A 2 Part Memoir Workshop
Saturday May 7th and Saturday May 14th
Level: All Levels
In Writing Hard Stories, author Melanie Brooks defines memoir as “the kind of writing that requires us to dig deep.” And, surely, it does. But how do we delve into our pasts to explore difficult or painful experiences from our lives, and ultimately transform them into works of art? How do we write honestly and effectively while staying true to ourselves and others? Together, we will study excerpts and examples from nonfiction writers who have managed this incredible feat. In this memoir workshop, we will not only focus on craft and technique, but we’ll also discuss the risks of writing raw and difficult material, as well as the rewards of releasing stories born from trauma into the world. Participants will have the opportunity to respond to writing exercises and prompts, to generate new pages, and to share their work in this warm and welcoming setting.
Some examples of writers whose work we'll be discussing in class are Joan Didion, Bernard Cooper, Kathryn Harrison, Andre Dubus III, and others. We will also be looking at some selections that have appeared in The Sun Magazine, such as "My Father, The Tree" by Judith Joyce. We will be doing different writing activities and responding to prompts during class, and there will certainly be opportunities to share, and an opportunity to work on some of what we have discussed/learned in between sessions so we can pick up on what where we left off on the second consecutive Saturday.
+ 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. On Thursday, May 5th, from 5:30pm to 6:00pm, MWPA staff will offer a tech help session on Zoom. Students are encouraged to attend the tech help session, which usually takes only 5-10 minutes, if they have any tech concerns, use Zoom infrequently, or simply would like to test their connection, and those who do not are responsible for ensuring that they are able to use Zoom on their own. The week of the workshop, students will be emailed a link that they may click to enter the test session and 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.
Gina Troisi is the author of the memoir, The Angle of Flickering Light (Vine Leaves Press, 2021), which received a Silver Medal for the 2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards, and an Honorable Mention for the 2021 Paris Book Festival Award for Memoir, and was a Finalist for the 2021 Best Book Awards, and for the 2021 Book of the Year Awards. Her essays have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies, including Fourth Genre, The Gettysburg Review, Fugue, Under the Sun, Flyway: Journal of Writing & Environment, and elsewhere. Her creative nonfiction has been recognized in several national contests, including the Robert C. Jones Prize for Short Prose, 2020, American Literary Review's Creative Nonfiction Contest, 2018, the Autumn House Press Full-Length Contest, 2018, and the Zone 3 Press Creative Nonfiction Book Award, 2015. She has taught classes and workshops in both traditional and nontraditional settings, including writing workshops for female adult survivors of sexual assault. She lives in Eliot, Maine.
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 Meghan Sterling at programs@mainewriters.org.
REGISTER BY PHONE
Call 207-228-8263 and register with your VISA or MasterCard.
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 full scholarship to this workshop for members-only. Scholarships are awarded on a combination of need and merit. Email Meghan at programs@mainewriters.org to see if the scholarship is still available. Application Due on April 21st 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