Memoir focus for writers’ workshop

EVER thought you might pen your memoirs?

Ballarat Writers are hosting journalist and author Jenny Valentish for a three-hour memoir-writing workshop this Saturday, 20 March.

The creator of Woman of Substances: A Journey into Addiction and Treatment, Valentish’s book was a contender for the Walkley Book Award. A new release is coming in 2021.

She recognises how scary the idea of writing a memoir can be, whether it’s in a digital form, on a blog, in an essay, for a book, or as a historical document for future generations to learn from.

“It can be daunting… because you’re stumped as to how to start, or perhaps you don’t know where would be a fitting point to end,” she said.

“Maybe the thing that’s always stopped you from writing your story, or a part of it, is you’re afraid of exposing yourself, or of upsetting other people.

“That can be paralysing, but there are ways around all of this. We’ll go deep into structure, prologues, ways of ordering things, themes as motifs, and weaving in research, if that’s your thing.”

Tone, voice, memory-jogging methods, and ways of tapping into people’s younger selves will be discussed, as well as strategies to sensitively write about friends and family, without upsetting them.

Ballarat Writers’ Jason Nahrung said the team is keen to learn from her knowledge.

“Jenny’s ability to confront and reveal truths close to the bone, with candour and dry humour, makes her an ideal tutor for writers grappling with their own life stories,” he said.

A published writer, Valentish was also the editor of Triple J’s J Mag, and Time Out Melbourne, has had by-lines in The Guardian and The Age, and contributes to the ABC.

The workshop will be held within Eastwood Leisure Centre’s training room one, from 12pm. Tickets are $90 for the general public, or $80 for members of Ballarat Writers. Visit bit.ly/38sMrDc.

Find out more about Valentish at jennyvalentish.com.