The Times They Were a-Changin’
Writing Group for Women
8 Tuesdays, September 22–November 10
3–4:45 PM PDT / 6–7:45 PM EDT
$207 | $197 for NAMW members
Your memories are part of history. It’s time to write them.
We can never forget the wild, changing world of the ’60s and ’70s, even as our icons leave us. It was a time of enormous historic and cultural change—and we were there.
We saw it all and lived it, sometimes in innocence and sometimes painfully, but also with joy and hope. As the world changed, so did we.
Where were you?
How did you live out your questions and quests in an era that shaped who you were—and who you are today? What are your stories of coming of age as the world seemed to tilt on its axis?
From duck and cover, Camelot, John-John’s salute, the Vietnam War and the draft to peace marches, the Summer of Love, the Age of Aquarius and Woodstock. Dylan and Baez. The Stones and Country Joe. Communes and the British Invasion.
Then there were the changes that transformed our lives as women—the women’s movement, Ms. Magazine, consciousness-raising groups, Our Bodies, Ourselves, Roe v. Wade, and new choices our mothers could hardly have imagined.
There was Earth Day, Future Shock, Watergate, yoga, Ram Dass, hippies, yuppies and gurus. Sex, love and rock ’n’ roll. Spiritual quests and mind expansion. It was a time of intensity, darkness and fear, as well as light.
We lived it. Now we need to write it.
Those who came after us didn’t live through the chaos day to day. They don’t know what it was like to be young women at a time when we had so few choices and opportunities—and then to watch the world open up in ways we could barely have imagined.
Our personal stories can tell what it was really like.
We are not only remembering our lives. We are historians and torch carriers for the generations that follow us.
The Times They Were a-Changin’ Writing Group welcomes you and your stories.
Gather your photos, clippings, books, diaries and journals. Bring your memories and the music that takes you back.
We’ll share lists, music and memories, write in class, and bring in new work each week. Gentle craft lessons will help you shape your stories so they live vividly on the page and say what you want them to say.
And in the process, we’ll have the chance to look again at where we came from, what we believed, what changed us, and what we know now.
About Linda Joy Myers
The group will be led by Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D., founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers.
Linda Joy has offered a safe and fruitful space for memoirists for 35 years, helping hundreds of writers find and share their stories.
And she lived those years too—the confusion, the passion, the inspiration, and the search for Self.
The Details
Date: 8 Tuesdays | September 22–November 10
Time: 3–4:45 PM PDT / 6–7:45 PM EDT
Price: $197 for NAMW members; $207 for Non-Members
Come write the stories only you can tell.
Be there or be square!
Sounds intriguing. On Zoom I assume? Can you share a bit more about the structure and dynamic e.g.how many in the group, sharing, critiquing, etc? Thanks! Hope you and kitties are well!
Hi Paula–would love to have you! on zoom, all sessions will be recorded. Each class will have a short teaching, and there will be listings of topics, prompts, and hopefully some inspirational music before we write. There will be sharing of brief writings in class and each week you can bring in a scene you worked on to share. It’s not as much about critique as inspiration, for when things are flowing they naturally read well!
This fits my deal entirely, except I’m flying to France this afternoon and won’t return until October 8th. Can I sign up and catch up?
Of course, Carol. We record everything so you’ll have the previous classes! Enjoy your trip!!
I’ve been wanting to write about this time in my life and how it continues to define me. Having Kent State University in my Ohio backyard was deeply impactful. And the music. Oh, the music.
I hope you will consider forming this group again as I am a busy lady over the next two months. and am unable to fit it into my schedule.
Looking forward to joining a group in the near future!
Hi Dru–yes, there is so much to remember! I don’t know when we will offer the class again. It is recorded so you would have access to all the sessions if you sign up!
I have been following this site for several years now as I attempt to write my memoirs. I have been writing stories but could use some help. My problem is I am not able to commit to the same day and time each week for 2-3 months. I am trying to decide if I would benefit from signing up, attending when I can, and learn from the recorded sessions. That period in my life is so important that I want to pull it all together so that future generations can experience it.
Your thoughts, please!
Dear Jessie–great that you have been writing consistently! Time commitment of course is an issue, but the class is recorded and everyone gets the slides, handouts, and the videos each week. The reason I’m offering the class is to encourage those of us who lived those amazing times to leave our legacy of lived experiences–it was a time like no other. Our history is REAL history! You also get a free 15 minute consult with me as part of the class to use when you have time. Come when you can! Hope to see you there!
I hope I am not too late registering–even though I was not able to attend the first session. I just registered and paid the fee, so I hope I can get a recording of the first class.