Our topic for September was 'If Only?' We found that 'If only?' stories didn't have to have sad endings; could be part of a journey which eventually became positive; could be lighthearted; could range across the spectrum from personal to the political.  A link to some of our 'If Only?' stories will be added to the website shortly. 

We are still awaiting for the fine detail of Benalla Festival's Writing Competition to be released before beginning stories for our October session.  We know it will relate in some way to Benalla Festival's theme for 2019 ‘Fiesta of Festivities - a celebration of events and festivals that bring the community together'. 

Our task for November is to keep a note book close by in which we note any ‘triggers’ which lead us to reminisce about a time in  our lives.   We may be talking to someone, watching television or a film, driving somewhere, reading a book.   We are to choose one to three of these and write about the memories evoked – keeping the total words to 500 – 750 words. 

As it's taster time - please feel free to join or rejoin us on 28 October and/or 25 November from 2 to 4 pm.  You might like even to bring a story to share!
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Bev Lee

The U3A memoir writing workshop program has, from its inception, drawn extensively upon the ABC Open's online '500 Words' project.   '500 Words' has provided inspiration and a framework for our sessions four years, providing suggested topics, tips, and links to other people's stories.
The ABC recently discontinued and archived ABC Open's '500 Words' Writing Projects.  For the record, this program has proved to be a wonderful resource for U3A Benalla's memoir writing group.

Details of ABC Open's writing topics have been kept for use over time and we have begun to draw on other resources.  Semester II's 500 words topics have largely been selected from Joy's book 'Creative Boot Camp'.  For example, on Monday 25 August we will be sharing stories on 'Fear of Failure'  and on Monday 23 September  'If only?' stories.  As always, we write about something which, upon reflection, we feel we can comfortably share with others, rather than something which is likely to open old wounds and cause distress.

Our October topic will be the topic set for the Benalla Festival's Writing Competition and relate to this year's festival theme, 'Fiesta of Festivities:  a celebration of events and festivals that bring the community together'.  Fliers with full details of the writing competition topic should be available in the community shortly. Some members go on to enter the contest - with a member or two each year typically receiving awards! 
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Bev Lee