Westport Writers’ Workshop is proud to co-sponsor an interactive author reading, conversation, and writing event with debut memoirist Veena Dinahavhi and Instructor Julie Sarkissian at Pequot Library. Veena will read from her new book, The True Happiness Company, and speak with Julie about what we can take away from Veena’s experience escaping a cult. Audience members will write together to a prompt aimed at exploring the authentic self, inspired by Veena’s determination to live life on her own terms.
Free and open to the public. No registration required. Hosted by Pequot Library – 72 Pequot Avenue, Southport, CT
The college essay can be daunting in both its open-endedness and importance. The prompts ask students to do a kind of self-reflective narrative writing that many haven’t had much experience with, and, because the task often feels so high-stakes, it’s often difficult to know where to begin. How can students balance the seemingly impossible demands of this task with the imperative to stay true to themselves and write with authenticity? In an age of AI and Chat-GPT, it’s essential that the student’s voice remains at the heart of the essay. This intensive college essay boot camp is designed to bring students from blank page to completed draft over the course of four two-hour meetings.