Humber Masterclasses

Finding Your Narrative Edge in Memoir

Kyo Maclear

5:30pm

Thursday, September 28

90 mins

Learn how to craft compelling stories and bring captivating characters to life through hands-on lessons from acclaimed authors and industry experts.

“Only when the infinite has edges am I capable of making art.” – Bernard Cooper

Memoir differs from autobiography or any ‘whole life’ retelling. In this 90-minute participatory workshop led by acclaimed author Kyo Maclear, we will look at how to find the narrative and thematic edge of your project. We’ll explore how a through-line or central defining theme can provide emotional momentum, and discuss the importance of narrative persona in pulling from the raw material of a life? (Vivian Gornick, The Situation and the Story). Through prompts and discussion, you will uncover the inherent theme or argument that motors your story and, ideally, leave with a loose map for your project. All writing levels welcome.

Presented by TIFA in partnership with the Humber School for Writers.

Workshop

How to attend

$49

Learn how to craft compelling stories and bring captivating characters to life through hands-on lessons from acclaimed authors and industry experts.

“Only when the infinite has edges am I capable of making art.” – Bernard Cooper

Presented by TIFA in partnership with the Humber School for Writers.

Humber School for Writers logo on a white background

Workshop

Featured Authors

Kyo Maclear

Kyo Maclear is an essayist, novelist, editor and children's author. Her books have been translated into 18 languages, published in over 25 countries. Her non-fiction books include the hybrid memoir Birds Art Life (2017), winner of the Trillium Book Award, and Unearthing (Knopf and Scribner, 2023). She teaches in the Creative Writing MFA program at the University of Guelph. kyomaclear.com kyomaclearkids.com