Many of us have lived fascinating lives whether inwardly or outwardly, during childhood long ago or as adults in the last decade. But when it comes to writing a memoir, where do we begin? The day of our birth? The day we left home? The beginning or end of a relationship? Memoir is most successful when it is not the “story of a life,” but a focused part of that life—a dozen summers spent working on a grandfather’s farm; a long relationship with a dying relative; the first year of law school.

In “Writing the Memoir,” we discuss how to plan, focus, and begin a memoir. What makes for good subjects in memoirs? Examples include a relational memoir, one focused on mother and daughter or father and son; a memoir of passionate interest, a love of reading or mountaineering; a memoir of a phase or era, time spent in Mexico, a divorce, the death of a favorite uncle. We also explore the differences between autobiography and memoir and address the idea of self-disclosure. There is time for multiple writing exercises, readings from published memoirs, discussion of the tension between emotional and factual truth, ideas about truth-telling for memoirists, and one-on-one sharing and critique. The goal will be to draft the material for the first chapter of a memoir.

Longer workshops feature more in-depth exercises in recalling people, places, and events; the use of essay and reflective writing in the memoir; private critique sessions with the instructor; more detailed readings; and advice on publishing.

* for venues with desks or tables that accommodate up to 20 people.

- These descriptions can be used for advertising or promotion.
- Author photo, book cover, posters, and postcards are available upon request.

tlarson@adnc.com

price: negotiable.
typically I sell my book (PB: $15)

REFERENCES:
Cinny Green, director, Narrative Arts Center, Santa Fe, NM 505-988-9185, edit@thema.us
Susan E. McBeth, organizer, Warwick’s Bookstore, La Jolla, CA warwicksevents@yahoo.com
Heather Goodwillie, assist. editor, San Diego Reader, 619-235-3000, x283 calico@nethere.com
Judy Reeves, writer and writing instructor, 619-284-1343, JAReeves@mac.com