Write Your Travel Memoir, Winter/Spring 2010

Relive the joys and challenges of your travels as you bring home the lessons learned by writing down the stories. Writing a travel memoir is a spectacular opportunity to practice the craft of creative nonfiction writing, as well as to discover new perspectives on your life. In this class, you will explore writing character and place descriptions, staging scenes, and conveying lessons learned. You'll work on transforming your travel experiences into autobiographical essays suitable for sharing with friends and family, or submitting for publication.

Online Program: Write Your Travel Memoirs
1/23 Story Circle Network workshop starts. Exclusively for women. Meets online. 5 weeks. $160.

"I learned basics of writing travel memoir—techniques for gathering material on the road, finding the story within the story, organizing and writing the memoir. When I leave for vacation next month, I'll be taking what I've learned in Sarah White's course along with me". —Kathy W., Austin TX

For more info visit http://www.storycircleonlineclasses.org/classes/white.winter2010.php

Madison area: Write Your Travel Memoirs Mini-Course
2/25 UW Mini-Course starts, meets at Memorial Union. Thursdays, 6:00-8:00pm. 3 weeks. $29.50.

Online Program: Write Your Travel Memoirs Mini-Course
3/27 Story Circle Network workshop starts. Exclusively for women. Meets online. 3 weeks. $96.

Madison-Area Memoir Writing Programs Winter/Spring 2010

For every life there’s a unique story. Start writing yours. Whether you want to share your own life experiences or pass on your family’s stories, these classes will help you get started and stay motivated. Choose a location and time convenient for you.

1/12 South Madison workshop starts, meets at South Madison Library Branch, 2222 South Park St. Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00pm. 6 weeks. Free.

1/25 Fitchburg workshop 1 starts; meets at Fitchburg Senior Center. Mondays, 1:00-3:00pm. 6 weeks. $40.

2/23 Westside workshop starts, meets at Westside Senior Center. Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30am. 8 weeks. $40.

3/24 Oregon workshop starts, sponsored by Oregon Senior Center, meets at State Bank of Cross Plains, 744 N. Main Street in Oregon. Wednesdays, 1:00-3:00pm. 6 weeks. $40.

4/19 Fitchburg workshop 2 starts; meets at Fitchburg Senior Center. Mondays, 1:00-3:00pm. 6 weeks. $40.

4/8 UW Mini-Course starts, meets at Helen C. White on campus. Thursdays, 6:00-8:00pm. 6 weeks. $44.95.

Beginning and continuing writers age 14-114 welcome in all workshops.

Memoir Writers’ Story Nights will follow most of these workshops. Attendees will enjoy readings by workshop participants, plus refreshments and conversation. Contact me for upcoming schedule. Story Nights are free and open to the public.

These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission.

About my memoir writing workshops
In my workshops we explore different aspects of the writing craft. I suggest topics, and ask participants to write on their life experiences. Each class meeting includes time to share what participants have written. Lively discussion ensues, as we reflect on each other’s experiences, insights, and unique writing talents.

Workshop length varies. The core offering is 6 weekly sessions, two hours each, but I have also done workshops with as few as one and as many as ten sessions. The workshop can be repeated up to three times a year, with new topics and teaching material each time. A public Story Night can be offered at the conclusion of the writing workshop.

Fees vary. I place great importance on keeping the cost of my workshops low, so that people of all means can participate. I form ad-hoc partnerships with organizations to present my memoir writing workshops. In most cases participants pay a modest fee. Fees are typically $40 for six weeks of two-hour sessions. Similar workshops offered for profit can run $100 and up. This fee covers about half my cost in presenting the workshops; I try to match the participant fees with grants.

Enrollment is limited to enhance small-group interaction. Maximum capacity for each workshop is 20 participants, minimum 10 (for good group dynamics). A mix of beginning and ongoing writers are welcome.

Ability to participate fully is key. This workshop is suitable for anyone with sufficient cognitive and physical abilities to write, read aloud, and participate in discussions. Severe limitations in hearing, vision, or writing by hand (for note-taking) may be frustrating to a participant.