Writing Your Life Workshops
Memoir & Personal Writing
Your story is yours—it’s probably the only thing that is all yours—and you have a right to use it in any way you wish, to bend it into fiction, to transmute it into poetry, or serve it up as memoir. But before you can decide which way to shape your writing, you have to get into the habit of writing freely. You have to find a way to turn off the editor, the critic or what Virginia Woolf called the angel in the house, the voices that are always ready to whisper in your ear and shut you down. The world is so fast to criticize that I focus on pleasure and encouragement in my workshops. In my experience, there is so much under the surface waiting to be accessed. With a bit of navigational guidance and prompting, most students are able to locate and mine their own rich vein of material.
For independent workshops, email: Lauber519@gmail.com
UCLA Online Workshop
Sojourns Through Memory: Writing Out of Your Life
3 credits
www.uclaextension.edu
Writing out of your life can be a process of self-revelation, a way of tending to the soul and discerning the pattern of your life even while you’re in the midst of living it. Whether you want to write a memoir or transmute your life into fiction or poetry, this workshop helps you mine the rich vein of material that is yours alone. The focus of this workshop is on production, pleasure, and encouragement. Using a combination of weekly prompts and assignments, instructor feedback, and group interaction, you write a series of autobiographical narratives. For both beginners and seasoned writers who want to get in touch with their personal voice.
Student Testimonials:
You deserve all sorts of kudos for setting up the class the way you have, starting always from the personal, slowly expanding the scope and depth of the writing, giving us options as starting points, providing support, permission, and positive suggestions for growth. I really feel started on consistent writing, seeing the value as a way to be deeply in touch with myself, my past, and my present. – Eileen
Your class was an absolute wonder for me to take – made me feel alive & whole again! I will definitely continue writing, thank you! – Mei
My relationship with writing is in a completely different (better!) place than when I started this class, and I am so grateful to you for that. ….I’m enjoying writing again, getting so much out of it, and see so much more possibility for where I might go with it. Maybe even a book! Thank you so much. – Briana
This class was truly life changing for me. Your gentle guidance and the encouragement from my classmates made this so worthwhile for me – thank you all! – Kim
One of the highlights of my life was “meeting” you and taking your course. You provided me with tools of insight and changing my points of view that continue to help me through the rough patches. – Marcia
I feel so lucky to have taken your online class! You have helped me in so many ways and I truly appreciate the kindness you showed me. I appreciate someone with the experience and knowledge you have and yet there was a humble and understanding response to my questions as well as my writing – Michelle
I wanted to personally thank you for the time you took with a group of scared women who had never written about themselves. You nursed us along, heaping praise on all of us, making many of us feel special for the first time. It’s an exciting thing to have someone besides your friends tell you that you have an important story to tell. – Sandy
You helped me grow as a writer and human being. You took me to the next level in weaving my own story into this work, while holding my feet to the fire to make sure I didn’t shrink back from fully showing up and being real. I deeply admire your authenticity as a writer. You’ve been a true gem in my life as I continue to hone the art of writing from the heart. – Mira
Thank you for everything – the encouragement, the critiques, the depth of your responses. I plan to continue moving forward with UCLA writing classes and even enrolling in the certificate program. In the words of my high school students, you rock! – Christina
I regret not taking this course for a grade, now that I have fallen in love with writing and want to write more. I’ve really enjoyed this, and I thank you for being such a thoughtful and informative teacher. You introduced me to automatic writing and halting my inner editor which has been immeasurable helpful. – Claire
It was a real honor to study with you. I couldn’t have found a safer environment in which to write about some of my topics. Lynn, you were simply the best! With lasting gratitude, – Donna
It has been such an experience … this wonderful class, led by you. I thank you for your every drop of wisdom and support. I will keep writing … I have found joy in it. Thank you, thank you. – Mia