Join One of Our Writing Classes and Learn More Than Just How to Write

What makes you feel inspired?

This question is often at the heart of our writing classes.

During our first year at Turtle Creek, one inspiration has been the signs in our store – we all love quotes and sayings, and I (Gail) have been collecting them for several decades. One of my favorites is “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” (Maya Angelou) On visits to the store, another sign that stood out to me was “Home is where your story begins.”

In our memoir writing classes, we try to “fix” that “untold story” agony! People with the desire to write down either their own or their relatives’ stories gather around one of our coffee tables for a bit of instruction and cheerleading, and voila! Incredibly interesting tales start to flow forth from childhoods replete with recollections of daily life in another time.

We seem to laugh a lot, and new friendships begin during these sharing times. If members wish, we sometimes get into the mechanics of writing, but generally you’ll find us encouraging each other in finding the words and phrases to most clearly depict what we’re bringing to life from the past.

As each person shares what they've written for the week, questions from the rest of us help them develop their thoughts more fully. In addition, each participant has the option of receiving one-on-one help: I love being able to read the amazing life stories their memories hold!

2006 has seen two such classes, with one going on to become a more permanent writing gathering, and already in January 2007, we’ve begun another class. My world broadens with each new group; helping individuals create manuscripts which will be treasures for their children and grandchildren brings a special sense of fulfillment. These stories deserve to be told, and ought not to be lost to future generations. That’s what memoir writing at Turtle Creek is all about.

Other individuals have sought private consultations – working through a manuscript they’ve written, but always wanted to embellish or edit for content and mechanics. It can be very rewarding.

There’s no doubt in my mind that some of the work brought to Turtle Creek will find publishers: that’s exciting! It's satisfying to be able to offer this type of creative outlet with professional instruction in a low-key atmosphere. We hope many more stories will be written and shared in our little corner of the world.

Return from Writing Classes page to Home page.