the past decade. In this course, students will explore methods for planning and focusing on what their memoirs should be.But when it comes to writing a memoir, where do we begin? Use of a plotting tool to create structure will be covered.“In some ways it’s funny to think about the humanities existing in a STEM-heavy school, but it also kind of makes sense, because of course the avant-garde, experimental program is going to be tied to this weird experimental research … The mentality of research that comes from the STEM fields then bleeds over to this inquiry we practice in our creative ways.” It all relates back to two main concepts for Le Roux — creativity and empathy.

She has also had students stand atop their desks to gain a fresh perspective of the world a la Robin Williams in the film “Dead Poets’ Society.” “It feels like a creative act to me,” Le Roux said about her experiences as a TA to the UCSD Guardian.

“It’s very different than writing, but I can tell when I feel inspired making lesson plans.” These techniques play on her lifelong passion for teaching, as well as on her interest in the concepts of creativity and empathy.

“I think what I notice in students that are more from the STEM background is maybe that they really want a concrete answer on how to be a good writer. The whole point is that you’re an individual voice …

and so when people want it to be formulaic it’s really hard to teach that there is no formula.” Rather than keep these varying mentalities separate, though, Le Roux feels that it is important to realize the connection between them.

In this time, she has not only worked toward her Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, but she has also taught the entire lower-division 8A/8B/8C series, which covers the genres of fiction writing, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Her approaches as a TA are unique, including having students practice close-listening skills and creating connections by answering the New York Times’ “36 Questions that Lead to Love,” which touch on a range of personal and imaginative questions.

Teaching assistants play an instrumental role in the classroom, especially when you’re in a class offered by the UC San Diego Department of Literature.

They grade your papers, offer writing advice, and facilitate conversations about the works the class is reading.

“I think good writing comes from a place of empathy, …

all good art makes you empathize with someone you might not normally.” Her advice for fellow aspiring writers? “By working part time, I was able to keep making work.” She went on to talk about how many of her friends became so wrapped up with their professional jobs after graduating that they neglected their personal writing.