“The Fundamentals of Memoir” with Donna M. Johnson
November 18, 2023 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM CST
$59.00 – $119.00
- This event has passed.
This Event is for Members only.
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$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
Registration for the live webinar has closed, but you can register to receive the recording only. The recording will be made available for 30 days starting 11/20/23.
Can’t make it to the live class? No problem! All classes are recorded and made available to class registrants for one month.
Learn the fundamentals of memoir writing.
According to memoirist and activist Roxane Gay, writing compelling memoir involves more than trauma and confession. Memoir is a creative and expansive art form that lends itself to a variety of voices and storytelling styles. It can capture the emotional journey and insights that are a part of investigating the past. But first we must master the fundamentals.
This class will explore how to shape raw experience into personal narrative through point of view, time shifts and moments of change. We will also discuss objectivity vs. subjectivity and the ways in which memoir differs from autobiography and journalism.
TAKE THIS CLASS IF:
- You are beginning a memoir.
- You want to review memoir building blocks.
- You are experiencing difficulty with time shifts.
- You are looking for ways to elevate your personal story.
The deadline to register for this class is Friday, November 17 at 5:00 PM CST.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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Donna M. Johnson is the author of Holy Ghost Girl, a memoir critically acclaimed by the New York Times, O Magazine, Texas Monthly, NPR’s Interfaith Voices, People and many other publications and blogs. Donna's work has been collected in two outstanding anthologies, Beyond Belief and Her Texas. She has written for The Rumpus, Psychology Today, The Nervous Breakdown, Shambhala Sun, Huffington Post, The Dallas Morning News and the Austin American Statesman. She is currently at work on a project that combines investigative journalism with personal narrative.
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The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
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- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
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Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
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Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.