Note from the Director: This workshop was offered in 2020. Learn more about this year’s workshops.

 

Write Your Story: A Memoir Workshop

Writing workshop in New Jersey

January 17-20, 2020
Led by Amanda Morris

Everybody has a story to tell. It does not need to be earth-shattering to be compelling; it just needs to be well written. We will start with a “snapshot” of memory—a recalled taste, sound, texture or smell—and learn to make it rich with sensory details, well-chosen words and a clear point of view. After looking at short memoir excerpts, we’ll discuss how these authors create dialogue, move around in time or capture a sense of place. Then we’ll work on exercises designed to tap into our memories, experiences and ideas, practice new storytelling techniques and learn how fictional tools help the memoir writer. As we share our developing stories, we will also discuss how to expand them into publishable pieces.

*Limited to just 10 participants.* 

 

“Amanda Morris is an excellent teacher in that she gives individual attention and zeroes in on what would help you the most. She packs a lot of information into each class and challenges her students while encouraging them at the same time. This is my second year in her workshop and I feel she advanced my writing.”
~ Susan, Newtown, PA

 

Biography

Amanda Morris was a full-time freelance writer and journalist for ten years prior to earning her Ph.D. and becoming a professor of writing. From national and regional newspapers and magazines such as the Pittsburgh Tribune Review and Writer’s Digest to web sites such as LifetimeTV.com and regional travel and food trade publications, Amanda has written thousands of published articles, feature stories, reviews and investigative journalistic stories. Even as a professor, she makes money as a contributing writer to Teaching Tolerance. Amanda loves sharing her practical knowledge and hard-won insights on the freelance life with writers who want to learn how to make money with their writing. Read her essay “Funeral for a Childhood” and visit her website.