Pella-area residents can learn how to write about their lives in a six-session course, “Write Your Memories,” which begins next month.

The class through Crossroads of Pella begins at 10 a.m. and ends at noon in the Meeting Room of the Pella Public Library at 603 Main Street beginning November 16th. The class will be taught by local authors, Carol Van Klompenburg and Sarah Purdy.

“Sarah and I bring differing expertise and viewpoints to the course.” said Van Klompenburg. “I will teach the writing process, and as Write Place book division manager, Sarah will teach how to get writing into print.”

“I always enjoy working with writers on memoirs,” said Purdy. “Some are very short. We have published memoirs that are fewer than 50 pages. Others are much longer, and many include pictures or even a family tree. But no matter what, memoirs are always a joy to read because everyone has interesting stories to tell about their lives.”

Van Klompenburg plans to include information on how to get started and how to organize and edit material, along with prompts to help class members remember and write. She said, “For senior citizens I will be able to provide advice from a peer, and Sarah will be able to provide the questions that grandchildren want to know. The course will also provide in-class writing time and a chance to share writing with class members.”

“Write Your Memories” is sponsored by Crossroads of Pella as one of several courses it plans to offer to area senior citizens. The course is open to people of all ages. All classes will meet from 10 a.m. until noon at the Pella Public Library. Dates for the meetings are November 16, November 23, November 30, March 22, March 29, and April 5. To register for the course, call Crossroads of Pella at 641-628-1212 or email crossroadspella@windstream.net. Class size is limited to 20 people, and the deadline for registration is November 7.