Memoir in a Year: Research and Interviews
Date:
With:
Lorna Hendry
Rating:
EARLY, EMERGING
Summary:
Memoirs are crafted with a balance of remembering and research. Research can kickstart a writing project, fill in the gaps in your own knowledge and expand the themes and topics of your memoir.Details
You might find yourself poring over old photographs, exploring archival records, conducting interviews or searching online. It will be fascinating (and addictive), so it’s important to have a plan and recognise when it’s time to stop researching and start writing.
You will learn
- how to fill the gaps in your own understanding of the past through research and interviews
- how to identify the different stages of writing and what kinds of research might be most appropriate at each stage
- how to decide what information to use and what to let go, and how to incorporate the results into your memoir
- how to choose interview subjects, draw out the information you need from them and remain open to surprises
- how to avoid falling into the ‘black hole of research’ that can distract you from your writing.
About Lorna Hendry
Lorna Hendry is the author of 'Wrong Way Round', a travel memoir about a three-year family camping trip around Australia. She is an editor, writer and graphic designer and has written and designed 15 non-fiction children’s books. 'The Gigantic Book of Genes' is shortlisted for the 2017 CBCA Eve Pownall Award for Information Book of the Year. Lorna teaches in RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing program and is researching a new book for older children.
You can read a Q&A with Lorna Hendry on this website.
Memoir in a Year
Read more about our Memoir in a Year workshops, or save 10% on the full package of ten
Memoir in a Year: Finding Your Story, 29 July
Memoir in a Year: Research and Interviews, 26 August
Memoir in a Year: Themes, 23 September
Memoir in a Year: Memory vs Imagination, 28 October
Memoir in a Year: Voice and Narration, 25 November
Memoir in a Year: Character and Dialogue, 27 January
Memoir in a Year: Showing, not Telling, 24 February
Memoir in a Year: Legal Issues and Ethics, 31 March
Memoir in a Year: Protecting Yourself, 28 April