The Gentle, Wild Art of Memoir Writing FALL SESSION 2020: We began hosting writing workshops on March 19, 2020, on ZOOM video conferencing technology. It has worked really well, and has opened up our reach. We are based 8 miles from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and are working with memoirists across the country now. No dawdling. Let’s get your memories onto the page?
GET ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2021 SESSION.
If you have an interest, let’s add your name to the list. Thursdays. There is a Morning session 10-Noon Eastern, and and an afternoon session 1-3pm Eastern. Starting date TBD. (Most likely the 14th)
Halloween to Solstice / Fall Session 2020 Oct-Nov-Dec – Private, On-going sessions on ZOOM
Classes are open to both men and women. The usual age range is 50 years and beyond, but younger people are welcome to start getting their stories onto paper. No writing experience necessary.
Thursday Mornings – 10AM – Noon Eastern. Oct. 29 through Dec. 17. 7 weeks. (no class on 11/24) $175.
Thursday Afternoons – (Memoir 101) 1-3PM Eastern. October 29 though December 17. 7 weeks (no class 11/26) $175. FULL/Waiting List
Contact Barbara with questions and to enroll. If you’d like to sign up for both classes, give a call, text or email and I can offer a discount.
Reserve your place:
Venmo: @MayfieldMediaLLC,
CashApp: $bjm2233 or by Paypal invoice.
Looking forward to working with you.
2021 SESSIONS will pick up in January. Dates TBD. Contact Barbara to be placed on the waiting list roster.
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ABOUT THE COURSE:
The Gentle, Wild Art of Memoir Writing — Life Stories Writing
Write your stories, one by one.
This is a six to eight-week curriculum which brings together grown-ups, ages 55 and up, who have lived to tell. We meet for two hours each week to study the craft of writing and to write, write, write life stories.
The process?
Memories are jogged in unique and creative ways.
Resistance and procrastination issues are addressed.
Writing blocks are gently dissolved.
Important aspects of the craft of writing are taught.
Students learn how to give and receive positive feedback and encouragement, and to develop a personal writing practice that works.
Methods of binding and presentation of the essays and short stories are addressed.
This memoir writing course was developed by Barbara Mayfield in 2014 and first offered at the Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central Branch. Twenty men and women, ages 55 to 87, wrote, read, and polished their stories. A few were professional writers, most were writing stories for the first time. Since then, sessions have been held at the Trails End Cafe, Main Line Art Center, the Narberth Bookshop, and at Barbara’s studio in Norristown. As of March 10th, we are meeting for class online using the ZOOM video conferencing program. It’s easy and it works.
No matter where you live, these sessions are available to you now. No more excuses. Darn!
Accolades:
“The range of voices in the class is amazing. The fact that everyone is writing so authentically is because of your safe container and gentle encouragement……you’ve got the special sauce!”—E.K. Villanova, PA
“The memoir course being given at the senior center (Free Library of Phila Senior Services) by Barbara Mayfield is the best program I have ever gone to at the library and I have gone to many wonderful ones at FLP since I was a small child. It is a miracle that for the first time, I am able to overcome writing blocks, to be able to both write and share aloud my writing.”—H.L., Philadelphia, PA
“I make my living as a storyteller, and I know my way around a narrative arc, character development, plot pacing, and creative blocks. But no artist every outgrows the need for structured learning situations and master teachers, like Barbara Mayfield…..Ms. Mayfield creates a safe structure where nothing is off limits, everybody is nudged toward the edge of their comfort zones, but nobody is pushed….”—Megan Hicks, Storyteller, Rose Valley, PA
Contact Barbara about enrolling in a course or to bring the course to your group via Zoom.
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*COMPLETED Thank you, Memoirists!
*An 8-week session begins February 25, 2020.
Tuesday Mornings 10 a.m. – Noon, at Trail’s End Cafe in Bala Cynwyd, PA.
This eight-week curriculum brings together grown-ups of any age who have lived to tell. We meet for 2 hours each week to study the craft of writing and to write, write, write our life stories.
During the 8 weeks, memories are jogged in unique and creative ways, resistance and procrastination issues are addressed, writing blocks are dissolved, and important aspects of the craft of writing are taught.
Students learn how to give and receive positive feedback and encouragement, and to develop a writing practice that works for them. This course will benefit writers at any level of skill & experience. Beginners are welcome. We will have a reserved room at the cafe, which is located in the historic Bala Train Station building. Coffee and cafe fare can be purchased.
Contact Barbara directly with questions and to enroll.
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Barbara Mayfield’s The Gentle, Wild Art of Memoir Writing Workshop presents:
Prompted to Write —a salon-style reading of memoir essays at the Trail’s End Cafe — POSTPONED. When the coast is clear, we will reschedule. Looking forward to seeing you then.
Sunday, April 5, 2020 1pm til about 2
Come out for a lovely Sunday afternoon to the cafe and hear stories and essays from 5 writers from the Workshop.
Stories about a grandmother’s crystal necklace, a 48-hour dog, coffee and wine, an auntie’s cape, Barbie’s Dreamhouse, a mother-in-law named Faye, expensive shoes, hair-do’s, a Confirmation name, Julia and Margaret from Ireland, and a bout of scarlet fever.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Beverages, food and snacks are available for purchase at the cafe.
TheTrailsEndCafe.com (484) 429-9514 In the Cynwyd Station, 375 Conshohocken State Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Contact Barbara at 505-231-4774 (mobile/text)
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