Check out two excellent memoir writing workshops that are being offered this summer. Reservations can be made by emailing firefly@arvig.net or calling 218.862.5510.

“Memory as Discovery” on June 15-16, 2010 
(Register by June 1, 2010)

Writing is an act of discovery. Dive into your writing and find out what you know. The workshop is a place to write, share writing, discuss elements of craft, and connect with other writers. In addition to group learning, students meet with Kate individually to delve more deeply into their writing and learn to take risks on the page.

Presented by Kate Hopper – Kate, award-winning writer and teacher, teaches creative writing online and at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. Her writing has appeared in a number of journals and magazines, including The New York Times online. She is currently working on two books. Hopper writes about reading, writing, teaching and motherhood on her blog, Mother Words: Mothers Who Write. She is Literary Reflections co-editor at Literary Mama.

“Writing Your Personal Story” on August 10 – 11, 2010
(Register by July 27, 2010)

Learn important techniques for effective memoir writing as you engage in writing your own story. Mark will address issues that often arise during the course of memoir writing such as truth telling and narrative techniques, but the majority of the workshop will be devoted to generating, editing, sharing and responding to autobiographical writing.

Presented by Mark Vinz – Mark’s poems, stories, and essays have appeared in over 200 magazines and anthologies. He has won the New Rivers Press Minnesota Voices competition, the Milkweed Editions Seeing Double book competition, six PEN Syndicated Fiction awards, and three Minnesota Book Awards.  His most recent book of poems is Long Distance. Vinz recently retired after 39 years in the English department and MFA in Creative Writing program of Minnesota State University Moorhead. His memoir-writing workshop is built upon insights gained from years exercising his craft as well as teaching writing to students.

$175 course fee includes workbook, lunch and park day passes.  Participants will receive more information upon registration.

Workshops takes place at Glendalough State Park in the Historic Lodge.