Benicia Literary Arts and the Carquinez Village Project have teamed up to give Benicians a chance to learn how to write their memoirs.
Every person and every family has a story, and getting those stories recorded is one of the goals of the workshop that will be taught by Lois Requist, BLA president and former Benicia poet laureate, said Linda Hastings, BLA spokesperson.

Another purpose of the workshop is to encourage writers, whether they are aspiring or established, Hastings said.

“We have a fabulous resource in Lois Requist,” she said, explaining that in addition to her own literary accomplishments, Requist has conducted writing workshops before. “She has the expertise.”

BLA is collaborating with the Carquinez Village Project on the workshop to encourage older residents to start writing in general, and to create compositions based on their memories, Hastings said.

The nonprofit Carquinez Village Project is part of a national grassroots effort to establish neighbor-to-neighbor volunteer networks that provide social, practical and referral assistance to older residents who hope to live independently in their homes.

“This workshop has particular value to older adults who have so much to reflect on and share,” Judie Donaldson, co-chairperson of the local Carquinez Village Project, said.

“Time in each class will be spent in sharing and listening,” Hastings said. “We’ll look at examples of well-written memoirs, talk about structure, character and plot development and how to introduce suspense or surprise.

“What will your story be? Whether for yourself, your family or for a larger audience, come to explore and find out where your stories may take you.”

Through the workshop, she said, participants can start preserving their own personal history, chronicling their family stories and sharing their life experiences and memories.

Requist will help them select an approach and get started writing, Hastings said.

“She’ll offer questions and exercises,” she said. “I think Lois has the expertise at getting the story out, and get people interested in writing.”

Another resource, she said, is the setting of the workshop — Carter’s Biz Café in the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, 1 Commandant Lane in the historic Arsenal District.

She said having the workshop at Carter’s Biz Café is a big plus because it “will be an informal setting.”

Some may be surprised to learn that their own past experiences have prepared them to write a memoir, Hastings said, citing her own personal example.

“I was in the corporate world. I did a lot of writing — business writing,” she said. But her association with BLA has shown her that all her experience in writing one way has prepared her for writing other types of compositions.

She expects the same to happen at the workshop, where participants can share their experiences and learn from each other.

“If you have some scraps of a story, Lois can help you expand it,” Hastings said, adding that writers also will get feedback and encouragement from other workshop participants.

Requist also will share examples of well-written memoirs, Hastings said: “Memoirs are a hot topic.” Which is why writing workshops in Berkeley and San Francisco can be costly, whereas participation in the six-part BLA writing memoirs workshop is only $100.

The workshop series will be Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 8 to Sept. 19, skipping Labor Day weekend.

Seating is limited. Those interested in participating may register by sending a check for $100 to Benicia Literary Arts, P.O. Box 1903, Benicia, CA 94510. Those with questions may call Hastings at 678-488-7590.