A 5 Week Online Memoir and Nonfiction Workshop
Wednesdays: April 17 - May 15
ALL LEVELS
Whether you are writing a true story that is your own or inherited from another person, we are faced with a series of open-ended questions. From what perspective should we tell a story? What do we do when memory and historicity compete with one another? What is our responsibility to our personal truth versus the way that others experience a series of events? And what do we do with the inevitable emotional contractions that arise in the face of retelling stories of the past? Do we write what something feels like now or do we write how something was experienced back then? And how do we explore “truth” when someone has passed away?
This workshop is for individuals who are writing stories from a first-person perspective. We will focus on the craft of writing and rewriting, as well as explore the different ways to be a nonfiction storyteller. There will be a heavy emphasis on writing from photographs, journals and primary source documents and using audio as a form of story collection. Whether you are writing a memoir, essays, or poetry, this course will engage you in the practice of diversifying perception and perspective. You can be at any stage of the writing process, from percolating ideas to being ready to publish.
+ PLEASE NOTE This workshop will occur ONLINE via Zoom. Students do not need to create an account to participate, but should test out Zoom before their class if they are first-time users. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the class.
+ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT A reliable, fast internet connection (broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE), speakers & a microphone (built-in or USB plug-in), and a webcam (built-in or USB plug-in).
If you would like to quickly and easily test your internet connection and your computer’s compatibility with Zoom, click HERE. Full details on supported Operating Systems, internet browsers, and more can be found HERE. To download and familiarize yourself with Zoom, click HERE.
Rachael Cerrotti is an award-winning author, curator, podcaster and educator. Her debut memoir, We Share The Same Sky: A Memoir of Memory and Migration was the winner of the 2022 Maine Literary Award and followed her narrative podcast (of the same title) which, among many accolades, was listed as one of the best podcasts of 2019 by HuffPost. Rachael recently adapted this project to a traveling museum exhibition that opened at the Florida Holocaust Museum in the fall of 2023. Her storytelling work is used in classrooms worldwide as a way to engage students in their own unique family histories and to teach history through a contemporary lens. She is currently a fellow with The Witness Institute and New America, and hosts the Along The Seam podcast. Rachael lives in Portland with her partner and their pets. Learn more at www.rachaelcerrotti.com.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
All MWPA workshops require advanced registration. We accept registration by phone, mail, and online via our website. We cannot guarantee registration in the final 24-hours before a workshop, and can rarely accommodate day-of registration.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICIES
If you need to withdraw from a class after registering for any reason, please email or call the MWPA immediately. You may be eligible for a partial refund or credit, depending on how far in advance you cancel. → MORE INFORMATION
QUESTIONS
For any questions regarding this workshop, please contact programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
$275 Members/$475 Nonmembers
Registration for this workshop is closed. Please stay tuned for more!
REGISTER BY MAIL
If you prefer to pay by mail, please print this registration form (downloadable PDF) and mail it to the MWPA with a check or credit card information.
SCHOLARSHIP
The MWPA is proud to offer one partial scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Application Due on April 3 at 9:00 a.m.
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MWPA WORKSHOP POLICIES
Registration in any MWPA workshop, program, or event constitutes your agreement to our terms and conditions. → MORE INFORMATION