Please prepare for this workshop by reading Sallie Bingham’s Taken by the Shawnee.

The workshop will begin with a discussion of memoir; if you are working on one, you will have a chance to read five pages and discuss. We will consider the questions “how does memoir differ from historical fiction?” and “what value can knowledge of the history of a time and place add to these genres?” We will discuss Margaret Erskine’s brief account of her four years in a Shawnee camp and consider how research expands her memoir. Finally, using an example from your own experience, you will present a short biographical draft (under five pages) incorporating research-informed historical details to expand the subject’s time and place.

This class is suitable for intermediate levels.

Cancellation Policy:

The Carnegie Center reserves the right to cancel a class if minimum enrollment is not met. It is best to register early to help our instructors prepare and to ensure the class does not get cancelled. We evaluate registration numbers between 6 and 2 business days before a class starts to decide whether we can hold the class. Classes that do not meet minimum enrollment may be cancelled a minimum of two business days prior to the first class meeting. All participants will be notified by email and will receive full refunds.