Creative Writing Course: Rediscovered Selves - Writing Memoir and Autobiography
Date & Time
Sat, 21 Mar 2026
19:00
Venue
Harris Manchester College: Warrington Room
Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TD
Tickets
Get ticketsAbout this event
A creative writing course led by Jem Poster and Sarah Burton focusing on memoir and autobiography writing. Participants will explore techniques for writing personal narratives and rediscovering their authentic selves through storytelling.
Why you should come
AI-powered• Learn memoir-shaping techniques from Aberystwyth Professor Jem Poster
• Master life-writing selection and omission with Cambridge expert Sarah Burton
• Practice building narrative interest through specific life-story exercises
Event Highlights
- •Led by university-level creative writing experts Jem Poster and Sarah Burton
- •Small group teaching with a maximum of 15 students per tutor session
- •Comprehensive one-day curriculum covering groundwork to final narrative shaping
- •Practical writing exercises combined with collaborative group discussions
Speakers
Jem Poster
Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University
Sarah Burton
Founder and former director of Cambridge University’s MSt in Creative Writing
Programme
Session 1: Introduction/the groundwork
Discussion on why we write about ourselves, readership, and the value of ordinary life experience.
Coffee
Session 2: Shaping our stories
Practical work on building interest, starting the story, and the art of selection and omission.
Lunch
Session 3: Themes and meaning
Balancing plot with meaning and discerning patterns to help shape the story.
Tea
Session 4: The importance of others/Drawing it all together
Practical work on incorporating others and a general overview of course insights.
What to bring / Requirements
- •Suitable for those writing for family or a wider readership
- •Involves practical writing work and group discussion
Organized by: Oxford Literary Festival