Category Archives: writing workshop
On Writing and Structure…
Lately I’ve been working on a series of articles that combine insights from 14 interviews on talent management (nothing memoir-related there, more’s the pity), and also consulting with an old friend on a book on innovation he’s writing. The combination … Continue reading
Why memoir writers need to read fiction
For the longest time–decades–I’ve been reading nonfiction. Autobiographies and memoirs, biographies and oral histories, you can imagine. It wasn’t just my obsessive interest in the craft of writing about life–it was some kind of Yankee holdover from my ancestors, some … Continue reading
“Celebration of Writing” at Goodman South Madison Library May 5th
I’ll be master of ceremonies at next Saturday’s “Celebration of Writing” at the Goodman South Madison Library. I hope if you’re in town you’ll stop by and enjoy the fellowship of fellow writers. The fun begins at 1:00pm with your choice … Continue reading
“No one can be damaged by someone telling his own life story”
Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea and focus of criticism over truth in memoir (about which I blogged previously), is back in the news–and the courtroom. Four people who bought Mortenson’s books have brought a lawsuit against Mortenson, co-author … Continue reading
“Autobiography is like chocolate for the brain.”
I’ve just finished reading Dr. Gene Cohen’s The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain. Talk about sweet food for thought! In Dr. Cohen’s book, published in 2005, he teaches us much about the rich possibilities for the life of … Continue reading
Upcoming Workshops Late Spring 2012
“Remember to Write” starts 4/19 in South Madison In this workshop we’ll spend six evenings discussing how to structure your stories, how to organize your project, and how to deal ethically with writing about living people. Participants read their work, … Continue reading
Salad Tamate, or, a Tale of Two Tomatoes
Recently I’ve been working on curriculum for cookbook-memoir classes–one to be taught online, another for a local class at our food coop. This has me trolling for ideas among my notes from the “Meals and Memory” workshop for the Odyssey … Continue reading
Start Writing Your Memoir “1-shot” at UW Mini Course 2/29
In this three-hour workshop through UW Mini Courses we’ll do exercises to increase memory recall, practice writing, and discuss issues unique to autobiographical writing. You’ll leave with three original “story starters” and a plan for turning them into the start of your … Continue reading
Westside Senior Center February 22 class cancelled
Due to low registrations, I will not be offering the Wednesday midday class at the Westside Senior Center as planned. Stay tuned–I’m working with the center to find a different day and time that will hopefully work for more of … Continue reading
What makes you, you? A TED Talks video muses on answers…
Julian Baggini, the author of several books about philosophy, presented at TEDxYouth@Manchester musing on questions like… Are you your memories? Your beliefs and desires? Your molecules and how they’re arranged? Why are you more than a collection of your parts? How … Continue reading
True Stories Well Told 