The Palm Springs Writers Guild has scheduled a three hour memoir writing workshop, "Facing Your Fear and Finding Your Voice," Saturday, March 17th. The instructor for the session is bestselling author, Wade Rouse. Rouse's humorous titles include At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream (Harmony 2009) and Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler (Harmony 2007). He also is the editor of I'm Not the Biggest Bitch in this Relationship, a collection of essays by and for dog lovers from Penguin Publishing (2011). A percentage of the book's proceeds will go to The Humane Society of the United States.
Rouse's articles have appeared in numerous national print publications and online publications and his work has been featured on public radio. He is a frequent lecturer on writing and has taught many workshops and retreats.
At the workshop, which will run 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at the University of California Riverside Palm Desert Center, 75-080 Frank Sinatra Drive at Cook Street, Rouse will teach memoirists how to find and free their authentic voice through written exercises, sharing, discussion and examples of what works and what dies on the page.
Rouse, who holds a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School, also plans to assist workshop participants in writing effective query letters. He will share some of his own letters to literary agents and those of other successful writers.
Patricia Ferrara, Vice President for Programs at the Guild, stressed that space is limited and area writers interested in participating should register soon on the organization's web site. The growing popularity of memoir as a genre for both writers and the reading public, coupled with the compelling, transformational approach of this lecturer could mean this event is sold out early. Fees are $30 for non-members and $20 for members. Questions about the program should be directed to programs.pswg@gmail.com.
Memoir is a literary genre based on personal observation and remembrance that differs from traditional autobiography in that it is more fluid and focused on personal growth.
Founded in 1977, The Palm Springs Writers Guild boasts nearly two hundred members. The organization offers frequent networking opportunities, workshops and critique groups for area writers, both published and soon-to-be published. The group holds monthly meetings from October to June. The meetings are open to the public.
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