Still Learning 5: Life’s Stories – Writing Your Memoirs

This course will take place on Nov. 7, 14, 21, and Dec. 5, 2025, in Mercer, 10:00 a.m.-noon, with Wendy Thiede and Macy Washow.

Perhaps, at some point, you have said to yourself, “this would make a good story.” Maybe your kids have asked you to write about your life. You meant to, but you were too busy, didn’t know where to start, or found the memory had slipped away. Maybe you think your life is too mundane to write about.

Does this sound familiar? If so, this class is for you. Everyone has stories. Memories waiting to be passed down to children and grandchildren. Some narratives may be of interest to a wider audience and worthy of publication.

Join instructors Wendy Thiede and Macy Washow as they explore the qualities of a good memoir. Learn techniques to delve into your past, sharpen memories, and write one memoir to be possibly included in a class book, to be discussed. Following the class, you should have the tools to continue writing additional memoirs on your own.

The course will consist of four sessions, each two hours long:

• Week 1: Introduction on what is a memoir, how is it different from an autobiography or a journal. Discuss purpose for writing their memoir, who is the audience, and what are the qualities of a good memoir. Participants will explore how to get started and participate in some memory stimulating exercises. Choose one memory and begin free writing. Assignment: readings, begin writing. Keep a memory journal containing memories as you think of them.
• Week 2: Discuss readings. What was good about them. What qualities do they contain. Share some memories. Discuss writing tips for improving your memoir. Types of organization. Assignment: Complete a rough draft of a short memoir without revising or worrying about how it sounds.
• Week 3: Editing and revising: Share and discuss how to improve your writing. Discuss good and bad examples. Assignment: Finish your story.
• Week 4: Share with the class. Is your memoir done or does it need more revision and polish?

Requirements: A notebook or laptop to bring to class. Students will be asked to read and discuss published memoirs, keep a memory journal and write one of their own. Students will be encouraged to include their story in a class book.

Instructors: Wendy Thiede , high school English teacher, retired. Former columnist for the Lakeland Times.
and
Macy Washow, retired nutrition and health educator. Has published poems in Wisconsin Poet’s Calendars, Museletter, Ariel Anthology, and various ekphrastic exhibits.

We recommend signing up at least two weeks ahead of class to ensure class fills and to prevent cancellation.

Online Registration: Scroll down to our Registration form to register online!
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Offline Registration: Download PDF Registration Form, complete and mail in with payment.

Registration Questions? Contact us or call (715) 862-2032 or (715) 476-2881.

Registration Issues/Troubleshooting: If you are registering with one email address for two or more people, please register each person individually (i.e. do not register all at once, but add students one at a time to checkout). If you continue to have difficulty or have another question, please contact us.

Course Cancellations: Students are encouraged to register at least 2 weeks before the beginning of any Fe University course. A course with less than 4 students 2 weeks before the start date may be cancelled at instructor/FeU discretion, with students’ registrations refunded. If you’re interested in a class, please sign up early! Thank you.

Student Cancellations: If a registered student cancels, registration can be refunded if requested 4 or more days before the course’s start date. We’re afraid cancellation requests made 3 or fewer days before the course’s start date are unable to be refunded.

This “Still Learning After All These Years” series course is priced at a discount, thanks to a generous grant from Bader Philanthropies Inc.