Add passion and pain to your memoir

Great memoirs are filled with beauty, pain and emotional truths, according to Armidale author and creative writing mentor Helena Pastor.

Helena will share advice on writing a gripping memoir when she holds a free Truth of Non-Fiction workshop at Armidale War Memorial Library on Saturday 15 September from 10am to 1pm.

“A memoir without heart doesn’t work,” she said.

“If you hold back when writing a memoir, your story will lack emotional truth and that leads to problems with focus and structure.”

She said the workshop is perfect for people who are excited about their written memoir but feel it lacks an edge of perfection.

“It’s also insightful for people who love to read and are interested in how truly memorable memoirs are created,” Helena said.

Helena is the author of Wild Boys—A Parent’s Story of Tough Love.

Her writing has attracted two Australian Society of Authors Mentorships, along with residencies at Varuna Writer’s House in Bundanon and the Booranga Writer’s Centre.

She has been teaching creative writing workshops to both beginners and more experienced writers since 2010, and co-hosts Relax & Write: Yoga and Writing Retreats for Women at Evans Head.

Helena completed a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of New England in 2016 and is a songwriter and lyricist.

The workshop is free but bookings are essential by emailing [email protected] or phoning 6770 3636 before Thursday 13 September at 5pm.

Published on 23 Aug 2018