Magical Memoir Moments

Writing Down the Bones: Slow and Dumb

By Shirley Showalter | February 5, 2009

I remember reading this breakthrough book soon after it was published in the late 1980’s.  I don’t remember how I bought the book, and I don’t have the old copy on my shelf, so I may have loaned or given it away, Mostly, I remember how I felt after reading it. High!  I had never…

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Natalie Goldberg: Memoir Workshop at the Sophia Institute

By Shirley Showalter | January 28, 2009

Last weekend I enjoyed sunshine, warm air, a beautiful room in the carriage house of the Phoebe Pember House affiliated with the Sophia Institute, a long walk in historic Charleston, a wonderful memoir workshop, and delightful conversation with Natalie Goldberg, the workshop leader, at the Slightly North of Broad Restaurant. Here she is, on the…

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Fetzer Workshop on Reflective Writing: The Conclusion

By Shirley Showalter | January 12, 2009

Today I finished leading the last 1.5-hour workshop in a series of four which took place at the Fetzer Institute. I think the title of this workshop–Timed Writing–may have scared away potential participants.   Sounds as jolly as retaking the SAT.  Despite the title, and despite the fact that four people on the list could not…

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