Your Story Matters . . .

Memoir writing workshop with Samantha Clark

Do you feel the itch to write your story but think nobody will be interested in reading it? Would you like to write about your life and experiences but don’t feel qualified? Are you disheartened and struggling to finish a memoir you started years ago? Are you writing a memoir that’s grown out of control so you can no longer see a way forward?

There may be help at hand to get started – or to progress with a work already begun. This month The George Mackay Brown Fellowship will host a memoir writing workshop with Samantha Clark, a visual artist, award-winning writer and creative coach based in Orkney.

Samantha knows what it is to struggle with this sort of writing. Her own memoir, The Clearing, was published by Little, Brown in March 2020. It garnered high praise from reviewers, but she says ‘It took me more than twelve years to write those 185 pages.’ She admits it didn’t have to take that long. 

So to smooth your writing path, she will discuss some common mistakes and misconceptions about memoir, as well as how to make a story compelling and get to the heart of what it is really about.

‘Writing a book based on your own knowledge and experiences is a daunting challenge,’ she says. ‘But it will also be one of the most life-changing, clarifying, heart-opening and personally rewarding things you will ever do. Your story matters. And you’re the only one who can tell it.’

The workshop will consist of a 30-minute slide talk followed by writing prompts and time for questions and answers. It will take place on Zoom and is free of charge but places are limited. Participants can choose one of two sessions: Tuesday 21 March 7.00-8.30pm or Thursday 23 March 2.00-3.30pm. To sign up, email gmbfellows@gmail.com stating which session you would like to attend.