Writing Your Own Story - Janisse Ray
Writing Your Own Story:
Memoir Workshop with Janisse Ray
Thursday-Sunday, June 8-11, 2017
Here is a rare and unique opportunity to spend a weekend writing with beloved author Janisse Ray and enjoying a retreat in the cool and ferny North Georgia mountains. The workshop will cover the basics of memoir and creative nonfiction writing, including personal narrative.
The workshop is for anyone who wants to write, from beginners to those who are well-published. Janisse will share her top secrets about writing and give you the information you need to pursue publishing, if that is what you intend to do, or simply to leave a legacy of stories for your children. She employs an exciting blend of teaching techniques, from writing prompts to brainstorming to one-on-ones. She includes lots of mini-lectures on
art & craft
shaping ideas into essays
thinking about a book-length work
agents & publishing & marketing
the writing life
avoiding dull narrative
Janisse teaches in such a way that the hard work of writing and learning to write is fun, forgiving, and freeing. She jam-packs the days with writing but peppers the learning sessions with stretches, walks, taste-testings, community-building, and laughing.
Give a weekend to your dreams. Learn how to transform your ideas into compelling, imaginative, useful, well-loved stories. Leave the mountains with inspiration, skills, and new perspectives that will feed your body, mind, and spirit.
SCHEDULE:
The workshop commences on Thursday evening, June 8, with a meet-and-greet and a warmup writing exercise. Wine and snacks are served.
Class hours on Friday and Saturday are 9-5. Evening activities will include an opportunity to eat dinner at Tiger Mountain Winery, as well as participate in a public reading.
On Sunday, June 11, the day starts at 9 and ends at 2.
REGISTER:
The cost of the workshop is $475 for residential attendees; $350 for non-residential attendees. This includes all activities, breakfasts, and lunches. Lodging is included in the residential cost. Breakfast and lunch is included for non-residential attendees.
All rooms are double occupancy with private baths. Because of this, coming with a friend is always nice, but entirely not necessary.
Space is limited so sign up early. Registration is now open.
Register by calling Becky Hoover at The Parker Ranch, 404-373-0566, or by email at becky@parkersranch.com.
ABOUT JANISSE:
Janisse Ray is the author of six books, including the acclaimed Ecology of a Cracker Childhood and most recently The Seed Underground, both of which have won numerous awards. She holds an MFA from the University of Montana and two honorary doctorates. Her work has been translated into French and Turkish. Janisse lives on an organic farm in southern Georgia where she is a seed saver, slow-food cook, tender of farm animals, gardener, and community organizer. In 2015 she was inducted into the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame. Themes in her work include the natural world and sustainability, although she also writes about history, place, and culture, deftly telling stories of the South and its people. She does not teach in the university setting and a chance to work with her is rare.