Making Meaning of Our Memories

I’m very excited to be at Interlochen for the 5th summer in a row and my 4th time teaching a course that is very near and dear to my heart: Making Meaning of Our Memories. This is a 4 1/2 day residential memoir writing retreat for writers of all levels and has proven, year after year, to culminate with a hugely moving participant reading on the last day, followed by what can lead to years of meaningful connection and continued work as writers. I was very excited to meet my new “students” (better known as adult participants) this afternoon and am sure we’ll have a full, intense, rewarding week. Last summer, I was treated to a classroom full of 16 women who bonded very quickly and uniquely. Although I miss that, I’m happy to have a bit more gender balance this year and it’s always neat when a married couple or returning participant signs up, too, for added layers of learning and conversation. 

Brad’s having the fishing vacation of his life while I’m working away, but evenings we have a sweet little cabin on the lake (courtesy Interlochen College of Creative Arts) and friends have pooled resources to help by loaning us a car and a kayak. Is it too much to hope for a little time to complete my own writing prompts and assignments throughout the week while I prep for teaching? We shall see…

Meantime, if you can’t make it to Interlochen for classes (or you tried to sign up and got put on the waiting list), please consider my Writer at Large Services. I’ve opened registration to my current students and extend that offer to readers of this blog post. In two weeks, I’ll make a broader media push, but there are limited spaces so please do reach out if you’d like to work together. And if you live locally, consider joining us for my free public reading this Wednesday, August 6th at 7:30pm in DeRoy Commons on Interlochen Campus.

Brad on the water.