Advanced Memoir Writing

Class format and activities

This is a practical creative writing course. Each week there will be different writing activities which will help you to further your knowledge of your subject, develop your ideas and experiment with your writing style. You will study texts from a range of life writing material and will be asked to contribute to class discussions. You will be expected to share excerpts from your work-in-progress with your tutor and fellow students for critical feedback. Each week a small amount of homework will be set.

Learning Outcomes

• 01: Identify some of your writing’s strengths and areas for development
• 02: Develop extracts from your work in progress
• 03: Apply new approaches to shaping your material
• 04: Share and discuss any ethical concerns regarding wiring about your life
• 05: Learn new skills to help you develop your work in progress

Course entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course but some previous experience of memoir or creative writing is desirable.

What you need to know before you enrol

This is not a class for those wanting to try out memoir writing for the first time. You will need to show excerpts from your personal project for peer and tutor feedback.

What to bring to class

Pen and paper. You will need to find time to write and read outside of the class (a list of suggested reading will be provided by the tutor).

What you can do next

There are a number of Creative Writing courses at Morley College which may help you develop your prose style or further your ideas including Structuring Your Memoir; Writing Place & Setting and Nature writing.