My writing life began with fiction. It was a delight to study the tools of that particular craft, as for years I wrote, taught, and edited works of fiction. When what would eventually become my memoir began to call to me, it was a significant surprise to realize how much I could rely on those hard-earned techniques. The purpose of this course is to convey these strategies to you, so that you can put them to work in your own memoir.

Before we gather for the first time, a bit of prep work allows us to really springboard into the class. During our week together, we’ll examine how writers of fiction and memoir use similar techniques, and what those techniques are. Part of each day’s take-home assignment includes a bit of reading, as well as a writing prompt that allows you to put theory into practice. You’ll be invited to share the writing you generate from the prompts in workshop.

Topics we’ll cover include building scenes using remembered moments; creating a character on the page, even when that character is you; and the differences between and uses of scene, summary, and reflection. In the process, there will no doubt be useful discussions of sense of place and dialogue. 

Note: While of course you’re welcome—encouraged—to apply what you’re learning to scenes you may have already written, the idea is that you’ll write newly, incorporating information conveyed to you in the class. You’ll be amazed at how this will inspire and improve your writing. 

Come prepared to read and write, to comment and engage; you’ll leave with skills necessary to write a powerful memoir. 

In this workshop, we will generate new writing through guided exercises and prompts; offer feedback/first impressions on writing you produce in our week.