Thank you so much to everyone for engaging so fully in sharing your stories in 2024. It is always such a delight when your stories arrive in my inbox. If you feel like writing during the December/January Break here are the February topics to draw upon– bring your stories along to the first session on Monday 17 February 2025
‘This (…….) Life ‘
Examples ‘This (Downsizing) Life’ by an 80+ year old about planning to farewell loved home; ‘This (Number 8) Life’ about growing up as ‘Number 8’ in a family of nine children. Also –see our ‘This (….) Life’ stories!
‘Triggers’
Keep a notebook close by during the break in which to note any ‘triggers’ which lead you to reminisce about a time in your lives. You may have been talking to someone, watching television or a film, driving somewhere, reading a book. Choose one to three of these - write about the memories evoked, keeping the total words to 500 – 750 words
‘Memoir Review’
Perhaps you’ll have time during the holiday break to read and reflect upon a memoir which you discovered has a particular meaning to you, drawing on our Deeper Dive memoir analysis sheet to write a review to share with the class.
Here's the link: 'Memoir Review - Framework Suggestions'
There will also be some story topics for the new members to choose from (yet to be confirmed) if you haven't chosen them before.
During our sessions in October and November several members discussed enjoying the drama series on SBS 'So Long Marianne'. Beautifully filmed, it draws extensively on memoir related writing by Leonard Cohen and writers, artists and poets who were his contemporaries. If might still be available during the break on SBS on demand. This review is worth reading. https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/more-than-a-muse-so-long-marianne-delves-deep-into-the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-the-artistic-life/qsf0mxzcz
Don't forget to let me know if you have ideas for story or icebreaker topics for next year's programs.
Happy Festive Season to all!
Bev
‘This (…….) Life ‘
Examples ‘This (Downsizing) Life’ by an 80+ year old about planning to farewell loved home; ‘This (Number 8) Life’ about growing up as ‘Number 8’ in a family of nine children. Also –see our ‘This (….) Life’ stories!
‘Triggers’
Keep a notebook close by during the break in which to note any ‘triggers’ which lead you to reminisce about a time in your lives. You may have been talking to someone, watching television or a film, driving somewhere, reading a book. Choose one to three of these - write about the memories evoked, keeping the total words to 500 – 750 words
‘Memoir Review’
Perhaps you’ll have time during the holiday break to read and reflect upon a memoir which you discovered has a particular meaning to you, drawing on our Deeper Dive memoir analysis sheet to write a review to share with the class.
Here's the link: 'Memoir Review - Framework Suggestions'
There will also be some story topics for the new members to choose from (yet to be confirmed) if you haven't chosen them before.
During our sessions in October and November several members discussed enjoying the drama series on SBS 'So Long Marianne'. Beautifully filmed, it draws extensively on memoir related writing by Leonard Cohen and writers, artists and poets who were his contemporaries. If might still be available during the break on SBS on demand. This review is worth reading. https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/more-than-a-muse-so-long-marianne-delves-deep-into-the-agony-and-ecstasy-of-the-artistic-life/qsf0mxzcz
Don't forget to let me know if you have ideas for story or icebreaker topics for next year's programs.
Happy Festive Season to all!
Bev
