Category Archives: writing workshop
“Reminiscence Bump”–interesting findings for memoir writers
One of my fearless, peerless writers told me she was suddenly experiencing panic attacks. About the same time, I came across a reference to the “Reminiscence Bump.” I think she might have bumped into it. The “Reminiscence Bump” refers to … Continue reading
Please help us improve lives by preserving stories
I’ve come to know some members of our community who need our help. Your small donation to the Odyssey Project, a course in the humanities for adults facing economic barriers to higher education, will help bring a writing workshop to … Continue reading
Memoir Writers’ Story Night in Madison this Thursday!
A “Story Night” featuring readings by the South Madison Memoir Writing Workshop will take place Thursday May 19, 6:30 pm, at the Goodman South Madison Branch Library, 2222 South Park Street. For six weeks these fearless, peerless writers laughed, cried, and wrote together. Now we’d like … Continue reading
A writing exercise for “Meeting your Characters”
Last summer I had my first experience teaching writing without the focus on memoir, when I taught a class for Story Circle Network titled, “Summer Fun and Games for Writers.” Here is an excerpt from a lesson, followed by a … Continue reading
So you want to publish your book…
I hear from people frequently who start by saying, “I have written a book and I want to get it published.” I’m always excited to hear that someone has WRITTEN their book–as opposed to thinking about it–but I sigh. So many … Continue reading
A guest post from writer, blogger, and personal historian Hawley Roddick
I recently came across my colleague Hawley Roddick blogging on TalkingWriting.com. I asked her if she would be willing to share some of her thoughts on True Stories Well Told. She agreed–and what follows is my prompting question, and her … Continue reading
Three Cups of Tea (and truth in memoir)
A fight has broken out over whether mountaineer Greg Mortenson made up portions of Three Cups of Tea, his memoir about building schools in Pakistan that he leveraged into major public donations. If this is news to you, catch up … Continue reading
A tip on keeping your writing active
The following is from a lesson for a Story Circle Network class I taught titled “Summer Fun and Games for Writers.” When I ask you to describe a character, you will be tempted to write using forms of the verb … Continue reading
Book review: A Week at the Airport
By happy coincidence, I had Alain de Botton’s A Week at the Airport on my reading stand at the same time April Manning posted on her blog a fantastic musing on how she loves the airport. I love airports too. My ears … Continue reading
“Five Stages of Memoir”
Reading the New York Time’s Book Review from Sunday, March 20, I came across this sentence written by Susan Cheever, the opening line of her review of John Darnton’s Almost a Family. “We are all familiar with the five stages … Continue reading
True Stories Well Told 