Memoir Writing Level One: Getting Started with Marja Mills

The things we love about engaging memoirs are also what make them challenging to write. The best memoirs do more than capture memories. They put our experiences in context and explore their meaning. They tell the stories of our lives.

Whether you hope to publish a memoir, chronicle periods of your life or record family stories, this supportive workshop focuses on how to write about your experiences with clarity and style, specificity and substance. Participants might be contemplating a book-length memoir or a series of vignettes. Or they simply might be looking to explore what they want to write. New York Times bestselling memoirist Marja Mills will offer tips on finding your focus and getting started. She’ll share excerpts from a variety of memoirs and personal essays, offer tips on organizing your material, and discuss ways to write compelling passages about people and places.

Each week, students have the option of doing short, voluntary homework—usually a couple of paragraphs—to share with the others.  Part of each class is devoted to participants reading aloud their short passages and, along with the instructor, offering constructive comments on one another’s work. 

This class fills up. Register early to secure your spot.