Activities at Atsitsa Bay, Greece

Writing a Memoir with Monique Roffey

Sat 1 - Sat 8 Jul 2023

Writing a Memoir: a short course with author and memoirist, Monique Roffey

If you have a strong true story to tell, and have been wondering how to start writing about it, this course is for you. I will introduce you to essential ideas and questions you must consider before starting to write a memoir. Through presentations, handouts, discussions and writing exercises, we will examine how to write about the truth, what decisions are necessary to make, issues around subjectivity and taboo material and the notion of bearing witness to true events. We will cover:

• What makes a good memoir and why write one?
• Truth telling, the problem of subjectivity and taboo material
• When are you ready to write? Capturing the right tone.
• The reflective voice, resonance. 
• Getting Started, fragments and sketches​

What's included?

Monique's course is held in Atsitsa Bay on Skyros island in Greece and is part of the wide range of courses and activities available. The holiday includes full board twin shared accommodation in an eco-hut. Single upgrades and twin shares in the house are available. Chat through the website, call +44 (0)1983 86 55 66 or email holidays@skyros.com to discuss your requirements. Find out more about this holiday here.

About Monique Roffey

Monique Roffey is an award-winning Trinidadian-born British writer. Her latest novel The Mermaid of Black Conch won the Costa Book of the Year, 2020. It is also shortlisted for the Goldsmith Prize 2020 and longlisted for the Rathbones/Folio Award. She is author of seven books, six novels and a memoir. The White Woman on the Green Bicycle was shortlisted for the Orange prize in 2010. In 2013, Archipelago won the OCM BOCAS Award for Caribbean Literature. She is Senior Lecturer on the MFA/MA in Creative Writing at Manchester Metropolitan University and has taught for Skyros for many years.