Our new schedule commenced on 26th May, providing a dedicated time-slot to support people keen to write their memories with a view to publishing them for family and friends. The sharing of 500 words projects now begins at 1.30 pm. This is followed by a break from 2.50 to 3.10, when 'Writing and Publishing Our Memoirs' begins, facilitated by Noelle McCracken, who worked in publishing for many years. Members can attend either or both sessions.
Our 500 Words stories in May explored ways in which we use the word 'Time'. Some members enjoyed teasing out concepts about time in a quirky way. Joy wrote about a loved family member’s different concept of time; Jenny about memories of the time she was the same age as her grandchild, who had asked her about this; and Wilma about a recent, now cherished experience in which she observed the passing of time through the eyes of mural artist Rhone at his evocative exhibition at the decaying but soon to be restored Burnham Beeches mansion.
The 500 Words project for June is to (1) Create an ‘Ideas Piggy Bank” in a shoe box to bring along 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)
The "Writing and publishing our memoirs" group began last month with an avid group of writers keen to make their family story a story their family will want to read! The group will focus on a memoir or family history with a view to publication, with a format and quirks more in style of a novel than perhaps the usual, dare I say boring, family tome.
Bev Lee and Noelle McCracken
Our 500 Words stories in May explored ways in which we use the word 'Time'. Some members enjoyed teasing out concepts about time in a quirky way. Joy wrote about a loved family member’s different concept of time; Jenny about memories of the time she was the same age as her grandchild, who had asked her about this; and Wilma about a recent, now cherished experience in which she observed the passing of time through the eyes of mural artist Rhone at his evocative exhibition at the decaying but soon to be restored Burnham Beeches mansion.
The 500 Words project for June is to (1) Create an ‘Ideas Piggy Bank” in a shoe box to bring along 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)
The "Writing and publishing our memoirs" group began last month with an avid group of writers keen to make their family story a story their family will want to read! The group will focus on a memoir or family history with a view to publication, with a format and quirks more in style of a novel than perhaps the usual, dare I say boring, family tome.
Bev Lee and Noelle McCracken
