Memories, “abiding images,” family stories, reflections on the relationship between our current experiences and our lives today: these are the raw material for memoir. Join Writer-in-Residence Pauletta Hansel as she leads a workshop 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, via Zoom.
In this virtual workshop, teen and adult participants are prompted to write freely about meaningful memories and/or family stories, and then offered craft and revision activities to help develop those stories into engaging and insightful creative nonfiction pieces. Register in advance to receive the Zoom invite at cinlib.org/WIRjan22memoir
“Sometimes people believe that you have to have led an extraordinary life to write memoir,” said Hansel. “But really, each of our lives is extraordinary in its own way, and each story from each person tells us more about what it means to be human—and that is what literature offers both readers and writers, an opportunity to enter other lives, and discover more about our own.”
Watch former WIR Dani McClain interview Hansel at chpl.org/blogs/post/bonus-episode-with-pauletta-hansel/.
The Writer-in-Residence serves as the Library's literary ambassador to the community by fostering engagement between the Library and local writers; providing instruction on the craft of writing, both online and in person; and serving as the Library’s representative in the local literary arts scene.
ABOUT PAULETTA HANSEL: She is a poet, memoirist, teacher, editor, and the author of nine poetry collections including her newest book, Heartbreak Tree, coming in 2022. She served as the first poet laureate of Cincinnati from April 2016 through March 2018. She received her M.F.A. from Queens University of Charlotte and an M.Ed. from Xavier University. Originally from Appalachian Kentucky, Pauletta has lived in Cincinnati since 1979. She resides in Paddock Hills. To learn more about all the literary publications and community activities she’s involved in, go to CincinnatiLibrary.org/writer-in-residence.
