Because I did two different writing workshops last Thursday, I waited till this morning to report on the second of the two -- a memoir writing workshop at Montreal's Jewish Public Library, where I am writer-in-residence.
We were a small, but mighty group -- and as you can see from our pic, we had a lot of fun together. I'm also proud to tell you I made my four participants -- Shari, Eva, Dina-Malka and Rivka -- work hard. And while I'm feeling proud I should also tell you that Eva was once director of the Jewish Public Library!
We did a loosening-the-writing-muscles exercise and we also worked on mining a childhood memory in keeping with my view that memories are stories asking to be told! But mostly we batted around possible writing project ideas. That's because, and this isn't surprising, the four participants signed up because they're ready to embark on their own memoir-writing projects.
Shari has a lot of great ideas! Her in-laws were Holocaust survivors, and she's interested in sharing their stories. She also told us, "My husband is a great storyteller." I pointed out that the ability to recognize a great storyteller often means the person doing the recognizing is a storyteller too!
Eva shared that "Research is my favourite thing." Which is great, of course, but I also warned her that too much research can sometimes prevent us from getting started on our writing. The trick, of course, is to find the balance. Eva has led a fascinating life. Here's just one tidbit she shared: "I was at Churchill's funeral." Eva! Get going!
Dina-Malka asked me a brilliant question (for which I didn't have a brilliant answer): "Do most writers write memoirs because they have pain?" It's four days later, Dina-Malka, and I'm still pondering your question. The best answer I can come up with is: maybe, probably. But transforming something painful into something meaningful we can share... well, there's great consolation in that! During one of our exercises, Dina-Malka wrote a hauntingly beautiful line: "What the quiet child didn't say." Tell us more, Dina-Malka!!
Rivka joined us a few mintues late, but she added a lot of fun to our little group. When I gave my "class" (haha, can you tell I taught for 35 years and miss having a class?!) the loosening-up-the-writing-muscles exercise, she asked, "Why are we doing this?" And when we were discussing the word merry (that's what writers do when they get together: discuss words!), I said it's not a word we use often these days and Rivka said, "that's because we aren't merry any more!" Rivka has already begun working on a super-interesting project -- a writing workbook for people who have been orphaned. As Rivka explained: "A plant needs a container, earth, water and care. Children need parents, family and friends."
Next week I do one more writing workshop at the JPL -- that one's for high school students. So, lucky me, I get to meet another class! As for the writers I met at the JPL last Thursday, I'd say you four are already launched. Now you just have to keep your tush in the chair and write!!
Thanks to the JPL for hosting us, and to my four particpants for your beautiful work -- and great stories!