Memoir Writing with Amra Pajalic

A hands on practical workshop where participants will be introduced to the concepts required to write a successful memoir and receive critiques on their extracts from award-winning author and memoirist Amra Pajalic. Participants will write stand-alone chapters to submit for publication in order to develop their literary portfolio. They will also learn how to adapt narrative writing techniques to memoir, and incorporate memoir writing techniques in order to develop a satisfying narrative arc.

We are fortunate again to partner with Creative Brimbank and through their Art Spaces Activation Partnership program bring this writing series to our community.

Session 1:  All About Memoir

What are the features and expectations of memoir, memoir writing techniques (composites, timeline compression, name changes, dialogue, point of view, tense)

Session 2: Structure

Delve into the structure of chapters, stand-alone pieces and overall narrative arc of a book length memoir.

Session 3 : Writing Process and Publication

Common writing obstacles:

•     researching,
•     protecting yourself and others during the writing process,
•     supports to help you keep writing,
•     finding your brand,
•     networking

Session 4:  Submitting

Process of submitting stand-alone chapters and extracts to develop publication portfolio, submitting completed books to agents and publishers.

Workshops are Thursday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd June from 7.00pm to 8.30pm.

You only need to register for Session 1 to attend all 4 sessions.

Numbers limited, bookings essential.  Light refreshments included

About Amra Pajalić

Amra Pajalić is an award-winning author, an editor and teacher who draws on her Bosnian cultural heritage to write own voices stories for young people, who like her, are searching to mediate their identity and take pride in their diverse culture.

Amra Pajalić won the 2009 Melbourne Prize for Literature's Civic Choice Award for her debut novel The Good Daughter. The anthology she co-edited, Growing up Muslim in Australia (Allen and Unwin, 2014), was shortlisted for the 2015 Children's Book Council of the year awards and her memoir Things Nobody Knows But Me (Transit Lounge, 2019) was shortlisted for the 2020 National Biography Award.

Are you a lover of memoirs and personal storytelling? Described by the New York Times as ‘thrilling and engaging – universal, profound… and uplifting’ Joan Didion’s celebrated memoir is brought to life by Green-Room Award-winning actor Jillian Murray in a critically-acclaimed solo performance to be presented at the Bowery Theatre (in St Albans) on Tuesday 21 June 2022 at 7.30pm. For tickets and more information, visit: creativebrimbank.com.au/the-year-of-magical-thinking