Writing Memoirs: the turning points (continued)
How do you know what to put in your memoir? What is too much, what is too little?
Structure and turning points
In this one-day workshop, we discuss how to structure your memoir based on the most important turning points of your life. Turning points are moments in time after which there is no going back.
Outlining techniques
To help you focus on what should be in your story, we discuss outlining techniques like point by point notes, bubbles, trees and combinations of them.
Researching and authenticating
Writing a memoir is more than just sitting down and telling your story. It is also about research and authenticating your story. So we will discuss how to go about researching your book, making sense of genealogical references and maintaining credibility.
Finding your voice
What is your voice in a story? How do we know when we have presented our honest self? It starts with listening to ourselves speak. You often know when you have heard the truth. It is delivered with sincerity and passion without pretense or conditions. We explore how to find and deliver our inner self to the reader.
Writing devices and techniques
To help you write your memoir simply and gracefully, whether you want it published for the world to see or only want to give your family a written account of your life, we explore writing techniques and devices. Devices like: character, plot, dialogue, setting, description, place, action, narrative, point of view, voice, tone. Techniques like: foreshadowing, conflict, irony, humor, climax/resolution, crisis, imagery, hooking the reader, writing as you speak.
Drafts
We discuss how many drafts of the book you may require and the purpose of each draft.
Morning session
The morning session will be spent on turning points, outlining, researching, writing techniques and devices.
Afternoon session
During the afternoon, we will focus on examples from both literature and from your own writing, if you wish to share.
Writing skill level: Beginner to Advanced
Prerequisite: None
Time: 9 AM-12 noon. Lunch break. 1 PM–4 PM
Cost: Free workshop
Sign up to reserve your seat!
Important Note: If you sign up, but cannot attend, please call at least two days before. Thank you.
Instructor: Allen R. Kates, MFAW
Contact Information: Tucson, AZ. (520) 616-7643. allen@writingpublishing.com www.writingpublishing.com.
About the Instructor
Allen R. Kates, MFAW, is a professional book editor, writing coach, ghostwriter, and author. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFAW) degree, an Arizona Community College Teaching Certificate, is Board Certified in Emergency Crisis Response (BCECR) by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, and has conducted numerous writing workshops. He is author of the bestseller, CopShock, Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); among other books, he was the ghostwriter for Just Plain Dorothy, by Dorothy H. Finley, and Gifts My Father Gave Me, by Sharon Knutson-Felix.
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