Memoir Writing Workshop at MxCC Teaches Participants to Capture Life’s Moments

By Yvonne Page

Thursday, April 05, 2007

“People want to read something that connects to their lives. Therefore, your memoir should have an universality that people can relate to,” workshop facilitator, Alice Stelzer told participants at a recent memoir writing workshop entitled Turning Life Into Memoir, which was held at Middlesex Community College (MxCC) in honor of this year’s One Book, One Middletown selection, The Glass Castle, which is a memoir by Jeanette Walls.

The attendees, all eager to pen their own memoirs, participated in writing exercises and received valuable advice on how to unlock their memories and build them into a life story. The workshop was held as part of a community-wide effort to celebrate literacy. It was hosted by the MxCC President’s Committee on Diversity (PCOD) and facilitated by the Middletown Rotary Club.

The Glass Castle has been used in many classes at the college in addition to being the topic of several recent book discussions throughout the community.

For more information on the event and other One Book, One Middletown related events in collaboration with the college, please contact President Wilfredo Nieves at MxCC, 860-343-5701.

Caption reads: Workshop facilitator, Alice Stelzer (center) speaks to Middletown residents, Elizabeth Doolittle (right) and Mary Ann Hall at a recent memoir-writing workshop at MxCC.