Course

This course explores one of the most essential elements of memoir writing: the transformation of the author into a compelling literary character. While memoir relies on lived experience, the craft lies in how the self is shaped on the page. Through close readings of memoirists, exercises, and discussion, you will learn to navigate the narrative distance between who you were then and who you are now, and to use that distance as a source of emotional depth, structure, and voice.

Faculty Bio

Mina Witteman is the author of seven middle grade novels, a Little Golden Book, and 40 short stories in anthologies and magazines. She is a longtime teacher of creative writing, trained and certified by Amsterdam University of Applied Science.

This is an In-Person Workshop

• Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 300, at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
• Classes will not be livestreamed nor recorded
• Limited to 18 members
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and ends on Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Classes meet for 6 weeks, 2 hours per session (10–noon)
• All course materials will be available in Member Dashboards through March 29

Member Praise for Mina Witteman

Excellent instruction and examples for us to improve our writing and editing of our manuscripts.

Mina is an engaging lecturer with very helpful content for writers. She had enlightening responses during question-and-answer periods in class. 

Everything worked well. The class was very well-paced, and the lessons built on each other.