This workshop explores the practices of memoir and autobiography writing. It takes a creative approach to the complexities of finding ideas and inspiration in one's own life and putting experiences together to create story.
The course will give students an opportunity to think about what their own experiences have taught them and how these lessons can be shared with others. It will cover the creative aspects of finding ideas, creating a central storyline, and using language techniques to narrate engagingly. It will also look at critical aspects of writing including how to use language and narrative techniques to enhance reader engagement.
Throughout the day students will read and analyse excerpts of published memoirs and autobiographies and complete a series of writing activities toward their own memoir or autobiography writing.
Workshop outline for the day:
Defining the Genre
Students will explore the Creative Non-Fiction genre and understand the place of memoir and autobiography within it.
Finding Ideas
Students will discuss and look at examples of how to find creative ideas for beginning a memoir or autobiographical piece and setting them up for a story.
Theme
Through careful review and discussion of current and previous nonfiction texts students will define and analyse the concept of theme and how it enhances memoir and autobiography. Writing exercises will also help students to identify ideas from their own experiences**.**
Creating the Narrative
Students will explore the ways narrative techniques are applied to memoir and autobiography writing. Students will look at published examples and complete short writing activities that draw out the narrative approach.
Language Techniques
Students will explore how language techniques are used to create tone and engage the reader in memoir and autobiography and how to apply these techniques in their own writing.
The Writing Process
The process of writing from idea to complete story is reviewed and broken down. Students explore where their own writing is at and what process may work for them to begin, continue, or finish their own piece of writing.
Free Writing
Students will have the opportunity to continue working on a piece they are currently writing, finish writing exercises begun throughout the day or simply write freely with their new skills in mind. They will also have the option to have their work read and reviewed/discussed.
What to Bring for Simone's Class:
- Pen
- Pencil
- Notebook
- Highlighter
Simone Saba completed a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) and a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at Macquarie University Sydney and is a qualified NSW English and Society and Culture teacher. She’s passionate about the way creative texts provide new perspectives on the society in which we live and vice versa.
She has worked across educational settings including primary and high schools, adult VET institutions and private tutoring. In 2023 she was a marker of the NAPLAN creative written response.
Simone has a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing from the University of Technology Sydney and works as a freelance Editor and Proofreader. She has worked on unpublished fiction manuscripts, short and long-form copy for business and government and educational resources for students and teachers.
From a favourite song to a child’s picture book to novels stacked in a library, she believes in the profound power of words, wherever we may find them.
