Many people assume memoir or personal essay is telling a true story from your past. Yes, it must be accurate, interesting, and engaging. It needs to incorporate some of the literary techniques used in other genres, but it also needs to go beyond that, needs to be more than just narrative; it must grapple with other deeper and more complex issues. It must have “aboutness.” In addition, the writer telling the story must function not solely as the piece’s main protagonist, but as the “writer at the desk,” a wiser and more mature guiding force. This workshop will focus on these principles and how exactly to accomplish this.

Led by Chris Cullen