Memorare
Tuesday, September 20 – Sunday, September 25, 2016
:: Led by Beverly Donofrio
Limited to 8 participants.
This is a five-day writing retreat for people already in the process of writing their memoirs. We will meet each day for three hours to discuss, review, and read our work to each other. Exercises may be given, depending on the group’s needs. The rest of the time is your own to write, read, contemplate, walk, pray. Structure can be the most difficult part of composing a book: how to craft the stories of your life into an engaging and dramatic whole. My intention is to help you see the forest (of your book) through the trees (of your experiences). I will meet with each of you individually to discuss how to further your writing. The idea is to create a sense of expansiveness, community, inspiration, and fun.
Beverly Donofrio has published three memoirs: her first, The New York Times bestseller, Riding in Cars with Boys, was made into a popular movie; her second, Looking for Mary was chosen as a Barnes and Noble Discover Book; and her latest, Astonished, is still collecting accolades. She has also published three children’s books. Her essays have appeared in many anthologies and periodicals, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Spirituality and Health, Oprah Magazine, Huffington Post and Slate. Her NPR documentaries can be heard through Sound Portraits. She has taught creative nonfiction workshops across the United States and is currently on the faculty of the low-residency MFA program at Wilkes University. Ms. Donofrio lives in Woodstock, NY, where she is writing the libretto to a musical based on Astonished. You can read or access some of her essays at her website, beverlydonofrio.com.
Cost: $575; deposit: $120