Writing Memoir – in Hobart - with ROSIE DUB
2.5 hours x 10 sessions
March to December - 3rd Thursday of each month, 6.30 – 9 pmCommencing Thursday 20 March 2008
What is memoir? How does it differ from other forms of biographical writing? What are the ethics of writing memoir, and how do you do it well?
Writing memoir involves delving into the past, making meaning from it and bringing it to life for the reader. It is a rewarding and often healing process, but the emotional roller coaster of reliving the past means many people get lost along the way.
This series of monthly workshops is designed to give participants support and encouragement, as well as the technical skills needed to complete a memoir or a series of short pieces.
The emphasis will be on writing exercises and group workshopping of participants writing, in order to illustrate aspects of the craft of writing and develop each individual's work. Each session will be divided into three parts: a discussion of the 'craft' of memoir writing; a writing exercise; and workshopping.
Programme
~ Where to start? – defining memoir and looking for life themes
~ Scrutinising your life - finding plot in the punctuation points
~ Outlines – selecting and developing scenes
~ Plot/Structure –weaving a narrative and creating a framework
~ Creating links – using photographs, objects, the senses
~ Writing from memory – the nature of truth~ Characterisation – even 'real' people need to be credible
~ Description – creating a strong sense of place
~ Endings – tying up the loose ends
~ What next – polishing and submitting your work to publishers.
Participants will be expected to write between sessions. For the first class participants are required to bring an idea and if possible, about eight copies of an opening page.
For subsequent classes, in order to maximise useful class workshopping time it would be best if chapters/scenes were emailed to other participants approximately one week before the next session.
