Class Starts Tuesday, June 7th, 2022
Class will meet weekly via Zoom (Tuesdays, 5:00PM - 7:00PM Pacific Standard Time).
Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.
Memoir is not “biography” and it doesn’t have to read like a textbook. Memoir is a unique and exciting format in which the writer has the creative freedom to tell some portion of their life’s story in a captivating way. We don’t necessarily need to read your story from birth up to the present day but like any good novel, a good memoir should have a story arch, memorable characters and a narrator who changes in some way by the end of the story.
In this class, we will look at techniques for forming that story arch, for developing stronger characters and for writing scenes that will create an impact. We do this by applying some of the same storytelling and structural techniques that fiction writers use.
We will examine the work of writers whose memoirs or other nonfiction pieces have a strong storytelling component. This includes writers like Mary Karr, Svetlana Alexievich, Anne Patchett, Eileen Myles and Quiara Alegría Hudes. Together, we will dissect storytelling components of their work and learn tangible tools that we can apply to our own work.
Readings will include work and excerpts from The Liar’s Club, by Mary Karr; For Now, by Eileen Myles; My Broken Language, by Quiara Alegría Hudes; and additional excerpts.
COURSE TAKEAWAYS:
- Understand what a strong memoir structure looks like
- Learn how to apply a novel-like story arch to your memoir
- Learn how to pinpoint and expand upon moments of tension in your memoir in order to create the greatest impact, both on your narrator (you) and your reader
- Understand how to insert humor and memorable scenes in your memoir
By the end of the course you will have:
- The tools you need to continue your writing practice
- Completed drafts for further development, revision, and publication
- The confidence that your story is meaningful for yourself and other readers
TESTIMONIALS:
"I gained confidence. I became aware of some of my strong points, the details of writing conversation, the scheme of plot and theme in developing a story, and the importance of considering less rather than more when editing one’s own work. These were all elements of writing that Michelle taught. I know my skill in writing has improved… I was amazed that so much could be covered in two hours of Zoom!” - Beverley C. Writing Student
"Michelle, thanks again and again. It’s been delightful to work with you and receive such helpful suggestions, skilled editing, and on-going encouragement. You’ve fed my writing in more ways than you could ever know, or imagine.“ - Geri O. Writing Student
"Michelle was so easy to work with. She was able to provide new ideas, to focus my thinking, and to generate a structure and a way forward that I couldn’t see because I was too close to the material.” - Peter Novak
ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:
This class meets weekly via Zoom. Come prepared for a super fun class with live interaction on Zoom each week and plenty of writing, reading, and talking!
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Instructor: Michelle Kicherer
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Class Starts Tuesday, June 7th, 2022
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Course is fully ONLINE and will meet weekly via Zoom on Tuesdays from 5:00PM - 7:00PM PST.
Instructor Michelle Kicherer is a fiction writer, instructor and ghostwriter. She works on both fiction and nonfiction manuscripts. Michelle holds an MFA in English & Creative Writing and her work has appeared in The Berkeley Fiction Review, 580 Split, Into the Void, The Cutaway, 8142 Review and many others. Learn more about her here.