French philosopher Gaston Bachelard said that the house is a metaphor for humanness and a space for imagining and ‘reading’ ourselves. In a mix of readings, discussion, writing exercises and feedback, explore how the places we have lived in can be described, interpreted and integrated into a memoir.

You will learn

• Consider the house as a character in your story
• Explore the house to trigger memories and emotions
• Explore the psychology of the house and its impact on your story
• Examine the subject of intimacy and secrecy in the house as relevant to your memoir
• Balance reflection & description (‘showing’ and ‘telling’) in your writing

Josiane shared her thoughts with us in a Q&A. You can read it on this website.

About Josiane Behmoiras

Josiane Behmoiras is the author of ‘Dora B: A Memoir of My Mother’ published in Australia and overseas and shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Award. She has been teaching writing for a decade, and earned a creative writing PhD at the University of Melbourne. Josiane has particular interest in personal upheaval narratives, family history, travel writing, personal essays and dystopian fiction.