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Life Writing, Ever Do It?

16 years ago

I am thinking about taking a "life writing" class. I don't know much about it and would like someone to explain it to me. Our local university offers a class in it and will begin a new class soon. I think, but not certain, they meet once or twice each week. What would I write about? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. Merci. Ton ami, T

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Comments (5)

michaelalreadytaken
16 years ago
I always wanted to do that but never have. I open up Word on the computer and immediately undergo paralysis. I do a little better with pure fiction although it's been my experience that my experiences always come through, if only recognizable to me. What else is there I guess? :)

Is Ernest Gaines still down there?

The Creative Writing program used to have some wonderful folks in it--created it from nothing and were truly interested in seeing people advance, very attentive. One of them left and came out here to run the CW program at UC Santa Cruz and another one of my faves has passed away.

MichaelAT
pagan
16 years ago
I signed up for one once, buyt the instructor was a dip... would like to try again tho. What I would like would be more of a writing group, getting together weekly or so to read our stuff, get opinions, etc.; so I would be accountable to do ing it...
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Hi Trisha, I understand why you come here when your in pain. I carried a burden all my life and a lot of shame. My Mother had "Huntington's Disease" and my Dad left me to take care of her when I was 11 years old. I was forced to put her in a nursing home when she was 42 years old and I was 25. I took her alone to check out the nursing home and she said "If I'm not nuts, I will be".I moved away and literally abandoned her until my brother called me home, to tell her goodbye. She was bedridden and couldn't speak but she heard my voice and responded. I didn't get any peace until she died at age 54. She came to me in a dream and wrapped her arms around me. She was young and beautiful just like she was when I was small. She loved flowers and laughter and butterflies and me. I'm told my heart is just like her's. When you live with that hanging over your head, anything else is trivial. I don't worry, it doesn't change anything. She's the reason I believe in reincarnation. I recently went through a very hard time, so bad I was banned from my step moms memorial 3 weeks ago! She'd left me her painting books and I was looking at them today. I haven't painted in probably 25 years, but I plan to start! I think you need to forgive yourself first, you were just a kid, too. Reach out to her as only you know how to do, and tell her what you need her to know. I think you'll be surprised how light we are when we let go of a burden. Marcy
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vjcamp
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I thought about getting a mini tape recorder- many of my better ideas or memories/stories come when I am not where I can write them down- they also come faster than I can capture them.
jody
16 years ago
I had a wonderful teacher in high school, of all places. He required you to write something every day - about anything - you just had to write. He collected the notebooks (not the whole class, just several people a week) and made comments. I found myself looking at everything around me as something I could write about. I credit him with my comfort in front of a word processor. One of my high school mates is published - she has real talent.

I think the little tape recorder is a good idea. A great way to capture those thoughts, those moments of wonder and gratitude or angst or comedy.
taureau
Original Author
16 years ago
Friday morning was the end of this semester's writing class. Myself, and others were invited to attend. Some of the writers read their papers. All really good reports. I really enjoyed them. I did sign up for next semester's class. I found out that most, don't stop at the end of one semester, they continue on. Some have been doing this for several years.
It is life writing, but it is all in segments, or events in their lives.
One elderly gentleman said, he gives his stories to family members as gifts. More later, T

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