At our first session on Monday February 24 at 2 pm we will be sharing reminiscences of 500 words or so on 'Something in my life that I am really proud of' and/or 'An Aunt, Uncle or cousin who has a special place in my memory'.
Our task for November - to keep a notebook in which we noted ‘triggers’ which led us to reminisce about a time in our lives and to share stories about two to three of them. What an absorbing session we had listening to the memories shared! Memories of past experiences of bushfires were described by a number of members, triggered by the almost catastrophic day of extreme heat and wind for the season on Thursday 22 November and bushfire emergencies across the nation.
We discussed topics to write about next year, with two 500 word topics decided upon for the holiday break ready for sharing at our first session in late February - 'Write about something in your life that you are really proud of'; and moving on from our topic of 'Grandparents' last year, 'Write about an Aunt, Uncle or cousin who has a special place in your memory'. Bev Lee 'Fiesta of Festivities', the theme for this year's Benalla Festival in early November, was our topic for October. It fell into the 'tricky topic' category, but as always happens, group members took a particular slant which resonated with the group and added to our shared understanding of a 'Fiesta of Festivities'.
Joy teased out the concept of a 'Fiesta of Festivities' then wrote about many of the festivals and festivities enjoyed in Benalla. Betty explored the range of festivals offered in Benalla in a humorous poem, following this up with a quirky poem about Molyullah's Easter Fair. Bev also wrote about Molyullah's Easter Monday event, but this time as remembered in the 1950's, with Irish and Scottish dancing; the Molyullah Gift running race; a number of horse races (and bookies in crumpled tweed suits and odds boards) also on the program of events. Margaret shared an engaging memoir of Violet Town's Centenary Celebrations of 1949, bringing with her festival programs and photographs to accompany her written memories of the event. Neville then took us all to Spain, to Pamplona for the 'Running of the Bulls'! He remembers wondering how political events at the time impacted upon the realities and thinking of the people participating and attending, and said he wonders now how political events and realities may be affecting people who, seemingly blissful, participate in Benalla's 'Fiesta of Festivities'. The presentations led us all to reminisce in different ways - with Ray thinking back to the time in which he was heavily involved with the Benalla Rose Festival. 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 25 November from 2 to 4 pm. You might like even to bring a story to share! Bev Lee At our meeting on Monday October 28 we will be sharing stories using the theme set for the Benalla Festival Writing Competition - 'Fiesta of Festivities'. Our stories can be about fiestas and festivals from other places and times, however if we want to enter our story in the Benalla Festival Writing Competition it needs to relate to a festival/festivals in the Rural City of Benalla and its villages such as Molyullah, Goorambat and so on.
The details of the Festival's Writing Competition were released at the beginning of this week. The time line is very short - entries are due on the third Monday 21st October, not the fourth Monday as usual. Only 10 days to go as I write. Here is the brief: "The 2019 Benalla Festival Writing Competition is now open. The theme for your piece is 'Fiesta of Festivities' - a celebration of events and festivals in Benalla Rural City. Writers from Benalla Rural City are invited to enter a poem or short story. Your piece should reflect on the theme. (Check the flier below for some examples of topics) 1. Entry is free and participants can have a maximum of two entries. The pieces of prose can vary in style (biographical, expository, discursive or narrative). 2. Entries close on Monday 21 October 2019 at 5pm and can be submitted: n in person at the Benalla Rural City Council’s Customer Service Centre; or at the Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop Learning Centre (Benalla Library), Fawckner Drive, Benalla; or posted to Benalla Rural City Council, PO Box 227 Benalla 3671 with ‘Writing Competition’ clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. 3. The category you will be entering is Open (word limit of 800 words) 4. The piece of writing must be the entrant’s own work and not have been previously published. 5. Entries must be typed and on A4 paper. The information below must be attached to the entry. 6. The judges’ decision will be final and no correspondence entered into. 7. Staff members of Benalla Rural City Council and members of the Benalla Festival Advisory Committee are not permitted to enter the competition. 8. Winners, runners up and encouragement award recipients of the six categories will be notified by telephone on Monday 28 October and asked to attend a presentation on the evening of Thursday 7 November 2019. 9. For further information contact the Benalla Rural City Council on 5760 2600." So - there's no time for writers' block! I'm looking forward to hearing all stories, whether entered into the Festival or not, on Monday 28th October at 2 pm. Beverley Lee 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! 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! Bev Lee Our July topic, 'Your Different Drummer', began with discussion in which we teased out the meaning of the concept, reflected on an ABC series shown some years ago titled 'A Different Drummer' and then shared some stories about our 'different drummers'. Betty Milligan drew out and shared stories about two items from her 'Ideas Piggy Bank', a missive won as an award as a child and a pair of toe shoes worn as a 13 year old. We asked Betty to share one of the poems she read recently at the Chiltern Festival – Betty chose 'My Half Plate', a funny and engaging poem which resulted in smiles all round.
Our topic for August is “Fear of Failure” - What flops, embarrassments and incomplete endeavours in life slowed you down and which ones fortified your resolve? What did you learn from them and how did you cope? What role does ‘fear of failure’ have in your life now? We resume a 2 to 4pm time slot on Monday 26 August, as 'Publishing Your Writing' is moving to its own time slot on the third Monday in August. Bev Lee In June our task was to create and bring to class an ‘Ideas Piggy Bank” containing objects and artifacts that enliven our memories, through scent and feel. Treasured family photos, a Brownie Box camera, a brooch, mementos of trips abroad, an imagined blue Malvern Star bike ridden on for the first time, rosary beads, a toy made by a treasured friend, a small folio of papers and newspaper articles found after a father's death, three wise monkeys, Milk Arrowroot biscuits, and more were presented, with stories about them shared and discussed.
Our 500 words topic for July is “Your different drummer” … How strong is your instinct to go with the flow? When has it served you well? When has it been counter productive? In 'Writing and Publishing Your Memoirs', Noelle introduced a memoir written by David Malouf as one of many examples of engagingly written memoirs, Noelle certainly has a wonderful 'ideas piggy bank' of possibilities drawn from her experience in the publishing industry which apply to memoir writing. Our July session will again be a split session, with 'As Time Goes By -500 words' from 1.30 to 2.50 then 'Writing and Publishing your Memoirs' from 3.10 to 4.30. From August, there will be three separate writing sessions, all on Monday afternoons. 'Publishing and Writing your Memoirs' (Noelle McCracken), has been timetabled on the third Monday from 2 to 4 pm, joining "Creative Writing' (second Monday 2.30 to 4.30 pm) and 'As Time Goes By - 500 words' (fourth Monday 2-4 pm). A wonderful menu to choose one or more writing courses from! Bev Lee 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 We are still busily writing our 500 word stories on the topic ‘Faking It’, with stories to be shared after the newsletter deadline. I wonder what people are writing about? More news later!
Our topic for May is based on the theme 'Time'.... There are so many ways in which we use the word 'time'...'We talk about spare time, stolen time, free time, time well spent, leisure time, wasted time, quality time, holiday time, extra time, not enough time. We say time is precious, for all time, time is short, it was such a waste of time, time flies, time and eternity, we had a good time, take your time, time stood still, where does the time go? How much time do you have? She'll do it in 'her own good time' and more. The brief is to choose and write about an element or two relating to the theme 'Time' which has meaning in terms of an event or events in our life stories. Late News: Next month we are piloting a separate group facilitated by Noelle McCracken to focus on Writing and Publishing Memoirs. Classes will be scheduled as follows: 1.30 to 2.50 '500 Words Stories' - Bev Lee - May topic 'Time' (refer above) 3.10 to 4.30 'Writing and Publishing Our Memoirs' - Noelle McCracken It is possible to attend either or both sessions. Bev Lee News:
Memoir Writing and Publishing – how best to support members keen to do this? A suggestion to consider (Bev and Noelle) Other: Sharing 500 Words stories April - ‘Faking It’ “A somewhat challenging topic – one which actually resulted in some wonderful stories a few years ago! Over to you” 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? Other topics to share? May - Our next 500 words topic– ‘Time’ Activity –for class if we have time, otherwise to do at home…. Prompt: the items Collectors took along to a session themed ‘Time’…. ‘begin by reflecting on and recalling a specific clock or watch from early childhood and writing a description of that, keeping writing for 20 minutes. It doesn't matter where the writing takes you eventually, it may take you a million miles from clock or watch but you start with the clock and the clock is ticking.’ Brief .... There are so many ways in which we use the word 'time'...'We talk about spare time, stolen time, free time, time well spent, leisure time, wasted time, quality time, holiday time, extra time, not enough time. We say time is precious, for all time, time is short, it was such a waste of time, time flies, time and eternity, we had a good time, take your time, time stood still, where does the time go? How much time do you have? She'll do it in 'her own good time' and more. The brief is to choose and write about an element or two relating to the theme 'Time' which has meaning in terms of an event or events in your life story. Writers' Block? Reminder of some back up topics, particularly for new members - topics to include when you are ready, or if another topic doesn’t seem to work:
We are still busily writing our 500 word stories on the topic ‘Faking It’, with stories to be shared after the newsletter deadline. I wonder what people are writing about? More news later!
Our topic for May is based on the theme 'Time'.... There are so many ways in which we use the word 'time'...'We talk about spare time, stolen time, free time, time well spent, leisure time, wasted time, quality time, holiday time, extra time, not enough time. We say time is precious, for all time, time is short, it was such a waste of time, time flies, time and eternity, we had a good time, take your time, time stood still, where does the time go? How much time do you have? She'll do it in 'her own good time' and more. The brief is to choose and write about an element or two relating to the theme 'Time' which has meaning in terms of an event or events in our life stories. Late News: Next month we are piloting separate group facilitated by Noelle McCracken will focus on writing and publishing memoirs. Classes will be scheduled as follows: 1.30 to 2.50 '500 Words Stories' - Bev Lee - May topic 'Time' (refer above) 3.10 to 4.30 'Writing and Publishing Our Memoirs' - Noelle McCracken It is possible to attend either or both sessions. Bev Lee We began our March session by hearing from group members who are writing their story for family members using a timeline or life stage approach. Ray O’Shannessy distributed copies of the book he had written and printed for his family and spoke about his process, which involved using themes as well as life stages. Ray shared lessons he learnt along the way, particularly ‘Don’t rush’. Noelle McCracken also made a valued contribution, drawing upon her history in publishing to talk about a way of printing and publishing a work that is going to be added to over time
We then revisited last month’s ‘Family Traits’ topic - Betty and Neville shared their stories followed by a small group activity prompted by selecting a trait from a pack of Strengths cards. After the break fascinating stories were shared on our March topic ‘I Broke It’ – reflective stories about all the things we can break, from broken head gaskets miles from anywhere, to broken nails, high heels, ankles, backs, hearts and more. There were quirky stories and stories which broke our hearts. Our April topic is ‘Faking It’ , a topic which resulted in some enlightening stories a few years ago. The brief? ‘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?’ Bev Lee REVIEW
Family Trait - Nature or Nurture? A story with an interesting take on this -‘Nature or Nurture’ Betty’s story; any others? Strengths Card activity. RESOURCES Writing up your family story - some resources from the web: The Family Historian An e-book $9.99 Free Handout: Interview questions http://thefamilyhistorian.com.au/product/my-story-my-life-e-book/ An idea about preparing a digital story – a local history story Refer Facebook page and scroll down to the post from Benalla Migrant Camp post about Georgina’s restaurant. LOCAL RESOURCES Benalla Library Writers’ Corner – last Wednesday of month at the Library 5pm Contact Carla Gardner Regular Guest Author Presentations – this Wednesday 27 March at 6 pm local author Chester Hart from Euroawill speak about his adult fiction book ‘Screwd’, a tale of toxic work culture and how the best of intentions can go horribly wrong. A novel inspired by real-life experience inside one of Australia's prisons, 27th March 6 – 7 pm. SHARING TODAY’S TOPIC ‘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. NEXT TOPIC 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? Some samples from our website – search under ‘Faking It’ BACK UP TOPICS Some topics to include when you are ready, or if another topic doesn’t seem to work:
Bev Lee 5762 8171 [email protected] 25 February 2019 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
‘Writing Family History’ Approaches
The Story Teller – working towards a collection of, for example,
Other Approaches? Considerations
TOPICS for 2019 Some topics to include when you are ready, or if another topic doesn’t seem to work:
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.
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?
Bev Lee 5762 8171 [email protected] 25 February 2019 Over the past two years we have been working towards the separation of 'Writing Workshop' into two groups 'Creative Writing' and 'Memoir Writing'. It seemed natural to do this as we have always had some members of Writing Workshop interested in writing more creatively, perhaps even in publishing fictional stories and books. Two years ago we introduced a shorter, 'pre pub catch up session' group for Creative Writers which, by mid 2018 had become a two hour session focussing on creative writing. Most members of this group were also members of the Creative Writing group, but in later in the year new members joined keen to focus on Creative Writing only.
In 2019, Creative Writing will have its own identity, and the memoir writing group the same brief but a new title 'As Time Goes By' - Memoir Writing. Creative Writing now has its own web page and Joy's reports have been copied over to provide a sense of continuity. The theme for memoir writers on Monday 26 November was 'Endings' - the brief 'Our lives are made up of many phases that shape who we become. Reflect on a time when something important in your life ended, and how it affected you'. What an interesting collection of stories! Most were 'glass half full' in concept, perceiving endings as the opportunity for new beginnings. We also enjoyed some new stories from this year's list of topics still to be shared by members. Our first topic for 2019 is 'Family Trait'... If you are thinking of joining 'As Time Goes By' in 2019 you might like to prepare something to share about a family trait - even in draft form. It has been another very enjoyable year, meeting monthly to share stories about ‘people who shaped us’, ‘family rituals’, ‘scary moments’, ‘days at work we’ll never forget’, ‘meeting a kindred spirit’, ‘our back yard’ and more.
Congratulations to Betty Milligan for receiving third prize in the Benalla Festival’s Writing Competition for her ‘Our Back Yard’ themed poem. In November we will be sharing memories of ‘Endings’, of a time when something important in our lives ended and how it affected us. In December we will gather at the Northo at 1.30pm to celebrate the end of the year with the Creative Writing group, who will be sharing their December challenge. Our summer break challenge is to write a 500 word story about a ‘Family Trait’ we inherited and how this plays out in our lives, ready to share at our first session in February. Anyone who might be interested in joining the Creative Writing group next year is welcome to join them at their final session and Christmas break up at ‘The Northo’ on 10 December to get a taste of how they are encouraging one another to write a piece of fiction. Next year our memoir writing group will have a new title ‘As Time Goes By--Memoir Writing'! The convenor and format will remain the same. All welcome! Bev Lee Our October session featured poetry readings by local poet Seamus Foley 'Return to Spoonbill' and 'Now that Ned is home again'. To mark the Benalla Festival's theme we shared 'Our Backyard' stories, most of which lovingly celebrated the places and spaces we treasure in Benalla and its environs and were entered into the Benalla Festival's writing competition. Keen for some feedback, Seamus then shared with us a courageously written, deeply moving short story about his childhood in Ireland. We all agreed it was well worth his completing and publishing.
The theme for our next meeting on Monday 26 November at 1.30pm is 'Endings' - the brief 'Our lives are made up of many phases that shape who we become. Reflect on a time when something important in your life ended, and how it affected you'. Choices for the session also include bringing along stories we have yet to read to the group from this year's list of topics, or something else we would like to share. Bev Lee Our late August meeting began with a ‘guest presenter’ spot by group member Noelle McCracken. who shared many entertaining memories of her ‘Life in Books’. Noelle mentioned knowing ‘lots of gossip’ from the world of books, but very cleverly, and almost certainly to preserve privacy, ‘left that for another time’.
Our August topic ‘On the Job’ –evoked lots of memories, including Bev’s memories of teaching English to a class of young lawyers during a politically turbulent period in pre-democracy Madrid; Elizabeth’s memories of being at work in Ireland ‘waiting with baited breath’ during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962; Noelle’s descriptions of post retirement adventures as a tour guide; Helen’s memories of working in her mother’s milk bar and of still occasionally being recognized and asked ‘Aren’t you Mrs Duggin’s daughter?’ Stories shared in September on ‘How we met’ featured Neville’s evocative story of his experience of being with Jenny at the birth of their three sons and so meeting each of them for the first time. Neville also engaged us with stories of how he met Lionel Rose and Chips Rafferty! Noelle shared the story of finally meeting ‘Miss D. Lite’, long a mysterious name on a mailing list; Bev her first meeting four years ago with her 87 year old half sister Lenore. Joy described getting to know neighbours who became friends and then a street community; David his ‘farming forged friendship’ with a now lifetime friend who he will be meeting up with on Grand Final Eve this Friday for a ‘not too boozy’ restaurant meal in Melbourne; Betty meeting her treasured tennis playing male friend and confidante; and Jenny the dawning realisation, in the strangest place and oddest situation, that she had rediscovered a ‘preps grade’ friend, Josephine Sarah, more than fifty if not sixty decades later. We have two topics for October. The first follows our tradition of writing a story or poem on the topic set for the Benalla Writing Competition, with some members submitting their work to the competition. The theme for this years Festival, ‘Our Backyard – a celebration of special places and spaces’, is the focus of the writing competition. Our other October topic is ‘Personal Challenge’ The brief - ‘Often the most rewarding challenges are the ones we set ourselves. Share a story about stepping outside your comfort zone in the name of self-improvement.’ Bev Lee Introductory Speaker/Topic/Talk - Carmel Bird has been a great support to writers/writing groups writing three books, with the publication of 'Writing the Story of Your Life' inspiring a session in which Carmel was interviewed by the ABC's Ramona Koval at the Como Writers' Festival in Melbourne in 2007. It is well worth listening to - there is also a transcript. Links below - we will have back ups on USB just in case the Wifi is acting up.
Listen: mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2007/04/bsw_20070420_1000.mp3 Transcript: Program page with transcript - http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/archived/bookshow/writing-the-story-of-your-life-with-carmel-bird/3402224#transcript Sharing our stories: 'How We Met' A writing exercise from Carmel - 'Clocks' preceded by showing of the clocks and watches from Collectors! Session Handout - September 24 As the next newsletter goes to press we are all busy putting pens to paper on the topic set for August 27 - ‘On the Job’ -. Our brief –‘We spend much of our lives working. Our job, for better or worse, helps define us. Write a first person story about a day at work you’ll never forget’.
It is always fascinating listening to the many ways in which our 500 word topics are interpreted. The topics set for our group often provide triggers to remember stories we’d forgotten about and the chance to reflect upon them again through wiser eyes. If you’d like to join our group, come along with a story of around 500 words on our topic to share with our very supportive and encouraging group (even if your story is in draft form). The topic for our September 24th session is How we met ‘Our best friends, neighbours, partners, lovers were all strangers once. Tell us how you met a kindred spirit and what the relationship means to you’. Bev Lee The ABC's '500 Words' projects ran for over three years as an online offering from the ABC, with the last topic 'Unfinished Business' formulated in late 2016. It left unfinished business, happening suddenly, possibly as a result of budget cuts. Fortunately, online archives has continued to be available to us to dip into since then..
However this year, the idea of 500 words writing projects has reemerged, in a slightly different form. The topic 'A Turning Point' has been offered for online voice submissions to 'Life Matters' since earlier this year. "Was there a moment in your life which was a turning point—an event or time that has shaped the person you are today?" Find out more at http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lifematters/features/turning-point/ The page includes links to a number of 'turning point' stories you can listen to, including 'Leaving the Uniform' - George Koulakis 'Learning from my Daughter' - Roz Hall The Garret Podcast - Miles Franklin Award Winner - Michelle de Kretser for 'The Life to Come'; you can listen to an interview with Michelle on https://thegarretpodcast.com/michelle-de-kretser/ Guardian's Book Review of 'The Life to Come'... https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jan/03/the-life-to-come-by-michelle-de-kretser-review Coming up on Wednesday at 5pm at the Library - Writers Corner - Just a quick reminder that local Wangaratta author Thalia Kalkipsakis will be at the Benalla Library this Wednesday 29th August for Writer's Corner where she will talk about being an author, the Starlight Trilogy AND run some writing exercises at 5pm. In late June our Memoir Writing group shared stories about Family Rituals, ‘the weird and wonderful things that you do together that only your family understand’. Most of us found it difficult to highlight a ‘standout’ family ritual, but as we shared stories found they often related to the preparing and sharing of meals, from the making of scones with grandchildren, to the meals prepared for Christmas (including memories of three pences and six pences in plum puddings), to the tradition of drinking a cup of tea with two milk arrowroot biscuits across the generations (not to be dunked in public of course!).
A number of our stories in late July about ‘A Scary Moment’ ‘Your heart pounds, your hair stands on end… Tell us a story about a moment when you were truly terrified.’ related to memories of fear experienced as children living in the country. Stories were shared of being a child fearful of strange cows in a field on the way home from school which looked just like those seen in a dream the night before; being a child fearful that ‘foxes eat little girls’; being a child fearful of something which frightened them while they were collecting flowers in a druid like ring of rhododendron bushes, and more. Our next topic is ‘On the Job’ ‘We spend much of our lives working. Our job, for better or worse, helps define us. Write a first-person story about a day at work you’ll never forget’. The theme for the Benalla Festival has been released –‘Our Back Yard – A Celebration of Spaces and Places’. The brief for the Festival’s writing competition will be announced in the coming weeks and added as an additional topic to be shared in October or November. Bev Lee In late May our Memoir Writing group felt enormously privileged to hear about the people chosen for the topic Someone who Shaped Me. Our June 25 topic, Family Rituals, ‘the weird and wonderful things that you do together that only your family understand’, will almost certainly result in an equally absorbing and memory provoking session.
The 500 word memoir topic for July 23rd is A Scary Moment – ‘Your heart pounds, your hair stands on end… Tell us a story about a moment when you were truly terrified.’ (Remember self care - share something which you aren’t still quite traumatised about.) ‘Frequently Asked Question’ If you are thinking of joining Writing Workshop It is quite acceptable to go to either Memoir Writing or Creative Writing – or both! Bev Lee |
'As Time Goes By' - Memoir WritingExplore your life's extraordinary moments with "As Time Goes By - Memoir Writing", a creative outlet and supportive community for members eager to pen the stories of their lives that their families may never have the chance to ask about.
A memoir is a selected slice of one's life, a captivating glimpse into a particular theme, lesson, or experience. In our monthly sessions, members embark on a journey of reminiscence, sharing stories in response to themed writing topics, with a recommended limit of 500 words. "As Time Goes By - Memoir Writing" is not a traditional writing skills class. It is not designed to guide you through the process of creating a detailed, timeline based autobiography. Instead, it's a platform for sharing profound and cherished moments of your life within a warm and empathetic community of fellow memoirists. Convenor & Contact detailsBeverley Lee
0478 607 838 Newsletter Correspondent:
Graham Jensen Meeting Times3rd Monday 2 - 4 pm
U3A Meeting Room Resources'Tips for Writing your 500 Words Story' (ABC Open)
Writing a story in 500 words - approaching the topics 'Failure' and 'Heart Break' (ABC Open)
LinksAustralian Writers' Centre
Victorian Writers' Centre - Writers' Victoria Wheeler Centre The Memoir Writing Club - On Line Courses Past topics
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