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Managing the Sad, Bad and Mad Bits in Your Memoir

Date:

With:

Sarah Vincent

Rating:

EARLY, EMERGING

Summary:

The mad, bad and sad bits of a memoir, if well-written, are often the best, and a memoir that only deals with the happy parts of a life would be dull to read. But readers of memoir hate it when the writer wallows in self-pity and bitterness or seems only hell bent on revenge.

Sarah Vincent

Details

So how then do we write about things we are still bitter about, or feel sad about without alienating our readers? Humour helps, but what if that isn’t your strength? Insight and hindsight help too.

In this workshop we will explore, in a fun and safe environment, writing techniques you can use to help you portray these difficult parts of your life to make them un-put-downable as well as moving and vivid.

 

You will learn:

  • How to use well-chosen details to make their scenes come alive
  • How to lift an incident up to its universal themes to make it moving for the reader
  • How to use show and techniques to give these difficult moments intimacy
  • How to use tell techniques to give your memoir pace and urgency
  • How to keep yourself and the reader emotionally safe during these difficult parts of your memoir

 

About Sarah Vincent

Sarah Vincent is a graduate of the scriptwriting course at The Victorian College of the Arts and of The Professional Writing and Editing program at RMIT. Her memoir, 'Death By Dim Sim' was published by Penguin Random House in March 2017 and by Audible Books in 2018. Sarah currently teaches creative writing at Swinburne and RMIT universities and has had a long association with Writers Victoria in a previous role as Memberships Officer.

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Registration for this event ended on 22 March 2019 - 4:00
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