creative writing school
Module 4: Unknown & Unexpected
structure
Introduction
Theory
Inspirations
Creative writing exercises
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
Theory
Inspirations
Creative writing exercises
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
introduction
Welcome to our creative writing course, where we will immerse ourselves in the concept of disorder. Often associated with chaos and disarray, disorder is also a generative force—a way to subvert expectations, dismantle hierarchies, and rethink conventional systems of meaning. Through this lesson, we’ll explore disorder as both a theme and a method, drawing insights from post-structuralist theory and the chaotic, playful works of artists Ryan Trecartin and Lizzie Fitch.
Their videos feature a frenetic visual style characterized by rapid editing, overlapping dialogue, and surreal imagery, creating an overwhelming sensory experience that mirrors the disorderly nature of modern life. Through their use of non-linear storytelling and disjointed narratives, Trecartin and Fitch challenge traditional notions of coherence and order, instead embracing the fragmented and chaotic nature of contemporary existence.
Disorder can feel uncomfortable; it disrupts, destabilizes, and resists resolution. But it is precisely in this discomfort that creativity thrives. Like a game of Tetris where the blocks never quite fit, disorder invites us to break down traditional notions of coherence and order, reshaping language and meaning in unexpected ways. With a playful mindset, we will explore how to use disorder to unlock new possibilities in our writing.
Their videos feature a frenetic visual style characterized by rapid editing, overlapping dialogue, and surreal imagery, creating an overwhelming sensory experience that mirrors the disorderly nature of modern life. Through their use of non-linear storytelling and disjointed narratives, Trecartin and Fitch challenge traditional notions of coherence and order, instead embracing the fragmented and chaotic nature of contemporary existence.
Disorder can feel uncomfortable; it disrupts, destabilizes, and resists resolution. But it is precisely in this discomfort that creativity thrives. Like a game of Tetris where the blocks never quite fit, disorder invites us to break down traditional notions of coherence and order, reshaping language and meaning in unexpected ways. With a playful mindset, we will explore how to use disorder to unlock new possibilities in our writing.
theory
At the heart of post-structuralist thought lies a critique of structure itself. Thinkers such as Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and Gilles Deleuze challenge the stability of language, the fixity of meaning, and the authority of established systems. Derrida’s concept of différance highlights how meaning is always deferred, constantly shifting within a web of signifiers. Similarly, Foucault examines how disorder is often framed as a threat to power, requiring containment or suppression.
Post-structuralism doesn’t simply celebrate disorder; it questions the frameworks that define order in the first place. Why are certain patterns or structures privileged? What happens when those patterns are disrupted? In writing, this translates into an embrace of fragmentation, multiplicity, and non-linear forms. Disorder becomes a strategy to interrogate not only what we say but how we say it.
As writers, adopting a post-structuralist lens encourages us to think critically about the systems we inhabit—linguistic, cultural, or even syntactical—and to experiment with breaking and remaking those systems in our work.
Post-structuralism doesn’t simply celebrate disorder; it questions the frameworks that define order in the first place. Why are certain patterns or structures privileged? What happens when those patterns are disrupted? In writing, this translates into an embrace of fragmentation, multiplicity, and non-linear forms. Disorder becomes a strategy to interrogate not only what we say but how we say it.
As writers, adopting a post-structuralist lens encourages us to think critically about the systems we inhabit—linguistic, cultural, or even syntactical—and to experiment with breaking and remaking those systems in our work.
inspiration
The collaborative works of Ryan Trecartin and Lizzie Fitch are exuberant explosions of disorder. Their videos and installations revel in fractured narratives, jarring juxtapositions, and hyper-saturated aesthetics. Characters embody multiple identities, dialogue veers into nonsensical tangents, and the line between humor and horror is constantly blurred.
Trecartin and Fitch’s art doesn’t aim for coherence; it thrives on overstimulation and disorientation. Their work challenges traditional storytelling conventions, forcing viewers to navigate a space where meaning is elusive, transient, and often contradictory.
As writers, we can learn from their embrace of excess and fragmentation. How can we create work that disrupts expectations? How can we use disorder as a tool to destabilize, provoke, or enchant?
Trecartin and Fitch’s art doesn’t aim for coherence; it thrives on overstimulation and disorientation. Their work challenges traditional storytelling conventions, forcing viewers to navigate a space where meaning is elusive, transient, and often contradictory.
As writers, we can learn from their embrace of excess and fragmentation. How can we create work that disrupts expectations? How can we use disorder as a tool to destabilize, provoke, or enchant?
creative exercise
In this exercise, we will explore the theme of deconstruction not only as a topic but also in the very shape and structure of our writing. Get ready to play with language, sentence structure, syntax, vocabulary, and punctuation like pieces in a game of Tetris, building and demolishing, constructing and destroying, in a playful and experimental manner.
Step 1: Set the stage
Begin by creating an open and playful mindset. Embrace the idea that there are no rules or limitations in this exercise. Allow yourself to let go of traditional notions of coherence and order in writing. Think of your words as building blocks that you can rearrange and reshape at will.
Step 2: Choose your topic
Select a topic or theme that resonates with you. It could be anything from personal experiences to abstract concepts like identity, reality, or perception. Keep in mind that the goal is not to convey a clear message but to explore the theme through experimentation and play.
Step 3: Deconstruct and reconstruct
Start writing freely, allowing your thoughts and ideas to flow without censorship or judgment. As you write, challenge yourself to deconstruct language, sentence structure, and syntax. Play with vocabulary, punctuation, and formatting in unconventional ways. Experiment with fragmentation, repetition, and juxtaposition to create unexpected and surprising effects.
Step 4: Break the rules
Don't be afraid to break the rules of grammar and syntax. Mix and match words and phrases in unconventional combinations. Use punctuation creatively to disrupt the flow of your writing. Play with spacing, line breaks, and formatting to create visual interest and emphasis.
Step 5: Embrace uncertainty
Embrace the uncertainty and ambiguity that arise from deconstructing traditional forms of writing. Allow contradictions and paradoxes to coexist within your text. Explore the tension between chaos and order, construction and destruction, meaning and meaninglessness.
Step 6: Reflect and revise
Once you've completed your writing, take a moment to reflect on your creative process. Consider how deconstruction and experimentation have influenced the shape and content of your writing. Revise your work if necessary, but remember to maintain the playful and experimental spirit that inspired it.
Step 7: Keep playing
Keep exploring the theme of deconstruction in your writing beyond this exercise. Experiment with different techniques and styles, and continue to push the boundaries of conventional writing practices. Remember, writing is a playful and creative act – so keep playing, experimenting, and exploring new possibilities!
Step 1: Set the stage
Begin by creating an open and playful mindset. Embrace the idea that there are no rules or limitations in this exercise. Allow yourself to let go of traditional notions of coherence and order in writing. Think of your words as building blocks that you can rearrange and reshape at will.
Step 2: Choose your topic
Select a topic or theme that resonates with you. It could be anything from personal experiences to abstract concepts like identity, reality, or perception. Keep in mind that the goal is not to convey a clear message but to explore the theme through experimentation and play.
Step 3: Deconstruct and reconstruct
Start writing freely, allowing your thoughts and ideas to flow without censorship or judgment. As you write, challenge yourself to deconstruct language, sentence structure, and syntax. Play with vocabulary, punctuation, and formatting in unconventional ways. Experiment with fragmentation, repetition, and juxtaposition to create unexpected and surprising effects.
Step 4: Break the rules
Don't be afraid to break the rules of grammar and syntax. Mix and match words and phrases in unconventional combinations. Use punctuation creatively to disrupt the flow of your writing. Play with spacing, line breaks, and formatting to create visual interest and emphasis.
Step 5: Embrace uncertainty
Embrace the uncertainty and ambiguity that arise from deconstructing traditional forms of writing. Allow contradictions and paradoxes to coexist within your text. Explore the tension between chaos and order, construction and destruction, meaning and meaninglessness.
Step 6: Reflect and revise
Once you've completed your writing, take a moment to reflect on your creative process. Consider how deconstruction and experimentation have influenced the shape and content of your writing. Revise your work if necessary, but remember to maintain the playful and experimental spirit that inspired it.
Step 7: Keep playing
Keep exploring the theme of deconstruction in your writing beyond this exercise. Experiment with different techniques and styles, and continue to push the boundaries of conventional writing practices. Remember, writing is a playful and creative act – so keep playing, experimenting, and exploring new possibilities!
stay motivated!
"As we conclude this journey into disorder, I want to leave you with a thought: disorder isn’t just a method; it’s a mirror. It reflects the fractures in the systems we navigate, the contradictions within ourselves, and the endless potential for reinvention. Writing, like life, doesn’t demand perfection or resolution—it asks for engagement, curiosity, and courage.
As you move forward, let disorder guide you not as chaos to be feared but as energy to be harnessed. Resist the pull toward tidy answers. Instead, trust the process of breaking and rebuilding, of letting go and discovering anew. The creative act is not about finding the perfect shape but about exploring the infinite ways to reshape. Keep questioning, keep deconstructing, and keep finding beauty in the unexpected.
Above all, stay bold. Writing is not a retreat into order but a leap into possibility."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
As you move forward, let disorder guide you not as chaos to be feared but as energy to be harnessed. Resist the pull toward tidy answers. Instead, trust the process of breaking and rebuilding, of letting go and discovering anew. The creative act is not about finding the perfect shape but about exploring the infinite ways to reshape. Keep questioning, keep deconstructing, and keep finding beauty in the unexpected.
Above all, stay bold. Writing is not a retreat into order but a leap into possibility."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
Photo: Ryan Trecartin Lizzie Fitch