Joyce has conducted workshops and short presentations on memoir writing to

• Teacher groups
• Employee groups
• Church groups
• Writer groups of all ages
• Women’s groups
• National conferences

A popular, vivacious and entertaining workshop leader and presenter, she regularly receives outstanding evaluations from participants and comments that include such accolades as:

“The memoir writing class was a great adventure. It was so much more than I expected. Sharing old memories with new friends was a vitalizing experience. Thank you for inspiring us and managing to keep order without bruising egos.”

“I can't believe we're finishing our workshop today. Time has flown by…Thank you, thank you.”

“I now have the momentum to continue my family's stories, reviving those that wouldn't be told had you not encouraged me to keep them going. My personal memoirs are special to me, for by reliving those special times, recalling them with my five senses, I have my family back with me in such a real way.”

To book Joyce for your organization, e-mail her at:

Joyce.M.Boatright@nhmccd.edu

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WORKSHOP TOPICS:

Writing from Memory
This is a structured class with in-class writing and at-home assignments to help participants produce stories from their remembered lives. Specific themes will be explored: Home, Family Time, Role Models, Courtship, Work, and Choices. The facilitator will gently guide writers through list making and writing exercises designed to spark memories. The course is designed to meet 2 hours weekly for 8 weeks.

From Memory to Memoir
What are the basics of getting started in memoir writing? Does it take any special skills? (Does grammar count against you?) Besides answering these questions, this presentation helps you get started, get organized and get your story—your life’s adventure—on paper. Participants will play “Luck of the Draw,” an inventive game to encourage your creative muse to come out and play. Everyone will have at least one personal story by the end of the session, and a list of memories to craft into family stories later. This is a 90 minute presentation.

Penning Love Letters
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…” The most treasured gift you can give someone you love is a letter that is penned in your own scrawling handwriting about the love that’s in your heart. This presentation will give you the words you need so that you can express what you truly feel, whether for your spouse, your child, your best friend, your parent—for whomever you hold dear. We’ll also talk about presentation and preservation of love letters, so that your heartfelt words will last forever (or at least a century or two).  This is a 45 minute presentation. (Optional:  30 minute workshop can be added, if desired.)

Involving Children in Family Storytelling
Can your children or grandchildren pass a family history quiz? This presentation includes imaginative activities you can provide your youngsters to encourage family storytelling and story preservation. This is a 45 minute presentation.

Blogging through Life
The world is getting smaller—we share a global community through the “world wide web” (www) of the Internet. A blog is a journal you keep on the Internet. You can offer your writing to the whole world to learn from your experiences and insight, or you can have it “password protected” so that you control who gains entry into your corner of space. The presenter has two blogs and shares simple steps for getting started. This is a 45 minute presentation.

Working Life:  A Woman’s Perspective
There is an old saying: A man works from sun to sun, but a woman’s job is never done.” This workshop looks at all the jobs women