Mary-Lou Weisman, bestselling author, personal essayist and memoir writer, offers an eight-session workshop for those who have had some experience in writing memoir and personal essay. The class is not a beginners' class. The goal is to foster a habit of writing, to briefly review the elements of good style and to help writers become their own best editors. Students will email their work to all class members at least two days before the next class so that they can edit their classmates' work. Those edits, plus Mary-Lou's, will be the main business of each class.
The eight sessions will be 1-2:45 pm in the Seminar room on the following dates: every other Tuesday, October 3, 17 & 31; November 14 & 28; December 12 & 19 (Note: this last class is only one week apart). To be sure that you are ready for this advanced eight-week course, Mary-Lou will review a sample. Please email about 500 words, no more than a two page, double-spaced sample of your memoir or personal essay writing to Jennifer Keller at jkeller@westportlibrary.org. It may take a week or so to review submissions. Class size is limited to 10. Fee, $15. Registration link will be sent after the review of your sample. Note: Because there is usually a waiting list, acceptance is contingent on your intention to attend all classes.
Weisman has written two memoirs (Intensive Care and Traveling While Married); a biography (Al Jaffee's Mad Life); and a bestselling humor book (My Middle-aged Baby Book.) As an adjunct professor, she has taught writing, both memoir and personal essay, at The New School, New York University, Manhattanville College, and at both Westport and Norwalk Continuing Education programs.