Thursday, June 26, 2014

SOME IDEAS FOR IGNITING YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY WRITING

We all have families.  We all have stories from our families.  Here are some ideas to get you started on that essay or memoir:


1.  Think of a family story you have told or you have heard and decide what the THEME of the story is.  Make some notes. 

2.  Write the story briefly without straying from the theme or explaining who the people are nor giving any background information.

3. Now while you imagine you are talking to a close friend, write your thoughts about the story assuming your friend knows the story already. 

4. Now write the story again incorporating those thoughts or allowing the insights made change the way you tell the story.

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1.  Make a list of your family's or close-knit group's classic stories, the ones you repeat all the time. 

2. Next to each story write what myths it fosters about the group or what purpose it serves.

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1. Make a list of the ways you could focus a memoir with a certain defined period, for example, "The year I got married,"  "The year I went to first grade."  You can also use a shorter period or a longer one but they may be more difficult to work with.

2. Make a list of topics you feel passionate about. 

3. Topics you argue about.

4. Write about the process of learning something over a period of time.  What did it feel like at different stages?


And don't forget to register for:
PERSONAL ESSAY/MEMOIR WORKSHOP
Only $20.00
TUESDAY, JULY 1 - 7 to 9 pm
CULTURA IN PILSEN, 1900 S. Carpenter
TO REGISTER GO TO: 
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-latino-writers-personal-essaymemoir-workshop-tickets-12011762505


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