Today marks the beginning of summer
school. This is my first time teaching this summer. Condensing 16 weeks’ worth
of learning into 5 weeks will be tough, but I think I’m up for it. Certainly
some things have to go, but I feel that I’ve retained the core of what I need
to.
After comparing my summer course to
the regular semester, I feel like I’ve put it under the editing knife, chopping
out everything that wasn’t needed. But if that’s the case, then why do I have
it in there for the regular semester? I think that all of it is necessary, but
the form has changed. During the regular semester the course is a novel. During
summer, it’s more of a novella.
I think novella is the right choice
because it’s that awkward length that, with a little push, could turn it into a
novel. The length of summer classes feels awkward, unnatural, like there needs
to be more, but there just isn’t any more. But what is there is a quick,
intense read.