Narrative Theory/Narrative Fiction

Abstract

This paper outlines the way in which I have used recent narrative theory to inform an advanced undergraduate creative writing unit in narrative fiction, one I have taught for the past few years at Curtin University of Technology. The curriculum includes Theresa de Lauretis on desire and narrative, Paul Ricouer on time and narrative and Cathy Caruth on trauma and narrative, amongst others, and aims to give students an understanding of the productive links that can be made between recent narrative theory and the practice of writing narrative fiction. In the article I discuss the teaching approach I have taken and showcase some of the interesting and dynamic ways students have responded to this curriculum.