From Memory to Memoir:

A Monthly Intensive

New Session Starting in May 2010

May 2010 -- April 2011

Santa Cruz, California

Dear Writers,

I’ve decided to offer a second yearlong memoir intensive for students who would like to learn the elements of memoir writing while making steady progress on their own memoirs.

We will meet once a month, for a full day, for twelve months. 

At each Saturday session, we will give focus on one specific aspect of memoir writing (setting, character, moving back and forth through time, the ethics of memoir writing, the use of scene and summary, developing a retrospective voice, creating an effective narrator, and other topics.)

The curriculum will be tailor-made to the group.

Topics will include (but not be limited to):

·      Understanding the role of scene, summary and musing

·      Incorporating dialogue in your memoir

·      Using research to deepen your memoir

·      How to write about things you don’t remember

·      Beginnings and endings

·      Working with flashbacks

·      The role of revision in memoir writing

·      Using fictional techniques in memoir

·      Finding your story, finding your voice

Each student will bring an assignment, up to six pages, to the group for critique each month.

Each month, one student will volunteer to get their project workshopped in more depth.

As part of the curriculum, we will also read and study a different memoir each month.

The commitment to the Memoir Intensive is to the entire series, rather than to individual sessions.

Group Size: 8-12 writers

Location: Santa Cruz

Schedule: The second Saturday of every month, 10 AM to 6 PM

The commitment is to the entire series, rather than to individual sessions. Needing to miss one or two classes is acceptable, though of course, not preferable.

Group Size: Class size will be limited to 12 writers

Location: Santa Cruz, CA

 "Laura is a gifted writing teacher. Working with her has changed my relationship to writing, making my words more natural and spontaneous. I have begun to remember events from my past more completely and vividly than before. That has been a great gift for me."

--Linda Wright

“Working with Laura Davis, I found the perfect combination of direction, inspiration, permission, and community. With Laura’s guidance, I was able to discover and develop the writer inside of me who had been waiting in darkness my whole life for the support and safety to emerge.”

 ---Terresa Lauer 

 2009-2010 Dates

May 8, 2010

 "I love working with Laura. I use her prompts to write memoir that is healing and liberating. If I choose to read, I am witnessed and held by the group in my authenticity. There is no feedback, judgment, or opinion. I find the opportunity to reveal my personal history in this way rare, powerful, and of great psychological and emotional benefit. Laura participates fully and I find her a profound role model."

 --Cliff Haggerty

"I am so grateful to have you as my writing teacher. Without your keen instruction and astute instincts, writing would still be a vague yearning inside of me. Perhaps the most effective technique in your teaching bag of tricks is not a tool at all, but your steadfast willingness to fearlessly, beautifully put yourself on paper. The perfect original lesson of demonstration still tops them all."

--Nancy Miner

Cost: $1500.00 (you can pay in one lump sum or in a series of post-dated checks).

I hope you’ll consider joining us.

To download a registration form, you can click here:

 In the spirit of healing,

Laura Davis
Contact me online or call at 831-464-9517.

I've watched Laura reach many different writers at their levels—offering just the right comment to help each writer discover something deeper about his or her process. Laura also offers so much of herself to her students—her life experiences, humor, writing practice, and expertise in the world of publishing. Having access to such a professional mentor is not an opportunity to be missed!”

 For information on Laura's annual weeklong writing retreat, click here.

For information on Laura's weekly writing groups, click here.

To learn about Laura's editing and coaching services, click here.