Denis Hirson
Memoir Writing, Part 1: An Introduction
How to watch
Summary
This four-part series of workshops is designed for anyone curious about exploring personal narrative, whether you’re just beginning or already immersed in the process.
In this 1st session, Denis Hirson explores the following: What exactly is a memoir? Why does memoir-writing feel particularly urgent in today’s world? How would you choose a subject worth writing about? How could you sustain a regular writing rhythm? Can you imagine a memoir of your own as an act of story-telling?
The first workshop is an introduction, followed by three others on the subjects of story-telling (in more detail), making use of memory, and structuring a memoir.
The first half of each session is devoted to a brief talk interwoven with readings from several relevant memoirs. Denis also guides participants through short, gentle writing exercises designed to spark creativity and build confidence —no preparation or sharing required.
The second half is devoted to questions, discussion, and reflections on writing as a practice, hopefully opening a space that refreshes and inspires.
Note: Please have several sheets of A4 paper available for each session, as also something to write with.
Book referenced for this first session:
Anna Akhmatova, Requiem Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals
No advance reading is necessary, though the books Denis references throughout the series are ones he finds especially valuable for anyone engaged in memoir writing.
Denis Hirson
Denis Hirson has lived in France since 1975, yet has remained true to the title of one of his prose poems, The long-distance South African. Most of his nine books, both poetry and prose, are concerned with the memory of the apartheid years in South Africa. Two of his previous titles, The House Next Door to Africa and I Remember King Kong (the Boxer) were South African bestsellers. Photo credit Adine Sagalyn.