Lifescapes

Have you ever wanted to write about your life, but didn’t know how to start?  Have you often thought about recording your experiences but have never had the time or the motivation to do it?  The Orillia Public Library may be able to help you put some of your life stories to paper. 

Everyone has a story to tell.  Even if you think that your life has been dull, it’s probably more interesting than you think.

  Just reflect on the many events that have happened in this past century alone. Think of questions that might jog your memory, for example,

• What were you doing when President Kennedy was assassinated? 
• How did you feel when you saw Neil Armstrong walk on the moon? 
• Who was with you when you celebrated the end of  World War II?

Now that you remember these events, it’s time to put them down on paper.

And that’s where Lifescapes comes in.  Lifescapes was developed by Julie Machado, a Librarian with the Washoe County Library System and Stephen Tchudi, Professor of English and Rhetoric at the University of Nevada.  Their mission was to encourage seniors to write down life experiences.  By “jogging memories” with different techniques, participants find many things to write about. Once their ideas are down on paper, their work is published for future generations to read. 
 
Using the Nevada Lifescapes as a foundation, The Orillia Public Library designed its own program, geared toward helping  interested participants have their memoirs preserved in book form.

Lifescapes meetings happen twice a month for approximately 8 months   Various memory triggers are used to help participants capture memories and group discussions encourage participants to continue writing.  The meetings also include guest speakers and the sharing of stories.

Read about our latest launch here...

Interested in joining the next session? Call Jayne at 325-2338