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Course Description

Did That Really Happen? Memoir & Life Stories

Course Description:This class begins the journey of memoir. It is for: Those recalling life stories to share with grandchildren and others; Those who want to write a personal memoir around a certain period or topic in their lives; and,Those who enjoy reading snippets of popular memoirs as inspiration and want to learn a few literary tools (writing about your home, characters in your family and elsewhere) along the way. Literary discussion from the text will take up a small part of the class.

Recommended Text: The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr (available on Amazon and through Books & Books)

Week 1: Who cares about my life ? Ideas on getting started and breaking through fear or writer’s block.

Week 2: Our five senses can transport us to ancient memories from a rarely recalled past. Perhaps you have memories of the smell of chicken soup, the touch of silk, the calls to prayer in neighborhoods from your childhood. For example, a student might write that when she woke up smelling bacon, she knew all was well in the home. When there was no smell, it usually meant her parents were passed out on the floor with hangovers and the day would not be pleasant. See how events are connected to senses?

Week 3: Where did kids go to meet romantically when you were growing up? Did others organize “meet up” events? Write about one meeting with a prospective or real date.  

Week 4:  Write a scene in which you have a run-in or full-blown argument with someone in your family or a friend. What caused it? What was the fall-out? Do you feel differently about it now?  

Week 5:  Write, if you dare, about a family secret. It is OK if you do not know if it is true. (You can keep whatever you write private. You do not have to share with the family.) How did you learn about it? Who, if anyone, did you discuss it with? Did it impact aon anyone (regardless of whether true or not)?

Week 6: Was there some point in your childhood or later when everything seemed to change for you? (Death of a family member, divorce, rejection in school or romance, war, a spiritual experience, college, birth of a child, a certain job.) It does not have to be dramatic – simply just a point where you began thinking differently about your life.

Instructor: Ms. Jeannie DeQuine   

 

 

 

  

 

 

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Section Title
Did That Really Happen? Memoir & Life Stories
Type
Discussion
Days
T
Time
1:00PM to 2:45PM
Dates
May 06, 2025 to Jun 10, 2025
Schedule and Location
Contact Hours
10.5
Delivery Options
Course Fee(s)
Tuition non-credit $80.00 Click here to get more information
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