Life Writing & Memoir Course: 12 weeks taught + workshop

with Giovanna Iozzi

“You must write a memoir as if you’re writing a novel, you have to give it a shape.” Blake Morrison

This course is designed for all levels, whether you're new to life writing, are looking to develop pieces you've already started, or have in mind a project with a particular theme or focus. Our twelve-week format allows us to dig deeply into the memoir and life writing form, and enables you to give thought to a longer piece of work.

The course will give the group time and space to bond and gain confidence, working towards more intensive sharing as the weeks go by. An essential component is carefully reading and commenting on the work of course mates. The two-way process of giving as well as receiving feedback is invaluable to the development of writing craft. We also emphasise learning how to properly hear constructive feedback, as well as understanding when to integrate it.

First 6 weeks: taught sessions which will feature discussion of published extracts, themed writing exercises in class, developing a supportive feedback style, and a workshop where you'll have the opportunity to share some of your work and ideas.

Second 6 weeks: student-focused sessions with around three-quarters of each class given over to a workshop in which two or three people will share longer extracts of work. The final week will feature a showcase where you'll have the opportunity to read your work, and a general chat about next steps for your writing.

Weeks 1-12 in more detail:

Week 1 Introduction to the form: memory exercises; starting to think about theme & experience
Week 2 Ways into writing: using photos/documents/objects as gateways into material
Week 3 A sense of place: home, roots, origins, the places we are from
Week 4 Significant others: family/friends. Who do we decide to write about and why?
Week 5 Where does our story start? Trying out an opening scene; thinking about scene dynamics
Week 6 Voice: what is voice and how do we develop one?

Break for half term

Week 7-11
Each class will start with a writing prompt followed by a brief discussion and sharing of snippets written in class. This will lead to a longer workshop on two or three substantial extracts of student work which will have been emailed to the group beforehand for reading in advance and constructive annotation.

Week 12

We'll finish the course with a showcase where you have the option to read aloud a four-minute extract of your material. This will be followed by a discussion about where you might like to take your writing next, and a look at outlets for creative nonfiction/memoir.