Online: Put a Little Life into Your Obituary

How will you be remembered? Every life story deserves a polished telling, but that seldom happens in the stressful time following a death. With a little help, you can write a lively, accurate picture of your life suitable for publication when the time comes. Make the task enjoyable by working on it in a group of writers. Open to women only, offered through Story Circle Network. Click here to learn more.

Summer 2011: Odyssey Oral History Project

Do you like to talk, listen, think, and write?
Would you like to be better prepared for college?
Do you have time to take part in a fascinating workshop this summer?

The Odyssey Oral History Project will interview several Odyssey graduates who are 50 or older. The interviews will bring the power of story to the Odyssey Project newsletter and website so all can learn from the successes of our "Odyssey Elders."

The workshop will not only gather compelling stories, but also give students practice at interviewing, writing, and editing. Literacy is crucial to their success. Each program activity is designed to enhance academic writing proficiency.

Open to graduates of the Odyssey Project. Begins June 15. Register by June 1 by emailing Odyssey Director Emily Auerbach at eauerbach@dcs.wisc.edu.

Madison-Area Memoir Writing Programs Summer/Fall 2011

"One-shot" Workshops

Stoughton Library: Write Your Travel Memoir

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. What’s the secret to writing stories others will find compelling? Attend this short talk to find out.

July 18, 7-8pm, Free, no registration required.

UW Mini Course: Start Writing Your Memoir

In this three-hour workshop we'll do exercises to increase memory recall, practice writing, and discuss issues unique to autobiographical writing, such as "what if I can't remember?" and "what if my writing upsets someone I care about?"

We'll practice writers' techniques for discovering themes, writing stories others will find compelling, and finding meaning in life's experiences. You'll have an opportunity to share what you've written in a supportive environment.

You'll leave with three original "story starters" and a plan for turning them into the start of your memoir.

Thursday July 28, 6-9pm. $24.95. To enroll, click here.

Multi-week Workshops

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, this class will help you get started and stay motivated.

Each week we’ll discuss aspects of crafting memoir, including structuring your stories, organizing your project, and dealing ethically with writing about living people.

We’ll practice writers’ techniques for conveying mood, action, and perspective. Each class includes time to share what you’ve written in a supportive environment. You may write on suggested topics or choose your own themes.

What’s the secret to writing stories others will find compelling? You’ll leave this class with a better idea of the answer. You’ll also have an outline for your memoir based on branching points that reveal your core values and life lessons. Over the weeks you’ll produce several essays (3-5 pages) and a plan for writing more.

Beginning and continuing writers age 14-114 welcome.

Choose a location and time convenient for you.

8/25 South Madison: Meets for 6 Thursday evenings, 5:50-7:50pm. (No class September 1.) Goodman South Madison Branch Library, 2222 South Park St. Free.

9/19, Near Hilldale: Meets for 8 Monday lunchtimes, 11:00-12:50. Brown bag lunches welcome. Westside Senior Center, 602 Sawyer Terrace. $40.

To register for a workshop, contact me at 608-347-7329 or whitesarah@charter.net.





	Online: Put a Little Life into Your Obituary How will you be remembered? Every life story deserves a polished telling, but that seldom happens in the stressful time following a death. With a little help, you can write a lively, accurate picture of your life suitable for publication when the time comes. Make the task enjoyable by working on it in a group of writers. Open to women only, offered through Story Circle Network. Click here to learn more. Summer 2011: Odyssey Oral History Project Do you like to talk, listen, think, and write? Would you like to be better prepared for college? Do you have time to take part in a fascinating workshop this summer? The Odyssey Oral History Project will interview several Odyssey graduates who are 50 or older. The interviews will bring the power of story to the Odyssey Project newsletter and website so all can learn from the successes of our "Odyssey Elders." The workshop will not only gather compelling stories, but also give students practice at interviewing, writing, and editing. Literacy is crucial to their success. Each program activity is designed to enhance academic writing proficiency. Open to graduates of the Odyssey Project. Begins June 15. Register by June 1 by emailing Odyssey Director Emily Auerbach at eauerbach@dcs.wisc.edu. Madison-Area Memoir Writing Programs Summer/Fall 2011 "One-shot" Workshops Stoughton Library: Write Your Travel Memoir 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. What’s the secret to writing stories others will find compelling? Attend this short talk to find out. July 18, 7-8pm, Free, no registration required. UW Mini Course: Start Writing Your Memoir In this three-hour workshop we'll do exercises to increase memory recall, practice writing, and discuss issues unique to autobiographical writing, such as "what if I can't remember?" and "what if my writing upsets someone I care about?" We'll practice writers' techniques for discovering themes, writing stories others will find compelling, and finding meaning in life's experiences. You'll have an opportunity to share what you've written in a supportive environment. You'll leave with three original "story starters" and a plan for turning them into the start of your memoir. Thursday July 28, 6-9pm. $24.95. To enroll, click here. Multi-week Workshops 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, this class will help you get started and stay motivated. Each week we’ll discuss aspects of crafting memoir, including structuring your stories, organizing your project, and dealing ethically with writing about living people. We’ll practice writers’ techniques for conveying mood, action, and perspective. Each class includes time to share what you’ve written in a supportive environment. You may write on suggested topics or choose your own themes. What’s the secret to writing stories others will find compelling? You’ll leave this class with a better idea of the answer. You’ll also have an outline for your memoir based on branching points that reveal your core values and life lessons. Over the weeks you’ll produce several essays (3-5 pages) and a plan for writing more. Beginning and continuing writers age 14-114 welcome. Choose a location and time convenient for you. 8/25 South Madison: Meets for 6 Thursday evenings, 5:50-7:50pm. (No class September 1.) Goodman South Madison Branch Library, 2222 South Park St. Free. 9/19, Near Hilldale: Meets for 8 Monday lunchtimes, 11:00-12:50. Brown bag lunches welcome. Westside Senior Center, 602 Sawyer Terrace. $40. To register for a workshop, contact me at 608-347-7329 or whitesarah@charter.net.
					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.