Online Writing Day: Memoir | Laying foundations for writing your memoir this year | Arvon
Online Writing Day: Memoir
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Online Writing Day: Memoir

Laying foundations for writing your memoir this year
Tutor
  • Kerri ní Dochartaigh
Date Friday April 25th 2025, 10:00 - 16:00 GMT
Location Online

Seamus Heaney wrote about the importance of ‘test[ing] out the scaffolding’ before we begin to build a structure, which ultimately allows us to have the trust we need to create. But what about the very, very beginnings – the seed moments of it all – the laying of our foundations? We grow, like tall oak trees, from very small acorns. And we grow best when our foundations are strong. Let’s lay those foundations for our memoir this winter. In this online writing day we will examine excerpts of writing that are sturdy enough to support the wholeness of a life, discovering in them ways that we ourselves might begin our task. We will find new ways to build safe, welcoming homes on the page – for our readers and ourselves alike – as we take the first steps towards sharing the story of our lives. We will touch on themes such as the body, the selves, memory, story, character, form, voice and ethics. Our experiences change us, and writing them does too. Both the process of writing a life, and of sharing it with others, holds the power to be a real gift to us, as well as to the world. It is, effectively, the laying of foundations for a structure that might then become a refuge for countless people we have never met. That’s what good memoir does: it makes us feel at home, safe in the story of another . . . Let’s begin.


Is this course for me?

Our one-day courses are aimed at anyone who is currently, or would like to begin, writing. They are regularly attended by writers who:

What will I gain?

How does it work?

All sessions of the day are delivered live via Zoom meetings, with the option of cameras off or on. We strongly encourage you to participate in the live sessions, but if you find yourself unable to attend on the day, it will be possible to watch the recordings of each session at any time over the course of the following month.

A detailed timetable is included below.

Why Arvon?

Arvon is a not-for-profit charity that has been running since 1968.

At Arvon, everyone who crosses the door of one of our writing houses is a writer – no matter what their age or writing experience – and all are welcome.

For more information About Arvon – Home of Creative Writing since 1968 – Arvon

Online: £90

Concessions: £63

As part of our effort to increase participation in the arts, a limited number of 30% concessions are available for this course at checkout, as well as two fully funded places for those who cannot afford the concession rate. To request a fully funded place please email grants@arvon.org

We are committed to making our Arvon at Home programme accessible to as many people as possible.

Across all of Arvon at Home

Masterclasses 

Online Writing Day

How I Write

Online Writing Weeks and Evening Courses

Subject to funding/permissions (please contact arvonathome@arvon.org for more details)

If you have any access issues that we have not covered here, please contact us on access@arvon.org

See here for more access information.

Timetable

On the Day

10-11.30 Morning workshop part one 

11.30-11.45 Tea break 

11.45-12.45  Morning workshop part two 

12.45-13.45 Lunch 

13.45-15.15 Afternoon workshop   

15.15-15.30 Tea break 

15.30-16.00 Final Q&A/next steps 

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