Learn how to capture your personal experiences on the page in an engaging, dramatic, and poignant memoir in this writing workshop for writers of all experience levels, including beginners. You will learn the craft fundamentals of turning your memories into vivid stories. During in-class exercises, you will practice the art creating characters and setting, rich description, gripping scenes and thoughtful reflection. Examples from masters of the genre will be used for inspiration.
Participants will have opportunities to read aloud to the group what they write during the workshop and receive quick feedback. By the end of the workshop, you should have a start on a short memoir piece that you can continue to develop and revise, and a stronger understanding of the craft of memoir.
Come to the workshop with ideas for experiences you'd like to write about, writing materials (notebooks, laptops), and a willingness to experiment and explore your memories on the page. The workshop is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required. Participants are invited to arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee/refreshments. Class will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with a brief lunch break (feel free to bring a snack or lunch).
Questions? Contact Cassie at cskobrak@westerlylibrary.org or (401) 596-2877 x306
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Ethan Gilsdorf is a journalist, memoirist, essayist, critic, poet, teacher, performer, and the author of the award-winning memoir Fantasy Freaks and Gaming Geeks. Hundreds of his personal essays, articles, reviews, cultural commentaries, profiles, opinion pieces, short stories, and poems have appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Esquire, Boston Globe, Wired, Salon, O (the Oprah Magazine), National Geographic, Brevity, Poetry, The Southern Review, North American Review, among other publications. Twice his work has been named "Notable" by The Best American Essays. He teaches creative writing at GrubStreet in Boston, where he leads the 9-month Essay Incubator program; he also leads writing workshops for non-profit social justice organizations. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Louisiana State University. More info: ethangilsdorf.com, Twitter @ethanfreak.
