Course Duration: 6 weeks: 9/11-10/30 (no class Oct 2 & 9) 1:30-3:00 PM
Course Description: “Developing Your Memoir” This is a dynamic six-week writing course designed to help participants explore the rich tapestry of their lives and discover the unique stories waiting to be told. Through a series of engaging exercises and discussions, students will uncover their hidden memories, embrace their vulnerability and develop a deeper connection with their personal narratives. Students will be given in-class writing assignments with the expectation that they will further develop their work between classes and bring it to the next class for discussion. At-home writing development should take about 20 minutes. This course is open to all levels, including beginning writers.
Recommended Text:
Vivian Gornick, The Situation and the Story
Weekly readings will be emailed to students as PDFs.
Week 1: Discovering Your Narrative Lens
- Theme: Introduction to viewing memories through different narrative lenses.
- Reading Assignment: “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr, Introduction and Chapter 2.
- In-Class Exercise: Discuss how different narrative perspectives can alter the understanding and emotional impact of a memory.
- Take-Home Assignment: Write a brief memoir piece from two different perspectives (first person and third person) to explore how narrative perspective shapes the story.
Week 2: Unearthing Core Themes
- Theme: Identifying and developing the central themes of your memoir.
- Reading Assignment: Excerpts from “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion, focusing on thematic development.
- In-Class Exercise: Group brainstorming session to identify and discuss potential themes within personal stories.
- Take-Home Assignment: Write a reflective piece that identifies a central theme in your life and explore a memory connected to this theme.
Week 3: Character Depth and Complexity
- Theme: Developing complex characters, including the portrayal of oneself.
- Reading Assignment: Selections from “Just Kids” by Patti Smith, examining character development and complexity.
- In-Class Exercise: Writing prompts focused on revealing character flaws, motivations, and growth.
- Take-Home Assignment: Create detailed character sketches of two people who will play significant roles in your memoir, including yourself as a character.
Week 4: The Role of Setting in Memory
- Theme: Exploring how settings influence and reflect memories and emotions.
- Reading Assignment: Excerpts from “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, observing how setting impacts narrative and character development.
- In-Class Exercise: Share and discuss a memory significantly influenced by its setting.
- Take-Home Assignment: Write a memoir piece where the setting acts as a catalyst for memory, reflection, or change.
Week 5: Shaping Your Memoir Structure
- Theme: Experimenting with various structures to best tell your story.
- Reading Assignment: “Inheritance” by Dani Shapiro, focusing on non-linear narrative structure and pacing.
- In-Class Exercise: Workshop session to experiment with structuring memoir pieces.
- Take-Home Assignment: Select a memory or theme from previous assignments and write a memoir piece using a non-traditional narrative structure (e.g., segmented, braided, circular).
Week 6: Shaping Your Memoir Structure
- Theme: Experimenting with various structures to best tell your story.
- Reading Assignment: The body of work you have produced during this course. Select one you want to work on in class. Make a list of areas you would like to expand, remove or rewrite.
- In-Class Exercise: 1. In-class rewrite. 2. Generate a list of additional stories/chapters/flesh out your outline.
- Take-Home Assignment: Type up your rewrite or outline, finalize it and submit it for written feedback to Shawna within one week.
Course Requirements:
- Active participation in discussions and peer reviews.
- Completion of all reading and writing assignments.
- Engagement in constructive feedback with peers.
- Final project: A polished memoir piece that incorporates learnings from the course, focusing on perspective, theme, character, setting, and structure.
By the end of “Developing Your Memoir,” participants will have a clearer vision of their memoir’s direction, enriched by a deeper understanding of how different perspectives can influence the narrative. Students will leave the course with a solid foundation for their memoir projects, equipped with practical tools and insights to continue their writing journey.