Memoir and Life Writing, Autumn 2026 (Wednesday afternoon)

Memoir and Life Writing short course

with Rachel Bentham

Wednesday afternoons, 2 pm to 4 pm

7 October to 2 December 2026 (no class for half-term 28 October)

Arts Complex, 7 Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1TB

How can we write about our lived experience?
This course aims to encourage, support, and excite participants in engaging with creative writing in a safe and informal space.

During this course you will be introduced to a variety of approaches to memoir and life writing through a discussion of different texts, and we'll do writing exercises to explore your material in a confidential space. There will be opportunities to share your work and get feedback if you wish.

Every week, we'll do exercises to explore aspects of the craft of writing, including how to progress and structure your writing, how to develop an individual narrative voice, mapping your plot, and how to integrate non-fiction material. Can dialogue be included/created? What kind of source material can be used? How do we navigate the vagaries of memory and differing points of view? Do we need to get the permission of others? If you want to write about your life and engage in lively discussions with other writers, then this course is for you.

Each term's teaching is designed anew, so that former students can continue to attend ongoing courses and find fresh stimulus. There are always different aspects and more layers of your writing to explore!

Email: english-lifelong@bristol.ac.uk
Telephone: 0117 455 8271

Refund policy:

Refunds for our short courses are only to be given in exceptional circumstances and no less than one month before the course is due to start.
Refunds for a course already started cannot be accepted.
If a student is unable to attend a course before it has begun and there is a waiting list, refunds can be granted should their place be successfully transferred to a person on the waiting list.
Refunds will only be processed once receipt of the waiting list student’s fee has been confirmed and can take up to three weeks.
If a course is cancelled or withdrawn by the University, course fees will be refunded, normally in full, within three weeks.

Click here for our full terms and conditions, booking and access information

Data collection:

Towards the end of the booking form there are a number of optional demographic questions. Data collected here will be used in accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2018 and processed in accordance with the Privacy Notice accessible at the bottom of the page. Completion of this section (in all or part) is voluntary but your assistance is appreciated. The information you give will be used to evaluate our commitment to equality of opportunity specific to Humanities short courses provision.