Using fiction in memoir writing…no kidding! Ina’s Weird Prompts™ enliven both the writing and the process

Ina Hillebrandt’s Memoir Writing Workshops “open the floodgates” to cherished memories, help new writers and published authors record and structure them for loved ones, and fans.

People from all walks of life find excursions into fiction make writing their true-to-life memoirs fun instead of harrowing, and that their prose is richer for the experience. From an Emmy winning comedy writer to a creative writing teacher with an MFA in her field, to a lady who writes of being “born the day they first sold beer after the repeal of Prohibition,” all face challenges when turning to the memoir form. Questions include, “What do I do with all these scraps of paper?”, “Where do I start?,” and “Will anybody really want to read this?”

Beginning with the first class, participants learn easy and fun to use tools for capturing and organizing their memories, and find that indeed, even people who are not their mothers – or kids – find their stories fascinating, the real as well as the imaginary. As they put it, “The stories of the people in this class blow me away! And I thought I was like everyone else.” Laurel Shapiro, a self-described little old lady who writes for the Memoirs class series Fairy Tales for Grownups™, when she isn’t bumping someone off in one of her murder mysteries. “Ina has a gift for opening people up. I went in a whole new direction I wouldn’t have gone on my own,” says Chrystine Julian, published poet whose first book, Sensual Spirit was published by Hillebrandt’s imprint Pawpress following Julian’s experience in a workshop. Others add, “Ina’s Weird Prompts™ and books ‘Make it easy,’ and ‘The class makes my week!’ (Books include Hillebrandt’s How to Write Your Memoirs……Fun Prompts that Make Writing…and Reading…Your Life Stories a Pleasure!, Diving Boards…First Lines and Titles for Stories, and Pawprints, book of furry memoirs, an Amazon.com bestseller.)

“After years of all those scraps of paper around the house, finally, magical order! And to see myself in print made me feel complete.” A comment by first-time author Jane Madeline, this quote underscores how much it means for group members to be published, an option offered to class members. Tales are posted online at www.InasPawprints.com. And selected pieces are included in the class book series, Stories From The Heart. Vol. 2 became an Amazon.com bestseller, and Vol. 3 was just released in May. Authors are also invited to participate in the Pawprints Players, presenting Spoken Word with Music performances of their work. Audience members’ remarks include, “They just glow. You can see they’re having fun, and their stories are fascinating. I’d like to get to know them better.”

“I think if I can do anything, it’s help other people develop, and make sure we’re all laughing. I must admit to enjoying the occasional ‘I told you so!’ as well. So many people come in saying, ‘I can’t write!,’ or “Who cares?’ I just love it when they find out, ‘Hey, they like me!’” Hillebrandt’s workshops draw on 20+ years of experience as a Fortune 500 communications, humor and creativity coach, and her work as a writer of books and other media.

Recent and Upcoming Appearances by Ina…

Dutton’s Bookstore, 11975 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Sunday Oct. 14, 2-4 pm
How to Write Your Memoirs Workshop –- Using Fiction to Liven your writing — Honest! Open to people of all ages. Free to the public.


NCIBA Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
Conference in Oakland, CA Oct. 5,6. Representing Pawpress, and managing PA-LA booth (Publishers Association of Los Angeles, Affiliate of national Publishers Marketing Association). Marriott Convention Center, Oakland, CA.

New series of Memoir Writing Workshops, 10 weekly meetings
Starting date: Saturday Oct. 20
Time: 10:00 am - noon
Place: Westside L.A., private home
Fee: $395 for ten week course. Includes free books, value $20. Early bird registration $350.
To sign up or get more information, see website www.InasPawprints.com
Or call 310.471.5048

Ina recently appeared at the West Hollywood Book Fair wearing several hats: Panelist on Publishing Panel, which attracted a standing room only crowd; guest author at WNBA-L.A. (Women's National Book Assocation) booth; host of the Pawpress/Pawprints Literacy Plus Booth; ostage as a Spoken Word Performer, with her students, The Pawprints Players.

Ina also donates time to conduct an ongoing free workshop for seniors co-sponsored by Pawpress and the Felicia Mahood Senior Center in West L.A., Mondays 10:15-noon. A few spaces are still available. For information on this workshop, other workshops, or on how to set up a single or series of Memoir Writing Workshops for your group, please contact Ina at (310) 471-5048. E-mail: InaH@InasPawprints.com. Website: www.InasPawprints.com

MEDIA: Ina and Ina’s Writing Club authors are available for interviews. Photos available upon request. Phone contact: 310-497-5653.