Students at work in the breakfast room of the Hôtel Diderot, where we will stay. Writer and blogger Jamie Schler, my co-host, owns it with her husband.
If you are a storyteller who would like to sharpen your skills at a food memoir workshop in France, come join us in December.
This time, award-winning essayist and blogger Jamie Schler and I will focus on memoir and essay writing. As it applies to food, of course.
By personal essay or memoir writing, I mean writing based on your own experiences, memories, and thoughts. It could be early memories about eating mangoes or learning to make blanquette du veau. No matter which subject you choose, you will learn how to infuse your work with voice, emotion and sensuality.
I taught a writing workshop at a conference recently, where some food bloggers expressed apprehension about writing personal stories. They said they “weren’t good at it.”
That’s a valid concern, becuase you have to know how to make readers care about your obsessions and passions. We’ll discuss that. Or it might be about the inner critic, and we’ll talk about that too. Or maybe their readers just want the recipe, so these bloggers will need to tell longer stories elsewhere, in articles or book.
Because some of us are driven to tell our stories.
So come. Jamie and I provide a beautiful setting, warm support, and time to write. We’ll help you get your stories out and explore techniques of voice, description and scene-setting.
At the Chinon market, where you’ll stroll around: Pastry shells with veal, mushrooms and creme fresh, from a local bakery.
The details of our food memoir workshop in France:
It will be held December 5-9, 2018, Chinon, France, in Jamie’s hotel, the Hôtel Diderot.
You’ll be staying in a charming 15th Century hotel in a medieval village in the Loire Valley. If you come from Paris, it’s a short train ride, about 150 miles. In addition to writing, teaching and workshopping, we’ll also wander the outdoor market, drink local wine, dine at a nearby restaurant and eat local specialties such as river fish and pork rillettes.
The price is €1750 (in euros) but you can knock off €100 if you purchase by July 15, 2018.
We’ll visit a distinguished winery and eat lunch there, as part of our workshop.
So, are you ready to come? Read more about our December food memoir workshop in France.
And if you have questions, please comment and I’d be happy to respond.
If France were in my budget this year I would totally sign up. I really don’t know how to approach food as memoir.
Take notes and tell us after what you taught everyone, okay? 🙂 🙂
Hah! I have written about memoir in Will Write for Food, and taught it in bits and pieces, but this is the first time we have devoted an entire workshop to it. I will work on condensing the message.
It’s been several years since I’ve read your book. I’ll pick up some French wine and cheese and spend a weekend rereading that chaper 🙂
Wish I could make it to France for this workshop. But I’d love to attend a food memoir workshop a bit closer to home (Philadelphia), Dianne!
Agree with Jennifer, would love to hear about it from the attendees.
Well, if someone invites me to Philadelphia to teach, and we can get students, I’ll come.
Great list of good blogs. Its really helps a lot…..
Not sure what you’re referring to, but thank you anyway!
OK now this one is just PERFECT for me! December is my toughest month to get away though 🙁
We’d love to have you join us, Shefaly.
Oh my, of all the workshops I’ve read about in your newsletters, this is the one that really hits home. It’s everything that I’m passionate about: France, the Loire Valley, food, memoir, and more. I have to get more details and look at my schedule, but I would love it. Thanks for the offering.
Hey Shirl, that is exciting! I hope your schedule works out. Keep in mind that the Earlybird special ends in 2 weeks. Let me know if you have any questions.
As a Francophile and Foodie this sounds fabularssio!
Do I have to be a published Writer/Blogger like most of your interesting followers to attend? I started writing a foodie memoire francaise plotting our woes and joys of renovating in France but shelved it for no real reason than the dreaded word – time.
Hi Denise! You were working on a memoir, so that’s just right for this workshop. Maybe we can convince you to get it out again.
Hey Dianne,
I found a round trip, non-stop flight from SFO to CDG for $592 through Norwegian Air. I am not sure if I will be able to make the workshop (working on logistics, etc. ), but I wanted to pass it on to anyone who is interested.
Pretty cool. My nonstop return flight was around $600 through Air France. It’s a good time to travel!