tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post8034950229250035596..comments2018-03-18T02:11:19.558+01:00Comments on Amsterdam Writing Workshops: Writing MemoirAmsterdam Writing Workshopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13274627996897086901noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-35579679428582382412015-03-17T14:18:13.244+01:002015-03-17T14:18:13.244+01:00“I learned so much from listening to other people’...“I learned so much from listening to other people’s questions and observations—as well as their work. The anonymity was a comfort given the personal nature of what I shared. It's interesting to hear if the emotion wrapped up in the writing actually transmits to the audience.<br /> <br />I would have spent a week in that room. It was a really lovely learning experience.”Noreennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-67243551517450988182015-03-17T14:15:24.260+01:002015-03-17T14:15:24.260+01:00“The other memoirists were inspiring, open, and ha...“The other memoirists were inspiring, open, and hardworking. I loved that there was such a diverse group of writers in terms of age and life experience. <br /> <br />I have to admit that I was nervous about others hearing my work. I so appreciated the total anonymity. I also appreciated the extent to which the instructor controlled the feedback. <br /><br />I came away energized and ready to write more. I think that’s the highest compliment one can give to a writing workshop.”Suzannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-20893503447688387472015-03-17T14:13:49.874+01:002015-03-17T14:13:49.874+01:00“Thank you for wonderful, inspiring and profession...“Thank you for wonderful, inspiring and professional weekend. I learned more about form, and structure, what works and what doesn't, and how to write for a reader's experience. The method offered for getting from prompts to words on a page to a digitized first draft was also very valuable. It simplified what can feel like an overwhelming task into a step-by-step process, without becoming linear or prescriptive.<br /> <br />It felt motivating, encouraging and meaningful to be with other memoirists. We co-created a powerful atmosphere of intimacy, anonymity and safety.<br /> <br />The instructor's teaching method is powerful and professional. Her memoir workshop offers just the right balance of creative encouragement and literary instruction, so that writers of all levels— beginner to well-seasoned—could delve into personal material with confidence. In just two days, a collection of provocative and moving works were created.”Robbynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-65996585242760029372015-03-17T14:10:19.074+01:002015-03-17T14:10:19.074+01:00“So much fun to hear all of the stories, as it alw...“So much fun to hear all of the stories, as it always is with the Amsterdam Writing Workshops. Love the international perspectives.<br /><br />In terms of writing memoir, my goal is to align my story with the examples set by Mary Karr and Kay Gibbons: no self-pity, no melodrama, and, most importantly, writing a universal story despite its unfortunate uniqueness.”Susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-66397210006466511002015-03-17T14:09:04.166+01:002015-03-17T14:09:04.166+01:00“I'm one of those writers who’s addicted to st...“I'm one of those writers who’s addicted to structure, and I wanted to know more about how to structure a memoir—which I learned at this workshop.<br /> <br />Sharing personal experiences with other people – all of whom you’ve just met for the first time – is a real ice-breaker of an approach. It allows you to get to know those people better—and learn from them, as well.”Paolonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-30989616501552933482014-09-02T14:19:47.340+02:002014-09-02T14:19:47.340+02:00“This past weekend was an extraordinary experience...“This past weekend was an extraordinary experience for me. Although I had participated in the “Writing a Memoir” workshop before, I had a significantly more relaxed, more creative experience. The structure of this workshop really worked for me and I felt a clear direction towards a personal essay during the entire first day. I really appreciated the consideration of the important components of a personal essay and I thoroughly enjoyed diving into the essays of professionals. What I ended up writing about was something I have never shared before and that was quite a liberating experience. I felt incredibly strengthened and committed to continuing my journey as a writer. Thank you so much for inspiring me to write and thereby fueling my passion for writing. From the first workshop to the fifth, I have become stronger and stronger and more and more interested in the craft of writing.”Ninanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-87486252235602617402014-09-02T14:14:34.938+02:002014-09-02T14:14:34.938+02:00“I discovered that it’s not always the topic of th...“I discovered that it’s not always the topic of the literature that moves me, it’s the style of writing… The workshop was great fun and very inspiring.”Inanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-3446706401927037382014-09-02T14:13:56.102+02:002014-09-02T14:13:56.102+02:00“I learned about different structures for an essay... “I learned about different structures for an essay—and about some authors I would like to read more of. The instructor has obviously been doing this for a long time. She was very well prepared. She respected everyone's comments and input. Everyone's piece was given in-depth analysis.”Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-48104039449908498622014-09-02T14:12:10.966+02:002014-09-02T14:12:10.966+02:00“I learned different structures for essays. With a...“I learned different structures for essays. With a defined structure in mind, it is easier to scale a short personal essay to a longer one. When I wrote my essay this time, the feeling of flow was great. Am I planning to con-tinue writing personal essays? Definitely, but in Chinese.”Sunnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-151195289575615462014-09-02T14:11:31.462+02:002014-09-02T14:11:31.462+02:00“I learned:
- How to identify and use the key elem...“I learned:<br />- How to identify and use the key elements that make a personal essay<br />- How to finish an essay<br />I had already taken this class before, but each time, I find myself learning new techniques and improving on what I already know. Great group of people, useful comments and suggestions. A safe and nurturing environment for writers.”Isabellanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-11591072908688424662014-09-02T14:10:05.958+02:002014-09-02T14:10:05.958+02:00“I learned not hold back and to reveal myself free...“I learned not hold back and to reveal myself freely. <br />I learned to make my experience universal.<br />I learned to structure my writing.”Rainanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-42114843752223899432014-09-02T13:42:26.902+02:002014-09-02T13:42:26.902+02:00“I learned, for the very first time, the different...“I learned, for the very first time, the different ways of structuring an es-say. The way the essays were presented helped me discover my preferred essay style. I am going to expand on what i started this weekend and see where it takes me. This workshop was just what i needed to start me on writing again.”Dorothynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-15872666012542806732014-09-02T13:41:32.784+02:002014-09-02T13:41:32.784+02:00“Taking the course a second time helped me discove...“Taking the course a second time helped me discover how much I've learned—and to be even happier with the outcome of the essay from this workshop.<br /><br />What a fantastic group of writers in this workshop. Great energy, great dy-namics and great writing. I also found it particularly useful to focus on analyzing the published essays as a learning tool.”<br />Samirnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-45675133381251381722014-09-02T13:40:58.089+02:002014-09-02T13:40:58.089+02:00“I learned plenty of actionable techniques for str...“I learned plenty of actionable techniques for structuring an essay and producing prompts…It was cathartic to write something new…I feel like for the first time in a long time, I did something for me and helped advance my craft.”Angelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-61275790897367321482013-06-16T13:40:56.580+02:002013-06-16T13:40:56.580+02:00“I learned the value of a talisman and am eager to...“I learned the value of a talisman and am eager to find some of my own. I learned that it's not the end of the world if I write something I don't like. I learned that it is possible to become engaged in working on a specific piece, write briefly, take a break from it, and return again to become equally engaged in the writing of that specific piece. I also learned there is value in this process and that it gives new insight, new phrases, new direction that might be beneficial to the piece. I learned that writing a personal essay is satisfyingly exhausting.”<br /><br />“Receiving live feedback actually motivated me to write more.”<br />Ninanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-68344028123823914342013-06-16T13:31:20.478+02:002013-06-16T13:31:20.478+02:00“On a very practical level, I learned different wa...“On a very practical level, I learned different ways of structuring a personal essay and many literary techniques for giving life to the essay. Besides that, I now have a simple check-list that will help me to finish my personal essays in the future.”<br /><br />“I really felt the joy of writing and the concentration of the group helped to get into the flow.”Camelianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-50776581874245373822013-06-16T13:29:41.671+02:002013-06-16T13:29:41.671+02:00“I learnt how to start a piece that you’re not abs...“I learnt how to start a piece that you’re not absolutely confident about - and finish it.”<br /> <br />“I liked that we discussed techniques and were able to work with them immediately.”<br />Henriettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-69371308966530061632013-06-16T13:28:42.829+02:002013-06-16T13:28:42.829+02:00“I learned to re-engage with my writing.”
“People...“I learned to re-engage with my writing.”<br /><br />“People were very positive, enthusiastic.” <br /><br />Sandranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-71947018517284826772013-06-16T13:27:18.386+02:002013-06-16T13:27:18.386+02:00“I learned 4 organising principles for writing a p...“I learned 4 organising principles for writing a personal essay. I was reminded how important it is to get back to writing every day.<br /><br />I was attracted to the workshop both because I wanted to know more about essay writing but also by the emphasis on completing a piece of work. That really inspired me and I'm so pleased that I completed it.<br /><br />Hearing other peoples' work and discussing it is a great way to learn.” <br />Jillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-19669650483299018372013-06-10T16:41:15.221+02:002013-06-10T16:41:15.221+02:00“I learned at least three new techniques that will...“I learned at least three new techniques that will help me to continue to write and be productive.”<br /><br />“The workshop was focused, informative, entertaining, hilarious, engaging, fair, provocative, encouraging, professional, protective, positive...off the top of my head.”Tammienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-43376764695134627752011-03-01T09:10:54.263+01:002011-03-01T09:10:54.263+01:00“As a reader, I seldom read essays but I now have ...“As a reader, I seldom read essays but I now have more appreciation of the form. I learned, among other things, how to use memory as a writing prompt and the neccessity of staying focused on one theme.”Shelleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-53437944574913400832011-03-01T09:10:18.347+01:002011-03-01T09:10:18.347+01:00“The workshop helped me to get fired up and rewrit...“The workshop helped me to get fired up and rewrite the story in my mother tongue. And the story came to me, beautiful and inspiring.”Milenanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-38217950741979258262011-03-01T09:09:26.469+01:002011-03-01T09:09:26.469+01:00“Thank you once again for the fabulous workshop. ...“Thank you once again for the fabulous workshop. I learnt a lot and - perhaps most importantly - was inspired to keep writing. I think that writing a personal essay is the perfect way for any writer to (re)examine their style, direction and ultimate writing objective. It is amazing how much you can get on paper in just two sessions!”Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-64892036003636745442011-03-01T09:08:28.143+01:002011-03-01T09:08:28.143+01:00“What do I think of the personal essay as a form? ...“What do I think of the personal essay as a form? It's short enough to motivate you to finish the job, long enough to convey a message. The essay helps you realize that there's more than one way to spread your writing wings. Thanks for the tool-kit and insights.”Flornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6368187340502811692.post-11837318172436099322010-04-30T14:21:20.736+02:002010-04-30T14:21:20.736+02:00"What did I gain from the class? Useful way t..."What did I gain from the class? Useful way to structure a personal essay; an excellent packet of reading materials that I can always dip into for inspiration; and the knowledge that I should read more Joan Didion."Shelleynoreply@blogger.com