Marvellous Memoir Workshop in Toowoomba held on Saturday the 21st April. www.carmelrowley.com.au

Kathy Hoopmann and Carmel

What a super Saturday! Thirteen writer’s gathered at the Toowoomba Library all geared up to attend a workshop on ‘Writing a Memoir’ given by the highly credentialed Kathy Hoopmann, in conjunction with the Queensland Writers Centre. I’m personally thrilled to have the QWC www.qwc.asn.au back holding workshops for writers in Toowoomba, I thought it was an opportunity not to be missed.

From L-R Kathy, Dee, Carmel, Devin, and Emma

As most of you know I mainly write fiction but I feel it’s essential to push myself out of my comfort zone once and a while. As Kathy said, ‘using your personal stories in your writing can be uplifting, liberating and daunting all at once.’ And when I think about it, though I might write fiction  I’m still drawing on my personal life experiences when it comes to writing about the horses and behaviour. When the group shared their writing, a flood of memories rushed into my mind. For instance, how as children we would go and visit relatives and have to sleep in the car!  Then one in particular being, the one and only time I ever attempted to cook/roast a rabbit  –  it burst it’s bindings to lay on it’s back in the pan with it’s severed legs poking in the air. I was horrified!  We all laughed and laughed!  What a fantastic trip down memory lane.

Most of us have stories in us and this particular group was one of the most eclectic and delightful I have had the pleasure to meet. To name a few there was Dee a Marine Biologist who enthralled us with her stories about growing up in Italy. Devin originally from the USA drove up from Brisbane with her friend Johan, who was born in South Africa. There were four delightful lades from Warwick and Ken a poet from Pittworth. From Toowoomba there was only myself and the ever enlightening Emma McTaggart.

From L-R Carmel, Kathy, Devin, Johan

I came away, uplifted and enthusiastic knowing we should all at least try and leave a legacy for the future. The thing is, a memoir comes in many different forms. It’s more than just sharing stories. Memoirs can offer emotional support, a helping hand if your child, friend or family member is suffering from an illness or handicap. You can influence people and offer a fantastic reference or support to others. There are lots of reason to write what you know and what you’ve experienced and there are many ways to preserve our life experience, for example a journal or a book of pictures with captions.

Thanks so much Kathy for a super six hours and thank you to all thirteen of the participants you were all a joy to be around.

Visit Kathy’s website: http://www.kathyhoopmann.com/

Carmel and Emma

Emma wrote this in my notebook,  lovely words to share with you.
‘The preciousness of memories and the reward of that memory increases with time.’ Emma McTaggart