Telling Stories: A Winter Writing Programme in Wellington

Life stories and memoir: Fiona Kidman will again lead a life writing course for those who want to record their own stories,or those of others, whether as personal record, a history to leave for family, or for potential publication. It is not confined to older people. Young people have histories too.

Participants don’t need previous writing experience, but reasonable literacy skills and an interest in reading would be useful starting points. You will be encouraged to explore the past in a constructive and creative way. As the writing of memoir, autobiography or biography often draws on the shape and structure of good fiction, in order to to construct an absorbing narrative, some basic fiction writing craft will be introduced. The course will provide a safe, supportive environment to explore life stories. Online support will be available to those working on extended projects.

The guest speakers are: Harry Ricketts, internationally acclaimed biographer of Rudyard Kipling (The Unforgiving Minute), Mary McCallum, author of best selling and award winning novel The Blue,  Craig Cliff, winner of Best First Book Commonwealth Fiction Prize ( A Man Melting), Julia Millen, historian, biographer and fiction writer, will discuss how to get the best use from research facilities and publisher Stephen Minchin will talk about publishing options.

The group meets on Saturdays twice a month from June through to August (8 June, 22 June, 6 July, 20 July, 3 August, 17 August), upstairs at the historic and comfortable Thistle Inn, Molesworth Street, Wellington. 9.30 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Go to www.fionakidman.co.nz for further information and an application form. For personal inquiries email fiona@fionakidman.co.nz (put words Writing Programme in header)