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Memoir: Fact and Fiction, with Seth Rolbein

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Friday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. in person at the Wellfleet Library

April 22, 29, May 6, 13, 20


Memoir writing; the more you delve into the idea, the more fraught it becomes.


For example, we’re supposed to think of memoirs as “non-fiction,” but is that true? Selective memory is the only kind, and serving as your own witness, how credible can you possibly be?


Meanwhile, isn’t the idea of memoir by definition among the most egocentric, indulgent, fundamentally embarrassing pastimes imaginable? Why would someone other than the most famous and influential think that the progression of our makeshift lives is of fascination to strangers?


Yet memoirs have always been written, and the best of them are celebrated as the great literature they are. And in the end, every doubt and suspicion about the memoir form creeps into every writer’s thoughts in every form, which means that the same standards for success and merit come into play for every attempt.


This course explores the idea and philosophy of memoir, where it fits in literature and in a life. Basic questions explored include how writers choose to address content, how much “reliability” matters, the subjective voice, thinking about audience, motivation, and aspirations for impact – and of course the creative demands of good storytelling, whether the subject is this morning’s coffee or a trip to the Andromeda galaxy.


We’ll look at and discuss some interesting memoir examples, and also create an opportunity to share some of our own efforts, should we be brave enough.

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PO Box 711 South Wellfleet, MA 02663-0711


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The Open University of Wellfleet, MA a 501 c3,  aims to sustain and enrich intellectual life on the Outer Cape during the shoulder seasons. We offer courses to the public, for a modest fee, that celebrate the area's rich history and culture and draw on the talents and expertise of our residents. Our educational forum stresses collaborative learning, with lectures by instructors, directed discussions, readings and participant contributions. Our classes welcome participants from all over Cape Cod to some of Wellfleet's most charming and accessible locations.
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