FIRST DRAFT: Writing Memoir & Recording History

a Creative Nonfiction Workshop

‘Sometimes in a nervous frenzy I just fling words as if I were flinging mud at a wall. Blurt out, heave out, babble out something — anything — as a first draft.’

According to Pulitzer Prize winning author and writing professor John McPhee, first drafts should be a place to write freely from the heart without editing. Whether it’s personal, business or community orientated, finding the best way to tell a story is just the beginning of every writer’s challenges. But unless you have a draft of something you cannot enjoy the process of second, third and fourth drafts.

Join us for a month-long workshop where we will share tips for getting started, editing and refining your writing project, structuring your material and sharing first pages. Whether you’re writing a family history, creating digital content or crafting a personal essay, our creative writing workshop might be a perfect fit for you. Over four weeks (a total of 10 hours meeting time) we will cover a range of topics from emotional truth in memoir, drafting and building essays or chapters and borrowing from the fiction writer’s tool box. As well as short, regular in-class writing exercises we will share weekly homework to keep you writing after you leave. Participants will also have the opportunity for one on one consultations with the tutor.

Dates: May 24, May 31, June 7 and June 21 2023

Time: 6.00pm to 8.30pm Wednesday nights

Cost: $360 for the four week course

About Caroline:

Dr Caroline van de Pol is an author, editor and university lecturer who teaches creative writing workshops. Caroline has published three books with her most recent being Back to Broady (a memoir) published by Ventura Press. She is currently working on a collection of personal essays on nature, conservation and wellbeing.

For any questions or enquiries about the course please contact Caroline directly via vandepolc@gmail.com