News from Irene Graham

Memoir & Fiction Writing News from the desk of Irene G.

Truth – not silence, is golden.
Irene Graham

Hi Everyone, 

So a New Year rolls in, may it be peaceful for us all, and may it give us the time and energy to reflect on our memories and guide us forward in our writing and creative quests. 

Since the launch of The Memoir Writing Workbook and The Memoir Writing Club in May 2009, there are now dozens of Memoir Clubs mushrooming all over Ireland, in the USA, Canada, Australia and beyond. The feedback from clubs is incredible and so encouraging – memories from times past are being evoked and recalled as club members encourage and support each other in their writings.  Keep going – all of you. It is an important time in our lives, and it is really important that we document and record our heritage and culture for future generations. 

Since the launch of The Memoir Writing Workbook, I have been working hard on the development of my writing workshops so that they can reach a wider audience. With the aid of new technology, I can now tutor my memoir and fiction writing workshops interactively LIVE online.  It is a simple and easy process, and will support Memoir Writing Clubs and individuals all over the world – at the click of a button – no special programmes or complicated technologies are required. 

For further information on this exciting initiative, please visit my writing website: www.TheCreativeWritersWorkshop.com  

I have also been invited to present my work at a number of Writing Festivals throughout Ireland in 2010. Please visit the Memoir Workshops page on this website for details and how to apply for these workshops. 

Other events of this nature are planned throughout the year, so do keep in touch for forthcoming dates. 

So for now…I look forward to writing with you in person or LIVE online - keep on writing…make a date with yourself to write…and stick to it! 

Until soon…. 

 

Hi Everyone,

Important – Date Change:

Western Launch (Ireland) of The Memoir Writing Club and The Memoir Writing Workbook

Please note that the western launch of The Memoir Writing Club and The Memoir Writing Workbook will now take place on Wednesday 30 September 2009, at 6pm for 6:30pm. This initiative will be addressed by Lelia Doolan, life long initiator and supporter of arts and culture in Ireland. This celebration is being kindly hosted by Galway City Library, St. Augustine St, Galway City. (It was previously scheduled for 3 September).

Do make a note of this in your diary, come along, bring a friend and hear about this exciting initiative.

I look forward to meeting you at the launch.

Memoir Workshop: Memories into Memoir with Irene Graham

Workshop Opportunity!

As part of the western launch celebration of The Memoir Writing Club, from 2 to 5:30pm in Galway City Library on 30 September 2009 - 12 people will be invited to a Memories into Memoir workshop with Irene.

This workshop is specifically for participants interested in forming a Memoir Writing Club in their local area. The workshop will guide you through the significant elements of memoir writing and get you started on your personal memoir journey.

How to apply for a Workshop space:

A workshop fee is not applicable. Each participant requires a copy of The Memoir Writing Workbook – which will be used throughout the workshop.

Apply: Write in apx 60 words (300 characters) why you should be chosen to attend this workshop. Click here to send your application using our contact form (General Enquiries): You will be notified in advance of the workshop if your application has been successful. Thank you.

Do visit this website again real soon for all the Autumn Writing News and events!

Thank you, Irene

 

Hello Everyone, 

Summer cometh….at last, I hope it is good for all of us. 

There are lots of things happening on the writing front…. 

The Memoir Writing Workbook Launch:

The Memoir Writing Workbook and the initiative of The Memoir Writing Club was launched by Michael D Higgins TD on Wed 20 May, which was kindly hosted by The National Library of Ireland. What an incredible speech Michael D gave with regard to writing – his words were so encouraging, not only for me, but how as a nation we should embrace our abilities to write…and record our rich heritage and culture as we recall our memories.  The audience did not want him to stop…it was a remarkable speech. Thank you Michael D.  

Thank you to everyone that attended the launch. I know there were many there in spirit ~ I also know that a (wet) Wednesday night at 5:30 in Dublin is not always an easy place to be!  The workbook is selling well, memories are already being recorded - I am thrilled. And thank you to those that have already purchased the workbook, I am very excited as to where this adventure will lead…. 

The Memoir Writing Club and The National Library of Ireland:

In conjunction with the launch of The Memoir Writing Workbook, I also launched the initiative of The Memoir Writing Club – to encourage individuals to form Memoir Writing Clubs – similar to book clubs – to write and share their life stories together.  SO many people are already forming clubs - getting friends and family together, organizing their workbooks, ready to pick up the pen!  Current clubs of all types are re-grouping or re-organising their existing clubs – to support memoir writing.  The National Library of Ireland is very excited about this project. They want to represent the “memory” of Ireland – and are initiating a “Memoir Archive”.    

This in an incredible resource. I am truly honoured that The National Library has taken my vision on board and want to work with this project.  Everybody is blessed with a rich and powerful life journey – it is time we shared our journeys with others - so start writing! Let’s make this an incredible archive for future generations. Keep in touch with this website over the coming months for more information with regard to the “Memoir Archive” at The National Library of Ireland. 

The National Library of Ireland:

Memoir Writing Club – Wanted …….Exciting Opportunity!

The National Library of Ireland is offering space to an existing Writing Club – or even a group that is newly formed – to use the library on a weekly basis for a Memoir Writing Club.  How exciting!  Please get in touch with Sarah Shiel 01/6030346 or Email: ssheil”at”nli.ie at The National Library of Ireland for further information.  NOTE:  Clubs only – this is not an invitation to individuals to join a Memoir Writing Club - it is for existing or new clubs only.   

How to form or join a Memoir Writing Club:

The Memoir Writing Workbook outlines in depth how to form and guide a Memoir Writing Club. 

Every library in Ireland has now been notified with regard to The Memoir Writing Club concept. If you are interested in joining or forming a Memoir Writing Club in your local area – drop into your local Library and express your interest with them regarding the possibility of joining or forming a club – and how they may be able to help you. 

If you are currently a member of a social club – ask your fellow members if they are interested in forming a Memoir Writing Club. 

 

Workshop News:

Due to popular demand, we have included details of Irene’s Summer Fiction Writing Workshops with Adults and Young People, as well as details on forthcoming Memoir Writing Workshops with Irene. 

Fiction and Memoir Writing with Irene Graham

Fiction Writing:  Irene will be tutoring The Creative Writer’s Workshop – Fiction Writing – in Ballyvaughan, Co Clare and in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow in July.  There are just a few spaces available in each workshop, so if you are thinking of getting away to find your creative writing voice this summer as you learn the art of story creation – do get in contact soon.  Full Details:   www.theCreativeWritersWorkshop.com 

Fiction Writing: Workshops for Adults & Young People

August: Are you seeking a creative space to share with your teenager? This special workshop: Creativity & Creative Writing – Adult with a Teenager is designed especially for Adults & Teenagers to get in touch with their creativity as they learn the art of developing characters within story, while engaging with right-brain/left-brain learning techniques through the medium of writing.  This promises to be an exciting space for all attending.  Two spaces left.

August: The Creative Writer’s Workshop 10-13 Years

This popular summer workshop will take place in Kinvara, Co. Galway.

Two days of creativity and fun for this age group to learn how to write imaginative stories as they develop characters within story.  A great foundation in writing.  Spaces limited.

Full Details: www.TheCreativeWritersWorkshop.com 

Well that’s the news for now; this website will be updated on a regular basis – to bring you all the latest news and views in writing memoir. 

Until soon,

I hope the sun shines bright on us this month….

Keep writing! 

Hi There!

Thank you for visiting the website of The Memoir Writing Club and The Memoir Writing Workbook, I hope you return often and use this site as a support arm for all the latest news, information and tips about writing memoir.

The Memoir Writing Workbook and The Memoir Writing Club are receiving huge support with positive feedback from people all over the world. Thank you!

It is wonderful for me to finally see this book in print. Someone asked me recently how long it took to write this book – and my answer was 20 years! This is true. In 2007 I decided it was time to put my two decades of writing concepts down on paper – The Memoir Writing Workbook is the result.

Writing has been in my life since I was 15 years old. It is a joy to pass on the contents of The Memoir Writing Workbook to you. I hope it inspires you to write – and to continue doing so. I hope it provides each one of you with hours, days, weeks and months of writing fun. Writing is such a great pastime and a joy to share with others. Writing in a group offers many rewards – laughter, sharing life incidents, understanding, friendships, realisations and healing. It is powerful to share your writing with others – do not under-estimate the joy and confidence it affords.

I am very excited about the official launch of The Memoir Writing Club, kindly hosted by The National Library of Ireland in Dublin, in May. This launch is being held in conjunction with the Beltaine Festival – which celebrates creativity in older age. (Although we do not have to be several decades old to write our memoirs – we have memories from the time we can talk!)

There is currently a lot of work in progress to bring the initiative of The Memoir Writing Club to a wider audience. Groups, clubs, societies and associations of every variety are currently working to make memoir writing clubs available to their members. Individuals are getting together to form their own clubs. How wonderful! It is a true celebration and recognition of how important our life stories are – each and every one. Think of the history that will be recorded… the friendships formed and the memories shared.

We will update and upgrade this website on a regular basis, as demand requires. Time will dictate this journey as you turn your memories into memoir.

So do come back and visit us at The Memoir Writing Club website often. Tune into the latest news on memoir writing and read my regular news items.

Your writing journey starts here. Join the international movement of memoir writers now with The Memoir Writing Workbook!

Until soon,

Keep writing!