Everyone Has a Story
One reason that I wanted to start my own business was to specifically teach memoir writing classes. My mom took a memoir class for years down in Palm Desert, CA taught by the lovely Tammy L. Houts who runs TLC Writing Retreats for Women. Tammy, as my inspiration, showed me what an incredible thing the class was for her students. The classes not only capture moments in the writer’s life like a photograph turned into words but there is also a bit of catharsis that happens along the way. Those who take her classes look at all they’ve accomplished, survived, done, and then truly see what remarkable human beings they are. It’s very empowering. I decided that I wanted to teach that type of class. Mom wrote stories from when she was born until her retirement years. Tammy was able to bring all those stories to the surface by giving her students writing prompts. She was able to bring well-written stories out by creating an environment of love and acceptance as they read their stories to their classmates. I told Tammy, “When I grow up, I want to be you.” I didn’t mean it literally, but she knew what I meant. (And now as she continues to create those amazing writing retreats, I really do want to be her.)
So begins my business and my classes. “Write Your Memoir” is a series of 4 classes that will spark details hidden inside the toughest of brains. “Memoir Writing for Publication” is also a series of 4 classes and it’s designed to bring a single experience of stories together into a cohesive book for publication. These classes are designed to bring those memories out so classmates can write them down in an interesting way. Everybody has a story or two or three. Even if they think their life isn’t interesting, it most certainly is. Memoirs and biographies shouldn’t be reserved for the rich and famous, but some people think that if they haven’t lived like those people then they don’t have a story to tell. They do. What I like about all the memoirs I’ve read, is that I can get a glimpse of a moment in time before I was born. Or a moment in a state or country where I’ve never been. Or get to experience family traditions that are different from mine. There are so many types of people in the world and when they write about themselves and their lives, their worlds become a part of a broader consciousness. I believe this is important for our world. If Jane Austen didn’t write her books, how much of the Regency Period and what it was like for women during that time would be known today? If Cheryl Strayed didn’t write Wild would any of us really know what it was like to walk the PCT unless we had hiked it? If Stephanie Meyer didn’t write Twilight, would anyone really know what it’s like to be in love with a vampire? (Well, maybe Sarah Michelle Geller would.) Actually, that last one was a joke. Because vampires don’t exist. Probably.
Anyway, you get my point. Everyone has a life full of stories. Things happen in our world either because they just happen and we have to deal with them, or we make them happen and we are a part of it all. I can’t wait to lead this group that will create amazing stories. A group that looks at all they’ve accomplished, survived, and done, and then truly appreciate what remarkable human beings they are. A group empowered to create and write and share.
“Memoir Writing for Publication” will meet on 4 Fridays: Fri, Sep 23, 2022 through Fri, Oct 14, 2022 at 1220 Main Street, Vancouver, WA in the 4th floor conference room from 4:30-6:00pm. “Write Your Memoir” class will meet for 4 Wednesdays, Oct. 19-Nov. 9, 2022 in the same spot from 9:30am-11:00am. Can’t wait to meet you all!
