Memory Work: How Memory Makes Character

"Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted." So says Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's film Memento, and there's a wealth of writing that agrees. Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, narration in our writing often deals with things remember and mis-remembered. Lots of writing advice focuses on "backstory" for our characters, but it's through memory that this backstory comes alive and affects our characters today. This class will look at the way memory works—from a cognitive perspective, a social perspective, and, of course, a craft perspective.

This class will focus on memory as a form of characterization. Flashbacks, imagined scenes, mis-remembered conversations: all of these things can help add depth and realism to your characters, no matter what genre you are working in. We will discuss the work of Tobias Wolff, Mary Karr, Yoon Ha Lee, Arkady Martine, Tasmyn Muir, and more. Writers should leave with at least one updated scene from a current project. Poets, memoirists, essayists, novelists, and short story writers can all gain new ways of thinking about "memory work" from this short, intensive workshop.

Class Format

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. Please note that proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is required to attend this class. Please submit your proof of vaccination here at least 48 hours before your class begins. Read on to learn more about GrubStreet's vaccine protocol and find information about where to get vaccinated below.

GrubStreet Vaccine Protocol

Please submit your most recent proof of vaccination, which requires a booster shot for those eligible, here at least 48 hours before your class begins. If you have previously submitted a proof of vaccination that did not include your booster shot, you will need to resubmit your updated vaccine card.  If you are not able to fill out our vaccination form 48 hours before your class begins, please bring your vaccine card (or a photo of it) with you to the building. Please note that if you arrive for class and you have not filled out the form and do not have proof of vaccination with you, you will not be allowed to participate in the class. And don’t forget your mask! In accordance with the City of Boston, masks will be required at all times while inside the building. Click here to read GrubStreet's full Vaccination and Masking Policy.

Vaccination status: For in-person classes and events, your vaccination status is considered up-to-date until the time you are eligible for a booster—which is 5 months after the second dose in a two-shot series. Boosters are required for all visitors on our second floor if your second shot was more than 5 months ago. 

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.