Cindy La Ferle’s Home Officea window on the writing life

Workshops

Cindy on February 27th, 2007

I’m passionate about creativity and discovering beauty in everyday moments. I believe sharing our stories can be a tool for healing and self-discovery. My workshops provide a safe space in which students can rediscover their creative passions, record their own life stories, and learn how to earn a byline if they want to pursue publication. My mission is to celebrate the writer in everyone. — Cindy La Ferle

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This spring at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center

Getting Personal: Writing Memoirs & Personal Essays

“Writing memoir is a way to figure out who you used to be and how you got to be who you are.” — Abigail Thomas

Whether your goal is to write for personal pleasure or publication, this three-week intensive workshop will help you conquer your fear of self-expression. You’ll learn how to craft your life experiences into marketable short essays for magazines or chapters for your own memoir. The first class will include an in-depth discussion on what makes a compelling personal essay, plus in-class writing time. Using examples from my book of personal essays, Writing Home, I’ll also share the secrets of marketing short essays to a variety of media. New writers are welcome — as are students who’ve taken my classes before and want to push their writing to the next level. We will have plenty of writing and discussion time in class.  Please bring a pen and a notebook, plus two or three photos depicting special events or people in your life. Class size is limited.  For a catalog and advance registration info, please call the BBAC: 248-644-0866

Three Tuesdays: May/4, May/11, May/18 | 6:30 PM – 9 PM | 3 SESSIONS

$95 BBAC MEMBERS | $105 GUESTS

Please revisit this page for updates soon.

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A brief bio on my writing and teaching experience

After earning my degree in English from Michigan State University in 1977, I tried on several editorial and literary hats. I’ve worked as a research assistant for a reference book publisher, traveled miles of back roads as editor of a country inn magazine, reviewed books and plays, reported on everything from hamburger joints to circus performers for my local newspaper, and even published haiku in The Christian Science Monitor.

A freelance journalist since 1984, I’ve published award-winning essays and columns in more than 60 national magazines, newspapers, and anthologies, from The Detroit Free Press to Reader’s Digest.  My essay collection, Writing Home, won several awards for creative nonfiction and is distributed to bookstores by Wayne State University Press. Writing Home includes 93 personal essays, many of which were previously published in national magazines, newspapers, and popular anthologies.

I’m often invited to speak about the importance of writing our life experiences and sharing family stories. These talks can be tailored to a group of any size, and typically include readings from my book as well as “mini workshops” on writing memoirs and personal essays. 

I’m also available to lead private writing workshops for small groups. (I do not list private events or appearances on this site.)

My teaching and speaking experience includes a variety of programs and lectures for William Beaumont Hospital, Meininger Senior Community Center, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Wayne State University, Detroit Working Writers, Royal Oak Continuing Education, and numerous churches throughout Oakland County. As the first Writer-in-Residence for the Royal Oak Public Library, I developed many creative writing programs and events for Oakland County writers and journalists. I currently serve on the faculty at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, and am a member of the Society of Professional Journalists,  Detroit Working Writers, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

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– Bottom photo taken at Rochester Writers Conference 2008 by Mary Axiotis. –

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