Memoir and Personal Essay: Four Weeks: June 5 to June 26, 2017; Monday evenings, 6:30 P.M. Central Time
Have you thought about writing your memoir? Is there something bubbling inside that you really want to write about? Do you have an idea for a personal essay to submit for publication?
If you’re not sure, think about this question: What’s the most important thing that’s ever happened to you? Now. There’s a story!
You’ll learn to think about writing a personal essay or a book-length memoir like building a house, focusing on structure, situation, and story. Structure (the foundation and studs) – defines the beginning, middle, end, and time-line; Situation (the walls of each room) – describes what happens, along with characteristics of people, place, and sensory details, to build a picture in the reader’s mind and lift the words from the paper into another’s experience; Story (the color scheme, furniture, and decorations) – presents the writer’s experience and journey of self-discovery to create a reliable narrator for the reader. All of this comes together to bring the You alive so readers will live through you. Suitable for both experienced and emerging writers.
Participants will complete a manuscript of about 1,500 words to use as a stand-alone piece or the start of a longer manuscript. We’ll use a private Facebook page as a communication tool, and I’ll offer ideas or suggestions for your work in progress and do a comprehensive revision on your final piece. I’ll also give you suggestions on where you could publish a personal essay if you choose to and/or how to publish a manuscript on Amazon.
I’ll be teaching online live through Zoon and will send out a link each week for you to log in. It’s easy. All you need to do is download Zoon from the above link, create a log in and password, and when I send out the email reminder, just click on the link in the email at the designated time. It’s very easy to use. (https://zoom.us/feature). I suggest using Chrome for your platform, both for Zoon and for our Facebook work, as it allows greater mobility online. For example, you can upload a manuscript on Facebook using Chrome.
To register go to the Shati Arts webpage. And stop saving those great ideas on a spare envelope!
A former memoir workshop participant wrote: “As an instructor, Janet is engaging and direct, providing structured guidance and feedback while also encouraging my unique writing to emerge.” | “Most inspiring for me was how she emphasized the power of our personal stories: valuing, articulating, and writing our truths to share with others.”
I’ll also be teaching Spiritual Writing in October so stay tuned for information on that later. You can check out the spiritual writing blurb on the Shanti Arts website below the memoir blurb.
Best wishes in your writing,
Janet
janetsunderland.com 
Your class sounds like a wonderful use of your gifts. ❤
You know, Viv, teaching is one of the things I do best. I really love those ah ha! moments when things click and a student is happy with the work she/he did. And I love writing. So all in all, it’s a win win.
Oooh, I think the October class would be awesome.
Thank you so much, Jen! I’d love to have you join. You can sign up any time. Be aware there’s a limit on enrollment. I wouldn’t want it to get away from you. I so love teaching so being able to teach online is a real gift. Shanti Arts likes to publish the essays from my classes, and it’s a beautiful journal.
I’ve got my goal now. I’m going to work on my side hustle to earn money for your October class.
Sounds like a great class, Janet.
janet
Thanks, Janet. I really like to teach so having this venue is such a gift.
oh my goodness! I enrolled in a non-fiction writing course in April because I was just so excited to get started. Now I wish that I’d waited a while.
I’m sorry too! I’d have loved having you in class. If you decide to continue, or need more help, let me know. Hugs, J.