At our first session we explored the history of writing groups at U3A Benalla; the development of the memoir writing course and our regular use of ABC Open's 500 Word topics as a focus for our writing each month.  We considered optional approaches such as 'Stories from the ….’ or 'Stories my …. told me'; then looked at the 'Our Stories' area of the website.
 
Before breaking for coffee we each interviewed a person we didn't know well, introduced them to the class and described their memory of 'the closest they have been to receiving an Oscar, winning an Olympic medal or being in the Guinness book of records'!  This was relaxing and demonstrated the gentle art of reminiscing with others. 

After the break fascinating stories were shared of 'Family Traits'. Some writers reflected on genetic traits, others behavioural traits. 

A group of members keen to write a memoir focusing on themes such as life stages gathered together after class to share their ideas, agreeing that they will do this each month to support one another and share progress. 

The topic for the 500 word task for March 25th is 'I Broke It' - with back up topics to choose from if necessary such as 'The Year That Made Me', 'New in Town' and a 'A Person who Shaped Me'. 

The brief for ‘I Broke It’ - A broken plate, a broken bone, a broken record, or even being broke.  Tell us about a time you broke something, and what repercussions you face.
​
Bev Lee

‘As Time Goes By’ -  2019
 
Welcome and Introduction to ‘As Time Goes By’ 2019
 
From ‘Benalla Writers’ to ‘Writing Workshop’ to ‘As Time Goes By’   Toowoomba U3A - https://open.abc.net.au/explore/75109   https://open.abc.net.au/explore/83116
 
‘As Time Goes By’ on our Website – Introducing/group page/’Our Stories’/using the U3A website search engine/2019 Stories
 
Approaching ‘As Time Goes By’
 
ABC Project Topics

• The ABC Projects Page Website and stories  Examples:  Someone who Shaped Me  Family Trait

• 500 words (or thereabouts… if possible) – an approach (handout)
• Ways of ‘publishing’ our collections of these stories
  • Time line?
  • Themes?

 
 ‘Writing Family History’ Approaches

• There are many resources on the web to draw on here –
  • a useful overview is at https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/18-writing-tips-tell-stories/  (Handout available) 
  • Another - https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/10-steps-writing-engaging-family-history/

 
The Story Teller – working towards a collection of, for example,

• ‘Stories my Father Told Me’
• ‘Stories from North East Victoria’
• ‘Stories for my Grandson’ – some stories of swashbuckling relatives from the past

 
Other Approaches? 
 
Considerations

• Developing our own voice – encouraging and supporting others
• Editing suggestions – our very gentle approach to editing suggestions
• Word Limits – aiming towards the target
• Considering confidentiality issues and personal well being
• Handling gender in our stories
• Publishing stories on the web site

 
 
TOPICS for 2019
 
Some topics to include when you are ready, or if another topic doesn’t seem to work:

1. ‘The Year That Made Me’

1. ‘New in Town’ Have you ever been the new person in town?  Or did someone else’s arrival have a profound impact on you?  Share your story in 500 words.   
2. ‘Someone who Shaped Me’ 
3. Any topic from previous years – refer to website!

 
 
2019 Topics – February to April
 
HOLIDAY TOPIC/FEBRUARY      ‘A Family Trait’  
 
Did you inherit a family trait? What is it and how does it play out in your life?
A link to a story about ‘Nature or Nurture’
 
MARCH   ‘I Broke It’
 
A broken plate, a broken bone, a broken record, or even being broke.  Tell us about a time you broke something, and what repercussions you faced. 

• This is a more focused topic which could be used with the ‘plan’ on ‘Tips for Writing your 500 Words story’

 

• Find out more about other U3A groups using the 500 words approach who faced a challenge to write about ‘I Broke It’ and read their stories

U3A Mackay  https://open.abc.net.au/explore/83955
 
 
APRIL  ‘Faking It’
   
Have you ever inflated your credentials to land a coveted job, told a silly lie to save face in front of a new acquaintance, or felt well and truly out of your comfort zone when you tried something new?

Perhaps faking it helped you gain the experience or tools necessary to bring about real change, whether you were pretending to the world or just deluding yourself.

How did you feel at the time, and how do you feel about it now? Did your fakery ever get found out? Did you surprise anyone, even yourself?
​

• Perhaps a more challenging topic – one which actually resulted in some wonderful stories a few years ago!  Over to you.

 
Bev Lee 5762 8171 [email protected]  25 February 2019