Writing Your Memoirs
Your workshop was fantastic and you are wonderful at putting everyone at ease. It is so important for people to write down their memories nowadays….no one lives next to grandma anymore to hear stories and no one writes interesting letters. It makes me sad to think of how many memories that have been lost. I hope to attend more of your workshops.
Judith Didier, Karns Senior Center
Improving your dialogue
In the Dialogue Workshop, Pamela showed us direct and uncomplicated ways to write dialogue that works. What I learned gives me clarity and confidence in my writing. Judith Duvall
Using exemplary handouts for her Dialogue Workshop, Schoenewaldt was a particularly intelligent and amusing professor and included in her teaching not only her deep self but also a wonderful worldly approach along with writing examples students could easily grasp. She offered suggestions to further writing practice and personal work. All levels of writers attend her classes and enjoy both each other and her delightful approach to a shot in the arm. Joan MacReynolds
Research tips & techniques for writers
I think it’s probably one of the best workshops we’ve ever had by an author at Blount County Public Library! Thank you for your concept, your work with the library reference staff, and for describing the research needs of an author depicting accurate “literary scenes,” and explaining how the reference librarian can find reliable sources for all kinds of information needs. Audience members found the information extremely helpful. I know I found it so. Thank you! Joan VanSickle Sloan, Community Outreach Coordinator, Blount County Library
Writing about family
I enjoyed last weekend’s writing workshop at the Kingston Library. Your assistance in opening up our mind and imagination while stimulating our creative juices was a wonderful experience for me! In just a few early Saturday morning hours, your instruction provided the encouragement to write without self recrimination. For me, the experience was very freeing! Nancy Beth Gerberding
Thank you for last week’s workshop on “Writing About Family.” It was excellent, comfortable, self-revealing (I came up with two new ideas which just may stand the test of time! Thank you!), and worth every moment and penny invested. Thank you for doing these for burgeoning writers. It helps to see a “real” writer, one who is knowledgeable and “well-published,” who is also welcoming and supportive to other (would-be) writers. Nancy McGlasson
Presentations at community health facilities
At a staff/client presentation at the Tennessee Mental Health Consumers Association:
We enjoyed your presentation tremendously! Thank you so much for being so willing to speak with us and for your flexibility in with our members. They were delighted to have you, and I know it made them feel so special to be able to meet the author of the book they are reading, especially when that book relates to their own struggles. I know the staff also really enjoyed meeting with you. We were still talking about it on Friday, because there was so much we learned just from listening to your facts and personal stories. We are so appreciative and welcome you back any time! Courtney Hudson, MEd, CPRS, TNMHCA
Pamela Schoenewaldt met with a group of 18 supporters of the Volunteer Ministry Center drawn together by a shared interest in good writing and issues of mental illness. The conversation revolved around Swimming in the Moon and was informed by Pamela’s historical slides illustrating various points in her novel. The group had the opportunity to ask questions, to learn more about the immigrant experience, the treatment of mental illness in the early 1900’s, as well as the process of writing a book. The issue of mental illness is set within a compelling story populated by engaging characters . The reading of the book set the stage for a meaningful and informative conversation about the difficult topic of mental illness. We are very grateful that we had this opportunity to approach and discuss this topic in an unique and interesting way. Ginny Weatherstone, CEO, Volunteer Ministry Center
Character development
Pamela Schoenewaldt’s workshop, Character Development in Fiction, was one of the best writing workshops I’ve ever attended. Organized, knowledgeable, and efficient with time management, Ms. Schoenewaldt provided much valuable information, inspiration, and guidance in the form of instruction, helpful handouts, relevant anecdotes, and hands-on writing exercises. She offered an exceptional learning experience within a comfortable and fun atmosphere. I will definitely watch for her future workshops! Cathy Kodra, independent editor
Although I am not a professional writer, I learned techniques that help me create memorable characters and other techniques to move beyond writer’s block. Pat Chastain
The workshops Pamela has done for the Knoxville Writers’ Guild have been among the most popular we’ve ever had. Our members left with new insight on writing dialogue, developing character and doing historical research. She’s always well-prepared and interesting. She’s also fun to be around. Terry Shaw, past-president, Knoxville Writers Guild
Pamela Schoenewaldt’s presentation was engaging, clear, and informative. It was also an opportunity to partner with other participants, making this experience even more enriching. The knowledge I gained will be very valuable as I begin character development on a genealogy journey of my family, taking me back as far as the 10th century. (That is as far as the genealogy tree goes, but I have documents to around 1542.) I am grateful to Pamela for sharing her vast knowledge and experience with us! Jeannine Fort D’Auriol
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