Writing Presentations

Writing Your LifeStory: Memoir Writing Workshop©
Three sessions, 1-1/2 hr

Each of us has our own unique story to tell. From time to time, photographic slides of the past—both good and bad times—click in our brain. Memories dance around in our heads. Now may be the time for you to preserve these precious moments on paper. When you write your own life story, you get a chance to tell your version of your experiences as only you felt them personally and individually.

Participants can expect to:
Learn the Process and Structure for writing your LifeStory; Learn how to determine what part of your life you want to write about; the whole of your life or a particular episode. We will discuss: How to tips for remembering pieces of your story; How to maintain a flow and your voice; How to keep information connected and meaningful to the story; How to move past limiting mindsets, attitudes and emotions regarding writing your LifeStory.

Session One:
Introduction and Discussion
The Process

What is a memoir and different ways to write one? How to determine what you want to write about? All of your life or, a specific episode? Yes…you can write personal stuff and stop worry about upsetting anyone. Tips on how you can remember situations or experiences. The all important “First Sentence.”

• Participants will “briefly” introduces themselves and tell why they are taking this workshop and what they hope to accomplish. Discussing the process…keeping your own voice throughout the story, developing a point of view, tone, settings, plot, flow, theme and story arc.
• Participants be prepared to read some of their work this session and/or others.
• Exercise: Write about something that made you feel sad, mad or glad! Write Your Six-Word Memoir
• Q&A

Session Two:
The Structure

Feeling Paralyzed? Reducing writing anxiety. Time to organize: What to include; What to eliminate; Creating a list of important things that happened to you; Reducing your choices. You can always write more another time! Remember this is YOUR story, seek out episodes where you have clarity of memory and possibly good people in your life that you can talk to who might help you fill in some of the missing pieces.

• Write about the episode or part of story you want to expand upon for your own memoir, bring to next session to read to us…if you are willing of course. As you begin and continue to write review elements of THE PROCESS.
• Read six-word-memoirs in workshop
• Exercise: Write a 50 word story…will provide list of writing prompts and tips.
• Write your six-word future!
• Q&A

Session Three:

• Discussion and open conversation regarding previous sessions.
• Read your six-word future
• Readings. Writing Prompts
• Exercise: Participants to do five minute reading of their work. No judgment! Only well done and appreciation for the work and effort. I can provide suggestions privately.
• Q&A

Look through your journal, notebook or even a diary to remind yourself of images, dates, people and places that you may want to include in a particular story or section of your memoir. It is important to express your feelings and emotions so the reader has a sense of what has really happened and can truly connect to what your experienced.

We all have negative voices shouting in our heads. This is the time for you to tell them they are no longer welcome. They have been critical and holding you back far too long. Simply tell them to go away! If they reappear, laugh at them or scold them for their inappropriate and unacceptable behavior. This is your time, and you want to make the most of it.

Book Writing/Publishing Bio

For the past 15 years, Marcia Rosen has provided people of all ages and life experiences with strategies and inspiration to open and expand the doors of their creativity so they can write and publish the words “dancing in their heads and hearts.”

Each of us has our own unique story and in writing a memoir Marcia helps the writer give voice to their personal story in their own voice. She has taught various writing courses, given numerous writing lectures and workshops including “Memoir-Life-Writing”, “Encouraging the Writer Within You” and a series of classes at a Senior Center which culminated in the participants producing “The Memoir Booklet.” She has helped a number of authors publish their books and published articles on Memoir Writing. She is also a published author of “The Woman’s Business Therapist: Eliminate the MindBlocks and Roadblocks to Success,” presently being revised and updated in paperback with title, “BusinessWomen on Top!”

In addition she has been a book advisor and consultant to authors, potential authors and many writers interested in writing and publishing their memoir (or even fiction book), who appreciate her ability to inspire, motivate and encourage while providing very practical information regarding the publishing world. Marcia provides insight and understanding of the book-publishing industry as it is today thanks to her experience and access to many industry resources.

Participants can expect to learn the process and structure for writing a memoir; determining what part of your life you want to write about (the whole of it or a particular episode); how to maintain a consistent flow, your voice, point of view and tone; difference between concept editing and copy/line editing; agents and publishing in today’s book market; marketing and promoting your book.

“Marcia, All the comments on your workshop have been positive, those who attended truly loved it, thank you for your generosity and time,” Pamela Giacoia, Executive Director, Southampton Senior Centers

“Dear Marcia, Many, many thanks for a wonderful writing class,” Love Memoir Writers

To schedule a personal consultation and get a copy of
"Free Book Marketing Tips", e-mail Marcia or call (505) 293-2122.