Author, Teacher
"Truth and Lie: The Edge Between Memoir and Fiction"

The buzz these days in the publishing world is about the fuzzy edge between what is "truth" and what is "fiction." People understand that creative nonfiction requires use of fictional techniques; memoir writers struggle with how much family laundry to air and how much to "change" in order to keep family criticism at bay. How much can be changed or added before a work crosses from non-fiction to fiction? Is truth better revealed in memoir or fiction? Authors such as Dorothy Allison, Mary Karr, and Jennifer Lauck will be discussed. A memoir writer and teacher, Linda approaches these edgy issues with a passion that encourages vigorous discussion. Come early for a good seat.

Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D., MFT is a therapist and writer in Berkeley. Her new book Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story is a guide to using writing as healing for the writer and the family. She discusses various family dynamics that arise when writing "true" stories. Linda conducts ongoing memoir workshops in the Bay Area. Her memoir Don't Call Me Mother is available April 2005 at bookstores and online. Visit her website at www.memoriesandmemoirs.com.