Getting to the truth in your story is more than just uncovering facts. Let Susan help you discover how uncertainty, conjecture, and creative fabrication are necessary when shaping memories into meaningful memoir. This playful, stimulating workshop will expand your sense of what’s possible in memoir and might very well change the way you view your life. Everyone has memories to play with and truths to embroider, so writers of all levels will find inspiration, success, and welcome. Fiction writers are also invited, since you already know the value of a wild tale and a good lie.
A variety of lessons have been derived from her 20 years as the editor/publisher of Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narrative and teaching memoir to writers from ages 15 to 99. After lunch, you’ll be free to explore the beauty of Emandal, nap, or otherwise amuse yourself, with enough optional writing assignments to keep you as busy as you desire.
Additional Supplies Students Should Bring to the Workshop: You may compose on a laptop, but include a notebook and a favorite writing instrument.
Instructor Reviews
“Susan Bono is a wonderful writing workshop leader. Not only are her prompts evocative and original, but her way with students is warm, encouraging, and supportive. I write with Susan whenever I can.” – Jeanne Lupton, writer and cohost, Frank Bette Poetry Corner
“Susan Bono makes it safe for a person who has always wanted to write to put a toe in the water.” – Ginny Rorby, author of How to Speak Dolphin and other young adult novels. www.ginnyrorby.org
“I have only the highest praise for Susan Bono’s abilities as a leader, mentor, and teacher. She turns questions or comments relating to the writing process into valuable lessons. I always leave her classes feeling inspired.” – Margit Liesche, author of Triptych and other mysteries www.margitliesche.com
“An inspired coach and teacher, Susan coaxes true, deep, and revelatory work from her charges. Come ready to be gently persuaded and ardently supported in Susan’s workshop . . . and your writing will surprise you!” – Susan G. Duncan, poet
“Susan Bono is a thoughtful and enthusiastic teacher. Her writing workshop at Emandal was both inspiring and challenging—not only did we work on writing within our group, we had assignments to take with us on our treks through the trees. It was an absolute pleasure and I look forward to more in the future.” – Nancy Cherry, poet
“Susan Bono has a knack for a gentle and well-timed kick in the pants that will help you soar by leaps and bounds over creative obstacles. You’ll be astonished by what comes out of your pen while you are under her spell. Her ArtStay workshop is a great place to get going or get the cobwebs out of your writing.” – Susan Starbird, founding editor of Susan, the Magazine
About the Instructor
Susan Bono is a Northern California freelance editor and writing teacher who edited and published Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narrative in print and online from 1995—2015. Her work has appeared in print, online, onstage and on the radio. She currently serves the boards of theMendocino Coast Writers’ Conference and Petaluma Readers Theatre. She teaches writing workshops and edits the Noyo River Review. Her collection of essays, What Have We Here: Essays about Keeping House and Finding Home, was published in 2014. www.susanbono.com
Susan Bono is a Northern California freelance editor and writing teacher who edited and published Tiny Lights: A Journal of Personal Narrative in print and online from 1995—2015. Her work has appeared in print, online, onstage and on the radio. She currently serves the boards of the