THURSDAYS, FEB. 5th - March 26th | Writing memoir draws upon all of us. We are the writer, the narrator, and the character living the events recounted. But which events, and how recounted? And how do we organize it all? Our stories rarely leap fully-formed to the page, however well we think we remember all the pieces.
This class will provide concrete help through exploration and practice of narrative distance; scene, summary, and musing; imagery; and the handling of time. We'll explore the challenges of writing about real people and our own lived experience, of placing our narrative in a wider context, and of examining our own motivations, perceptions, and insights. And we’ll have fun learning and practicing the craft in a close community.
If you're committed to finding your story, and telling it as only you can tell it, please join us for 8 weeks of discovery. There will be regular reading assignments and written homework, as well as in-class exercises and sharing of work in a supportive atmosphere. Students will finish the course with a portfolio of work designed to provide both structure and content for moving toward a complete memoir with confidence and skill.
Required class reading: Writing the Memoir by Judith Barrington