NAMW Roundtable Discussion FREE for ALL

December 8 4 PST 5 MST 6 CST 7 EST

with Rachael Herron & Nicole Johns

Topic: The Gift of Memoir

Rachael Herron

Join us in a discussion of how to frame memory into something more than just an off-the-cuff dinner party story. The truth, retold, can be liberating, entertaining, educational, and amusing — sometimes all at the same time. Writing memoir is about finding your own truth and expressing it in the clearest, most honest way possible so that others can participate in your journey. It is truly a gift to others, and yourself if you

• Write the truth.
• Write from the heart.
• Write with clarity.
• Write with compassion.

It takes courage and a regular schedule of writing to bring our gifts to fruition. Join us for a great discussion.

Rachael Herron is the author of a memoir A Life in Stitches, and several knitting/romance novels. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, and has been knitting since she was five years old. It’s more than a hobby; it’s a way of life. 

Rachael lives with her better half in Oakland, California, where they have four cats, three dogs, three spinning wheels, and more instruments than they can count. She is a proud member of the San Francisco Area Romance Writers of America and she is struggling to learn the ukulele.

Nicole Johns

I will be speaking about the gifts that writing and publishing my memoir has given me, including (but not limited to) catharsis, confidence in myself as a writer, empathy for myself, and the ability to help others that are struggling with an Eating Disorder, also abbreviated as ED, and the opportunity to do outreach about the topic. I will talk about how at times writing and publishing my memoir was quite trying, but the process helped me grow as a writer, and as a person. I will also talk about how writing and publishing memoir helped me discover that I wanted to work in the mental health field. Had I not written a memoir about my experience with an eating disorder, I might not have discovered that I’m very interested in psychology and counseling.

• Participants will learn how the process of writing memoir is a process of discovery and growth
  
• Participants will learn that writing a memoir is a gift to oneself
• Participants will learn that even though writing a memoir is sometimes emotionally draining, the experience is often cathartic and helpful
• Participants will learn that writing memoir helps us learn more about ourselves, and about other people in our lives

Nicole  is originally from a small town in rural Western Pennsylvania, but now lives in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, where she teaches English at several local colleges. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Minnesota and her BA in English/Creative Writing from Penn State-Erie, The Behrend College. Her first book, Purge: Rehab Diaries (Seal Press, 2009) was nominated for ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Award in memoir, and has been described by Library Journal as an “unflinching work rooted in feminist self-reflection.” Nicole has also published poems in numerous literary magazines, including The Evening Street Review, Ellipsis, and Lake Effect.

Nicole Johns has been in recovery from Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) since 2005.

AUDIO AVAILABLE AFTER THE EVENT FOR 30 DAYS

If you sign up, you will receive the audio link which is FREE for 30 days. After that time, the audio will be available for sale.

The ROUNDTABLE is different from our Monthly Member-only Teleseminars –it’s an informal discussion where you exchange ideas with experts and other writers on the line in a casual sharing environment.

At the ROUNDTABLE you receive a direct connection with experts — which helps you to develop your ideas and hone your skills as you write and publish your memoir. And we have fun on the call, talking about our own challenges in writing a memoir and connecting with others who are doing the same.