Godmothers Gather: From Memories to Memoirs

Writer and artist L. John Harris will be joined by author, poet, and memoirist Diana Raab, and Tristine Rainer, an expert on diary and memoir writing, for a discussion on the art of memoir and turning life into literature. Their conversation will be moderated by anthropologist Cari Borja, co-founder of Clio’s Books, a bookstore and bar in Oakland.

Memoir asks us to make sense of experiences—to sift through memories, find meaning in the details, and shape personal stories into something that resonates beyond the self. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about the choices, challenges, and discoveries involved in writing from life, and what memoir can reveal about who we are, where we've been, and how we understand our place in the world.

L. John studied art and literature at UC Berkeley in the 1960s. Seduced by Berkeley’s food revolution in the 1970s, Harris worked at several iconic shops and restaurants and wrote his first book, “The Book of Garlic,” in 1974. His most recent book, “Portrait in Red: A Paris Obsession,” is both the story of his quest to uncover the history of a mysterious painting and a joyous exploration of art in the 20th century and beyond.

Diana has a Ph.D. in psychology with a concentration in transpersonal psychology with a research focus on the healing and transformative powers of memoir writing. She regularly leads writing workshops at Godmothers (and beyond) and facilitates The Sacred Circle, a monthly gathering (June, July) for women 60 and over. Her latest memoir, “Hummingbird: Messages From My Ancestors,” considers the connection between three generations of women: Diana, her mother, and her beloved maternal grandmother.

Tristine taught literature and writing at UCLA, Indiana University, and the University of Hawaii, and for 11 years in the master of professional writing program at USC. Her first book, “The New Diary: How to Use a Journal for Self-Guidance and Expanded Creativity,” created the lexicon of contemporary journal writing. She most recently published “Apprenticed to Venus: My Secret Life with Anaïs Nin,” a look back at her deep friendship—for good or ill—with a pivotal historical figure.

This event will be hosted in our third-floor loft space, which is only accessible by stairs.