UNLOCKED MEMORIES:
Writing the Story of Your Life
with ALEC GILL and AUDREY DUNNE
Everyone has a book inside trying to get out. Each person's experience and memories
are unique in this universe. The pen is certainly mightier than the sword when it comes to
leaving some part of you for posterity to read about. "I Remember When..." has a
splendid tradition of sharing knowledge in a relaxed and enjoyable manner. Come along and
write your autobiography on this special writing course.
Individual memories are social history in action. We talk about events being 'within
living memory'. Drawing upon these personal events is both a therapeutic and creative
process. It benefits both the author and readers in different ways and for years to come.
Every autobiography will be different, but with self-criticism, tutor guidance and
group discussion, progress will be achieved in a highly interactive way. The class will
draw upon a variety of individual abilities through paired-learning and other exercises. A
network of interactive feedback will be established within the class for the benefit of
all.
WHERE ARE YOU NOW - with
I Remember When?
 | Reports to group from individuals as regards achievements, beginnings developments etc. with own writing. Summaries of personal writings. Where are they coming from? |
| HAND-OUTS |
| Learning objectives, again if appropriate. |
| NOTES FOR SESSION TWO & FUTURE SESSIONS |
| Tutor appraisal of work (initially) |
| Group interaction appraisal - paired feed-back (one-to-one). |
| Lonely process. Got to become independent. Not group dependence. |
| The group is only an initial process. |
| Week 2 - look at aims and objectives and discuss with group, eg. editorial board. |
| Week 3 - check with centre re student self-assessment forms. |
| Do we want a field trip? |
| The mechanics of writing - rejection, blocks etc - Alec. |
| see handout from Freelance Magazine on rejection |
| Week 4 - go through course evaluation questionnaire to see if still on track. |
| Reminiscence 'bubble' notes (Dilys Page). |
| Week 5 - make sure tutors are getting feedback (see Tutor's Report form). |
| Week 6 - Malcolm McKay, Design & D T Pub. Tel: 563532, 159 Wold Road. |
| Chris Ketchell, Valerie Woods, Howard Baker. |
| Interview Skills - One-to-one biographical approach (handout). |
| Week 7 - Group types (animal hand-out - Angela Brooke). |
| Week 8 - The Five Senses & Memory - Alec's hand-out. |
| Week 9 - look at end of term forms |
I REMEMBER WHEN
I
Form, self, ego, autobiography, role as writer, language, personal style, grammar,
feedback, lay-out.
Trying to see the wood for the trees. Stand back and look at own writing / life in a
detached way.
REMEMBER
Content, re-member, subjective reality, unique memories, changing perceptions of the
past, in relation to the 'now', recall, the five senses, places, people, things, family
photographs.
WHEN
Empirical, objective reality, specific, research, time & place, dates, historic
facts, family interviews, photographs, factual analysis. HISTORY: personal, family, local,
social, political, economic, war-time.
IRW. TITLES
| MAGIC MEMORIES |
| MEMORIES MAKETH MAN |
| MERRY-GO-AROUND OF MEMORIES |
| MEMORIES ARE MADE OF YOU |
| MEMORY LANE |
| i COULD WRITE A BOOK |
| JOTTING YOUR LIFE AWAY |
| MEMORY LANE RE-VISITED |
| JOTTING DOWN MEMORY LANE |
| JOT YOUR LIFE AWAY |
| JOT DOWN YOUR LIFE |
| TAKE-AWAY MEMORIES |
| MEMENTO OF THE MIND |
| WE ARE OUR MEMORIES |
| A REMINISCENCE WRITING COURSE / WEEKEND |
| MEMORY is the diary we all carry about with us Oscar Wilde |
| PIRATES WHO PLUNDER THE PAST: |
This class is unique within the University. IRW embodies the true spirit of Adult Education. And the way in which it does this
is through it swash-buckling rule-breaking approach.
We are the Pirates of the Past.
But the only plunder we do are of our own memories. And any treasures we find we
share with others through the spoken and written word.
I look around this and previous IRW groups and anyone can see what a motley crew
we are
in this class.
You lead such reckless lives and you are rich in bountiful experience. And that make
me your captain - a mini-version of Long John Silver...