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Write Your Life!  Read Your Work!  
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Thanks for the memoirs!

Four years ago, I began my business with a logo, a business card, and a group of aspiring writers willing to meet in coffee shops. My artist daughter designed the banner that leads this newsletter, based on a few of my favorite images—a candle, clock, oriental silk screen, and one of my favorite quotes by novelist Flannery  O'Connor. Also pictured is Venus ( aka"Venus with a bath towel") from Louisville's St. James Court Fountain.

Venus and Flannery continue to inspire me. The St. James Court fountain is the reason for the name of my business—Shape & Flow. As a fountain flows over its structure, so does the written word.  And, Flannery's quote about seeing the world through objects, remains central to my writing and teaching. We begin with an object from memory or real time, and let our words go where they wish. This is the advice I would have given to my father. He had always wanted to write his memoir but had trouble deciding which of his fabulous stories to tell. I describe what I would tell him in this brief wandering essay,— "Start with the Squirrels." 

Thanks for the memoirs(and personal essays)! 

Sincerely yours, Kimberly Crum

Upcoming:  A Reading at The Bard's Town 
Memoir and Essay Workshops

A Dramatic Monologue Craft Class

 A Reading by Shape & Flow Writers
Thursday, September 1, 2016
at the Bard's Town lounge
6:30 to 8 PM

(full restaurant service available)
You want an audience for your personal narrative. Alas, there is no line of eager agents forming at your door. Not to worry. There is an audience waiting to hear your narrative—people who love you and/or love to hear true stories.  

Reading aloud to an audience is central to the writing experience.  

Shape & Flow writers read six-minute segments of their work. The event is a celebration of our unique life experiences.  Join us!

Here are a few tips on reading your work aloud!
Make a scene!
Find yourself
(and other characters)
in original true stories!
Discover what you want to say.  Describe scenes from childhood and adulthood.  Explore meaning through details.

Memoir and essay workshops run continuously through the year. Each meets 2.5 hours for six weeks. Small groups (4-7) work together. We  read, write, discuss, share, and complete two first-drafts of short pieces to develop and revise. Writing prompts are completed at home, as are readings and short manuscripts. 

As the text for our study, we often use the Creative Nonfiction Journal—an excellent venue for short nonfiction essay, memoir and craft instruction.  Pictured is the issue we'll use for memoir workshop.

Here is a list of upcoming workshops:
   
Essay Workshop: Six-week session begins Tuesday, August 30—10 AM to 12:30 PM—$160
Memoir Workshop: Six-week session begins Wednesday, September 21—10 AM to 12:30 PM—$160
Write the Dramatic Monologue:  A 2.5 hour craft class with playwright, Nancy Gall-Clayton, on Saturday, October 8—9:30 to noon—$30
 
To enroll, e-mail Kimberly or call 502-417-3424
Visit the website
 

Meant to Impress:
The College Essay

For high school seniors applying to college, the personal narrative (aka college application essay) is the only way that admissions staff will get a sense of the unique person behind the scores and grades. In the college essay, the applicant should respond to a writing prompt specifically and authentically, using anecdotes and details in a polished narrative that hooks the reader, flows well and ends with a punch.

Here is a concise list of tips for writing college essays.

I work with essayists to brainstorm unique ways to respond to writing prompts, provide instruction and a critique of first drafts, and guide writers through the revision, until the essay is complete. Here are two choices for essay writing instruction:
1.  Individual consultation—$35 for each one-hour session
2.  A group essay workshop —$25 per 90-minute session/three sessions recommended
Dates will be scheduled to accommodate students. Consider having students assemble a group of friends to work together.
 
Inquire by e-mail 
or call 502-417-3424 and ask for Kimberly





 
All classes meet in Studio 123 at the Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville, KY 40206
Copyright © 2016 Shape & Flow Writing Services, Studio 123, All rights reserved.


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