We began our June session with Bev introducing the concept of Six Word Memoirs developed by Larry Smith (refer Ted talk below). Bev's six word 'slice of life'...'Ageing, not for the faint hearted'! Bev asked the class to develop a six word memoir both before watching the video, then after, with some really perceptive, thought provoking 'six word memoirs' being shared by class members as a result.
All members chose to write about 'A Childhood Experience' this month, with wonderful stories shared evoking memories of learning to ride a bike, a first homes, a treasured day out with a loving grandfather, a child's vivid imagination, hairwashing day with grandma, 'the boogeyman', an Irish childhood, including stories of 'banshee's' and more, a first concert "Peter and the Wolf', Deniliquin childhood memories of floods, dust storms and more; of spending time with 'my cobber, Uncle Doogie'; not so loving childhood memories with the 'Sisters of Mercy'; and, still to be shared, David's memories of pets with wonderful names and rabbiting with his mate 'Bantam Jim'. These stories can be read by following this link...'A Childhood Memory'.
We had some fun thinking about the concept of our next topic ... 'Cringe'... with a few 'aha' moments as people thought of an idea which might work. The brief - ‘Your eyes squint, your cheeks burn red, your teeth grate. Share a personal cringe-worthy tale of woe that you can’t quite forget’.
The alternative topic, recommended for newer class members, is ‘Ideas Piggy Bank’.
1) Create/draw upon an ‘Ideas Piggy Bank’ such as a shoe box or other box or drawer containing objects and artefacts that enliven your memories, through scent and feel. Maps, menus, theatre programs, an old report card, vials of perfume, a garment, treasured photographs, a souvenir, an expired passport can sometimes trigger a work rich with detail.
(2) Select two items from the piggy bank as creative prompts – what do they mean to you? What were you doing, why; what were you thinking at the time this object related to your life? (250 words for each object)
A list of topics for the year is now available. It flags the topics for the remaining months, which and can be downloaded from the link below.
We had some fun thinking about the concept of our next topic ... 'Cringe'... with a few 'aha' moments as people thought of an idea which might work. The brief - ‘Your eyes squint, your cheeks burn red, your teeth grate. Share a personal cringe-worthy tale of woe that you can’t quite forget’.
The alternative topic, recommended for newer class members, is ‘Ideas Piggy Bank’.
1) Create/draw upon an ‘Ideas Piggy Bank’ such as a shoe box or other box or drawer containing objects and artefacts that enliven your memories, through scent and feel. Maps, menus, theatre programs, an old report card, vials of perfume, a garment, treasured photographs, a souvenir, an expired passport can sometimes trigger a work rich with detail.
(2) Select two items from the piggy bank as creative prompts – what do they mean to you? What were you doing, why; what were you thinking at the time this object related to your life? (250 words for each object)
A list of topics for the year is now available. It flags the topics for the remaining months, which and can be downloaded from the link below.
