From Memory to Memoir:

A Monthly Intensive

New Session Starting in January 2012

January 2012-December 2012

Santa Cruz, California

Dear Writers,

I’ve decided to offer a third yearlong memoir intensive for students who would like to learn the elements of memoir writing while making steady progress on their own memoirs.

We will meet once a month, for a full day, for twelve months. 

At each Saturday session, we will give focus on one specific aspect of memoir writing (setting, character, moving back and forth through time, the ethics of memoir writing, the use of scene and summary, developing a retrospective voice, creating an effective narrator, and other topics.)

The curriculum will be tailor-made to the group.

Topics will include (but not be limited to):

·      Understanding the role of scene, summary and musing

·      Incorporating dialogue in your memoir

·      Using research to deepen your memoir

·      How to write about things you don’t remember

·      Beginnings and endings

·      The role of revision in memoir writing

·      Using fictional techniques in memoir

·      Finding your story, finding your voice

Each student will bring an assignment, up to six pages, to the group for critique each month.

Each month, one student will volunteer to get their project workshopped in more depth.

As part of the curriculum, we will also read and study a different memoir each month.

The commitment to the Memoir Intensive is to the entire series, rather than to individual sessions.

Group Size: 8-12 writers

Location: Santa Cruz

Schedule: One Saturday every month, 10 AM to 5 PM

The commitment is to the entire series, rather than to individual sessions. Needing to miss one or two classes is acceptable, though of course, not preferable.

Group Size: Class size will be limited to 12 writers

Location: Santa Cruz, CA

NOTE: The 2012 Memoir Intensive is full...but if you'd like to be on the wait list for next year's program, you can This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 "Laura is a gifted writing teacher. Working with her has changed my relationship to writing, making my words more natural and spontaneous. I have begun to remember events from my past more completely and vividly than before. That has been a great gift for me."

--Linda Wright

“Working with Laura Davis, I found the perfect combination of direction, inspiration, permission, and community. With Laura’s guidance, I was able to discover and develop the writer inside of me who had been waiting in darkness my whole life for the support and safety to emerge.”

 ---Terresa Lauer 

2012 Dates:

January 7th

February 4th

March 3rd

April 14th

May 5th

June 2nd

July 14th

August 11th

September 8th

October 6th

November 3rd

December 1st

 "I love working with Laura. I use her prompts to write memoir that is healing and liberating. If I choose to read, I am witnessed and held by the group in my authenticity. There is no feedback, judgment, or opinion. I find the opportunity to reveal my personal history in this way rare, powerful, and of great psychological and emotional benefit. Laura participates fully and I find her a profound role model."

 --Cliff Haggerty

"I am so grateful to have you as my writing teacher. Without your keen instruction and astute instincts, writing would still be a vague yearning inside of me. Perhaps the most effective technique in your teaching bag of tricks is not a tool at all, but your steadfast willingness to fearlessly, beautifully put yourself on paper. The perfect original lesson of demonstration still tops them all."

--Nancy Miner

Cost: $1500.00 (you can pay in one lump sum or in a series of post-dated checks spread throughout the year). Early bird price of $1200 if you register by November 1st.

I hope you’ll consider joining us.

 In the spirit of healing,

Laura Davis
Contact me online or call at 831-464-9517.

I've watched Laura reach many different writers at their levels—offering just the right comment to help each writer discover something deeper about his or her process. Laura also offers so much of herself to her students—her life experiences, humor, writing practice, and expertise in the world of publishing. Having access to such a professional mentor is not an opportunity to be missed!”

For information on Laura's annual weeklong writing retreat, click here.

For information on Laura's weekly writing groups, click here.

To learn about Laura's editing and coaching services, click here.