Class

The Secret History of Things: A Memoir Essay Writing Workshop

“The secret histories of things deserve to linger, to belong again to the coil of your hair I found once as a child, dried out by shadows, in a shut-tight wooden box.” ― Eavan Boland

What secret history of things would you like to write about? In this six-part writing workshop, participants will draft an original memoir essay. Each week, we will discuss excerpts from Irish memoirists, including Edna O'Brien, Eavan Boland, and Elizabeth Bowen.

We will complete scaffolded in-class writing exercises based on these readings. Optional weekly writing assignments will be assigned between classes. In the fifth session, we will weave together previous assignments and participants will build a draft of their original memoir essay. In the last session, we will gather to read and celebrate our essays. We will use a decolonial writer's workshop tool for supportive workshopping feedback.

Pre-Class Assignments:
-Read Edna O’Brien’s essay “The Classroom.” This essay appeared in her 1976 memoir, Mother Ireland. (A PDF copy will be sent after registration.) As you read, you may want to consider what Ms. O’Brien, as well as yourself, have been taught, where, by whom, and what may or may not have been learned.
-Reflect on what calls you to explore in your own original memoir essay.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.