Writing Down the Soul: An Archetypal and Mythological Approach to Memoir Writing

Opening Virtual Weekend with Maureen Murdock and Jennifer Leigh Selig   (Conducted live via Zoom)  Opening Online Immersive Learning Weekend (required) Saturday, March 23 9:00 am-12:00 pm, 1:30 pm-4:30 pm  Sunday, March 24   9:00am-12:00pm, 1:30-3:00 pm  All Sessions are Pacific Time  Like myth, memoir presupposes that there is a certain unity to human experience, that we all share similar hopes, dreams, and desires. When we tell the story of how and where we grew up, who our parents were, how the significant people in our lives influenced us, and what challenges and obstacles we faced, we are locating ourselves within an ancient human tradition of storytelling and meaning-making. Memoirs help us find meaning in our lives by showing us how our lives fit into a larger mythic pattern. Although not every memoir reflects a mythic theme, most memoir writers unconsciously reveal mythic themes in their desire to find meaning in their lives. Memoirs address the domains of myth: Who am I? Who are my people? What is my journey? What is my purpose? Where is home? The essence of a great memoir is the voice of the writer and how she brings the reader into a scene with sensory details. In an atmosphere of friendship, support, and safety, we will read excerpts from contemporary memoirists like Joan Didion, Dani Shapiro, Natasha Trethewey, and James McBride that reflect mythic themes, and respond to short writing prompts.

Program Format

Learn at Your Own Pace with Pacifica Extension’s Virtual Learning Format

The eight monthly learning sessions are designed to allow you to engage at your own pace and at your convenience. Each month begins with select recommended readings on the theme (typically 60-75 pages), accompanied by a pre-recorded video presentation and an online discussion forum. In the middle of each month, participants have the option of joining a live 60 minute Zoom discussion of a recommended “memoir of the month” to study issues of content and craft facilitated by Jennifer Leigh Selig. Each month ends with the posting of 2-4 pages of memoir writing by participants for feedback by small groups and Jennifer. Participants may choose to submit pages of an ongoing memoir-in-progress or may produce new material in response to suggested writing prompts. While there are due dates for each of the components, participants can work at their own pace and partake in discussions and offer feedback at their convenience. Closing Virtual Weekend with Maureen Murdock and Jennifer Leigh Selig   (Conducted live via Zoom)  Online Closing Immersive Learning Session (required) Saturday, December 7  9:00 am-12:00 pm, 1:30 pm-4:00 pm  Sunday, December 8  9:00 am-11:00 am  All Sessions are Pacific Time  After nine months of intensive memoir writing, it’s time to give birth! Participants will celebrate their labors as a community with Maureen and Jennifer as midwives. Everyone will be encouraged to read aloud from self-selected pages of their memoir writing, with Maureen offering feedback on the pages and the presentation. Afterward, Jennifer will lead the group in taking a backward glance, discussing the insights we experienced and the inroads we made on our individuation journeys vis-à-vis writing our memoirs. We’ll look into the future as well, and discuss venues for publishing memoir essays and full-length books, including mainstream, small press, and self-publishing options. Participants will be invited to submit a piece of their writing for a compilation class book commemorating the course.  Featured in The Writer Magazine   This program welcomes participants who: 

• Have always wanted to write a full-length memoir or try their hand at shorter personal reflections 
• Have already written memoir pieces and want to bring a depth perspective to their writing 
• Have a desire to cultivate a sense of archetypal and mythic consciousness in their writing 
• Wish to honor a soul-filled perspective towards creative imagination 
• Desire the structure and support a thoughtful writing community can offer 

Monthly Learning Session Schedule 

MONTH	TOPIC	OPTIONAL MEMOIR OF THE MONTH ZOOM DATE
April	The Archetype of the Storyteller: “Making Sense of the Senseless,” and Other Reasons We Write (and Read) Memoir	Thursday, April 18th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
May	The Archetype of Structure: Story as Flesh, Structure as	Thursday, May 16th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
June	The Archetype of Truth: To Tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth(?)	Thursday, June 20th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
July	The Archetype of Memory: Imaginal Remembering and Other Depth Psychological Approaches to Embodying and Enlivening Our Memories	Thursday, July 18th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
August	The Archetype of Voice: “Psyche Equals Voice,” Or How to Write Pages That Sing With Soul	Thursday, August 15th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
September	The Archetype of the Caregiver: Whose Story Is It? Writing Sensitively About Others in Our Lives	Thursday, September 19th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
October	The Archetype of Image: The Power of Metaphor and the Potential of Key Images	Thursday, October 17th, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time
November	The Archetype of Transformation: The Alchemy of Memoir Writing	Thursday, November 21st, 5:00-6:00 pm Pacific Time

 

Required Readings

• Barrington, Judith. (2002). Writing the Memoir: From Truth to Art (2nd ed 
• Karr, Mary. (2015). The Art of Memoir.  
• Kephart, Beth. (2013). Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir.  
• Maran, Meredith. (Ed.) (2016). Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists On Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) In the Name of Literature.  
• Murdock, Maureen. (2024). Mythmaking: Self-Discovery and the Timeless Art of Memoir. 
• Selig, Jennifer. (2024). Deep Memoir: An Archetypal Approach to Deepen Your Story and Broaden Its Appeal. 

Program Testimonials  “Thanks for this course. I dreamed about it, a little afraid it would disappoint. It’s even more wonderful than I thought possible. I am profoundly grateful.”  ~Shirley Munoz  “Jennifer Selig and Maureen Murdock have masterfully crafted a memoir course. As true professionals, ardent teachers, and skilled writers they braid the essential elements of memoir— technique, structure and voice—into a deeply resonant experience of one’s soul. Taking this course was a stellar gift to my writerly self.”  ~Dr. Christine Flaherty  “Writing Down the Soul breathed beauty and life into my writing. It was a deeply rewarding experience. I highly recommend it to anyone who has the desire to write, deepen their connection with others and make meaning of their own lives.” — Ruth Salmon