This is an SDG in which we will both write our stories and read those of others. The SDG is 12 weeks and will be limited to 12 Regular members, each acting as Discussion Leader for one of the 12 weeks. There will be no auditors. (We also want to give any associates who join us an opportunity to share their personal writing. We are still figuring out how to do this.)
Discussion Guides will be due 2 weeks prior to the Session being led. This deadline is important as there is prospectively a lot for people to do. The Guides will have 3 sections:
1. Every week the 2 Coordinators will assign a writing prompt, such as a memorable grandparent or job. Those who wish to do so, will be invited to write on this topic – roughly 2 double-spaced pages (5 or less minutes when read aloud) based on the prompt.
2. The Discussion Leader will select an accessible memoir, provide background material including a chapter or a few pages that can stand alone, in a machine-readable format, to the group, and state why the book was selected.
Reading more than the pages provided will be optional, except for, obviously the Discussion Leader.
3. The Discussion Leader will provide personal memoir material they wish to share and discuss with the group. (Anyone who does not wish to do this, should not be in this SDG.)
Each week, the Discussion Leader will cover these same 3 sections. The time allocated to each is at the discretion of the Discussion Leader, with the exception that all who wish to read what they wrote based on the writing prompt, may do so.
1. Have all members who wish to read what they wrote, do so. Discuss as you see fit.
2. Introduce and discuss your selected memoir.
3. Introduce and discuss your personal material.
There are no restrictions on the memoir you chose. It must be written in the first person and, a true, or purportedly true, story by the author. It may be about anything you like. Of you chose a shorter, easier to read book, odds are more will read it. But it is not required. A list of memoirs will be provided but you are not limited to the books on this list.
Your personal material may also cover any ground in your life that you wish. @gaon, no restrictions, no rules. However, consider the willingness of your fellow members to read anything too lengthy.
Weekly Topics (and bibliography):
As described above, details TBD by Discussion Leader.
Memoirs recommended by the Coordinators, Juanita Davis, and Dianne Hantos. You may select from this list, or not.
Educated: A Memoir. Tara Westover, 2022. (2 weeks)
Heavy: An American Memoir, Kiese Laymon. 2019.
About Alice. Calvin Trillin. 2006.
All the Way to the Tigers: A Memoir. Mary Morris, 2020.
An Unquiet Mind, Kay Redfield Jamison. 1995. (2 weeks)
Conundrum. Jan Morris. 2006.
A Year of the Hunter. Czeslaw Milosz. 1994.
Patrimony. Philip Roth. 1991
A Field Guide to Getting Lost. Rebecca Solnit. t2006.
Brother, I'm Dying. Edwidge Danticat. 2008.
Dime Store: A Writer's Life. 2017
Optional free resources online (there are many others):
Grief Interrupted: Writing My Father's Life
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305310992_Grief_Interrupted_Writing_My_Father's_Life
How to Tell Your Own Story
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/11/1186984114/how-to-tell-your-own-story
The Transformative Power of Memoir Writing
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-unedited-offspring/202401/the-transformative-power-of-memoir-writing
How To Write a Memoir
https://writers.com/how-to-write-a-memoir