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June - 'Six Word Memoirs' & wonderful memories of childhood

28/6/2021

 
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.  
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(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.
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'As Time Goes By' - List of Topics for 2021

June - 'A Childhood Experience'... coming up 'Cringe'

25/6/2021

 
We are looking forward to hearing and sharing stories on ‘A childhood experience’ or ‘My Other Life’ on Monday 28th June.  The story collection at https://u3abenalla.weebly.com/childhood-memory will be added to after the class.

The topic for our next session Monday 26th July is ‘Cringe’ – ‘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)


Beverley Lee
    Our Stories
    Our Stories (Topics)

    About  'As Time Goes By' - Memoir Writing

    'As Time Goes By' provides an outlet and support for members keen to write about their lives and  tell stories their families may not get around to asking them about.   A memoir is a slice from a person’s life which focuses on a particular theme or lesson or flavor of experience, an aspect of life that is most unusual or fascinating.   Each month class members reminisce, write about and share memorable ‘slices’ from their lives in response to set ‘500 Words’ themed writing topics.  

    Please note - The course is not a writing skills class and does not cover writing a detailed, chronological autobiography.

    Convenor & Contact details

    Picture
    Beverley Lee
    0478 607 838

    Meeting Times

    3rd Monday 2 - 4 pm
    ​U3A Meeting Room

    'As Time Goes By' Topic List for 2023 pdf
    'Tips for Writing your 500 Words Story' (ABC Open)  
    'How to Write a Story in 500 words - ideas for planning - topic 'Failure' (ABC Open)
    Memoir Review - Framework for Analysis
    Master list of  500 word story topics from 2015 to end of 2020

    Links

    Australian Writers' Centre

    Victorian Writers' Centre - Writers' Victoria

    ​Wheeler Centre

    The Memoir Writing Club - On Line Courses

    Past topics 

    All
    2018 Topic List
    '23 Words'
    'A Friendship Tested' //
    'A Love Letter To Travel'
    'A Turning Point'
    Australian Writers Centre
    'Car Stories' //
    Course Description
    'Easter'
    'Experiences Of The Unexplained'
    'Fish Out Of Water'
    'For Better For Worse' //
    'Good Vibrations'
    'Grandparents' //
    'Heartbreak'
    'I Broke It'
    'Ideas Piggy Bank'
    'If Only'
    'I Quit!' //
    Life Matters 'Life In 500 Words'
    'Lost And Found' //
    Making Comments
    'Making Waves'
    'My Other Life'
    'New In Town'
    'One Moment
    'Stand Up Comedy'
    'The (Season) I ...'
    This Year'
    'What Happened In Vegas'

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We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay our respects to their elders - past, present and emerging.
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