Intro to Memoir & Life Writing
Course Overview
" What is the source of our first suffering? It lies in the fact that we hesitated to speak.
It was born in the moment when we accumulated silent things within us." Gaston Bachelard
Our experiences give us our identity and are the great reward from a life lived. Life-writing can take many forms — memoir; personal essay, blog or other social-media content/newsletter; diarist & journaling; travel & nature-writing; family-history; biography & autobiography... — but it's always about transforming fleeting lived experience, memories, personal learnings & philosophy... into treasure forever!
In a fast-changing world, life-writing is an important gift to yourself and can be a priceless inheritance for family, friends and a wider readership. With in-class exercises and homework assignments, this workshop will get you started on a regular writing routine and inspire confidence as you learn how best to examine your life for 'narrative gold' — and so turn lived experience into insightful, entertaining and engaging reading.
Discover how being part of a writing group is friendly and fun while you get your writing work done! Because, when it comes to writing, it's your own regular practice that will become the best source of knowhow. This workshop is suitable for writers at any stage of their career — from beginners to those already well immersed in a project.
Please note: This workshop is run over two days Sunday 11 January & Sunday 18 January, 1pm - 4.30pm
What to bring
Please bring writing materials (pen and paper or laptop) and anything you would like to eat or drink, tea and coffee facilities are provided.
This course is suitable for beginners and for anyone wanting encouragement, structure and inspiration to start documenting their life story.
Janet’s approach to teaching writing
Janet’s workshops are shaped by five key principles.
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She gives the imagination a task, using in class exercises and homework to build a regular writing practice and encourage experimentation with different techniques.
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She helps writers develop focus and find flow, guiding participants toward the heart of what they want to say.
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She treats language as a source of inspiration and often uses quotes to spark ideas and illustrate good use of English.
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She encourages reading as part of writing, sharing occasional handouts that showcase strong examples of prose and memoir.
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She creates a safe, welcoming space for sharing work. Reading aloud is always optional and discussion is constructive and encouraging.
Testimonials
“ I hung on every word Janet said, she got me writing for starters and she's given us the tools to keep going. She has a penetrating intellect and a generous nature. The wealth of information she provided was like getting a mini master’s degree on the subject.”
"The tutor was very energetic, happy, funny, easy to listen to, helpful and covered EVERYTHING."
“ I found the course very informative and worthwhile. The tutor was well read, very well prepared, shared a lot of knowledge, insights, gave confidence and enthusiasm. Very helpful. “
"I'm very eager to learn more - your first course literally transformed my life!"
“ Excellent, clear, sticks to the point. Doesn’t get into back-slapping, doesn’t let people waffle. Very structured and detailed.“
“ A lot of material covered - loved her energy and perspective.”
“ Lots of information, lots of suggested exercises, lots of prepared sheets - very good for revision. The tutor was very committed and enthusiastic and encouraged me to get writing.”
“ Janet is a ‘live wire’ and kept everyone interested all the time.”
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About the tutor
Janet Fennell
Janet is published as a short-story writer (general fiction, SF&F, 'romance'), novelist, reviewer, essayist and poet and ran her first creative writing course for the NSCC in 1998. After the sudden and early death of her husband, the eerily prescient nature of her first novel Only Myself (about a young widow) caused her to destroy work and she stepped away from all creative writing for some 15 years. But she continued to coach others to words and, eventually, her teaching persuaded her back to the page so that now she feels more dedicated than ever to the regenerative power of creative endeavour, and to completing her writing projects, and to helping others find their voice and reach their writing goals. She is currently at work on a novel and a 'memoir-meditation-manual' on writing and life.
Janet studied English (BA), Librarianship (DipLib) and Writing (MA) at university, as well as performance writing at AFTRS & NIDA, and spent many years working in librarianship and corporate communications prior to and alongside her creative work. In 2023 she spent six weeks as Writer-in-Residence as St Mark's College in Adelaide (a residential university college) and most recently (Mar-May '24) she undertook residencies in Italy and France and was a participant at the Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano.
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