Class

True Starts: Writing Your Memoir’s First Page

The first words of a memoir or personal essay can be the hardest to write. In this four-hour workshop, we’ll read the opening of four memoirs which begin in four different ways: James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time (a letter to a nephew), Jeannette Winterson’s Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal? (a description of a character--her mother), Salman Rushdie’s Knife (a description of an event), and Sari Fordham’s Waiting for God to Notice (an evocation of a place through vivid details). (These will be provided in class.)

Then we will take a first pass at writing a few paragraphs inspired by those examples. Those who would like to are invited to share what they’ve written. Class time will be roughly equally divided between reading the passages, in-class writing, and sharing what you’ve written followed by class discussion.

That discussion will strive to discern the story the writer wants to tell and the strengths of the piece shared. (At this point in the process, critical comments are not helpful.) Note: the Rushdie describes an attack so it may be triggering.

In this class, students will:
-learn different ways to start a memoir
-grasp the strengths of each approach
-have the opportunity to use each in their own writing
-have the opportunity to share their writing with their peers
-have the opportunity to give and receive constructive feedback that helps them find their story

Please submit this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.