Florence Add-on
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Jo has published 27 non-fiction books. She's a journalist, teacher, editor and publisher, and she mentors others to write and publish books and articles. She's lived in Dubai, Oman and Norway and is now in the Netherlands. This experience has made her the mentor and publisher of choice for countless expat writers. She has made her living out of writing about what she knows - and she loves to inspire and empower others to do the same.
Jo created her Start Writing Your Life Stories course in 2008 as the perfect first step for any writer wanting to develop the skills and confidence necessary to move into writing memoirs, non-fiction, articles or blogs. Her motto is 'sharing what I know to help others to grow'.
Jo advises: "Every writer needs to read and so, before the course every student should read at least three other published memoirs. I would like to recommend The Singing Warrior by Niamh Ni Bhroin, The Color of Water by James McBride, C'est La Folie by Michael Wright, any book by David Sedaris and maybe Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. I invite any student to contact me prior to the course by email to tell me a little of their own aspirations so that I might recommend other memoirs that would be of specific value.
"I do not want students to send me work in advance. Instead, I would like to offer all students a personal critique of up to 3,000 words that they can send to me by email within a month of the course's completion."
"I will also set up a personal 30 minute consultation with each student during the week at The Watermill, between the end of the afternoon session and dinner. Each morning session will last two and a half hours. Students will be expected to spend up to an hour working alone each afternoon on a piece of homework before reconvening for group feedback around 1630 hrs."
"Also, all students will receive a free copy of my How to Write Life Stories workbook, retailing at €97."
You can find out more about Jo on www.joparfitt.com
Itinerary
Saturday
Transportation from Pisa airport, settle in at mill and get to know each other..
Sunday am
Childhood. To kick off we will cover how to add the vital ingredient of SPICE to your life stories and the Seven Steps to Writing Life Story. Be inspired by other writers before moving on to write a story from your childhood for group sharing and feedback.
Sunday pm
All pieces from the morning session will be polished and shared during the afternoon and feedback will be given.
Monday am
Getting ideas and writing on a theme. Find out how to get heaps of great ideas today. Follow up with how to write on a theme. Be inspired by other writers before moving on to write a story from your childhood for group sharing and feedback.
Monday pm
All pieces from the morning session will be polished and shared during the afternoon and feedback will be given.
Tuesday am
A sense of place. How can you set the scene and give your stories atmosphere? Be inspired by other writers before moving on to write a piece with a strong sense of place for group sharing and feedback.
Tuesday pm
All pieces from the morning session will be polished and shared during the afternoon and feedback will be given.
Wednesday - excursion day (everyone goes to Lucca or the Cinque Terre)
A chance for us all to enjoy the stimulus of new, beautiful surroundings.
Thursday am
Writing about people. How can you characterize real people? How can you write (and punctuate!) plausible dialogue? This is the most vital ingredient of a memoir and today you will learn how to do so in a compelling and effective way. Be inspired by other writers before moving on to write a piece with a strong sense of place for group sharing and feedback.
Thursday pm
All pieces from the morning session will be polished and shared during the afternoon and feedback will be given.
Friday am
Writing humour and putting it all together. This will be a longer day. In the morning we will cover how to write humour effectively and will do the usual writing and feedback in class.
Friday pm
There will be no homework today, instead, the afternoon session will start earlier, at 3.30, so that we can cover the last piece in the puzzle – how to string your stories together into a compelling full length memoir packed with plot and pace.
Saturday am
Farewell breakfast and transport to Pisa airport.
Obviously, this isn't completely prescriptive - the format is likely to vary and change depending on the participants' needs. During the week I'll have one-to-one discussions with each of you to talk about your work and your aspirations.
Watermill Info