Write/Chat with Linda Joy about Memoir, Family, and Holidays
December 14, 2018
11 AM PST | 12 PM MST | 1 PM CST | 2 PM EST
It’s the holiday season—a time when memories and family and stories all come together. Sometimes we’re happy for this opportunity to gather and share stories, but sometimes the holidays remind us of times gone by that are bittersweet. Sometimes the holidays allow the old dynamics to rise up—you know, the ones you thought were settled long ago. During family gatherings, you may also experience a re-orienting of your memories, seeing the past through a different lens.
If you’re writing your memoir or are about to, the holiday season can be an opportunity to do some sleuthing in the family story archives. Gathering around the family photo album is a good way to go exploring—each person has their favorite photo or memory and it can be fun to hear the stories you already know—or do you? Maybe this year you’ll discover some new angles! Some secrets may be revealed. Some treasures from the past finally unveiled.
This special member teleseminar offers a time to discuss the issue of family stories—and how you will write what you know—whether anyone agrees with you or not. It’s a time to take stock of the stories you have and start a list of the ones you want to write/need to write.
I’m running the teleseminar as a discussion time for the issues that come up with memoirists about family and an opportunity to write a few short vignettes. I’m available to talk with you about your questions and it’s a great time to get to know some of your fellow memoir writers!
Please join us for our end of the year NAMW Member Teleseminar. And a huge welcome to all you new members! I hope you join us to say hello and to spend a few minutes focusing on your memoir.
Some writing prompt ideas:
- Write a scene about the best Christmas or seasonal holiday you can remember. What makes that holiday stand out for you?
- What are the colors and the sounds and the activities that highlight your holidays?
- Reflect on how your childhood holidays have contributed to how you celebrate holidays now.
- Name 5 favorite things about the holidays.
- Name 5 things you wish would never happen again during the holidays.
- What is your philosophy about how to celebrate/survive the holiday season?
These are some possible prompts for our workshop. If you have a prompt that you would like to share, let us know.
