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The art and craft of the mini-memoir The art of the mini memoir Don't try to say it all. Say less and say it well. My approach to coaching memoir writing comes out of my own experience. I spent a year working on a memoir about my life in theater. After writing 150 pages, I faced the fact that I was never going to finish it. I am 67, and my life is busy with work, family, and fighting tyranny. Also -- I write v - e - r - y slowly. So what do I want to leave for my kids and grandkids? To share now with friends? Some of what I’ve learned, some essence of my experience and how I wrestled with it. And I want it to be a satifsying read – not something glib or hastily thrown together. I’ve settled on writing mini memoirs. Self-contained pieces that offer windows into the life I've led. Each mini memoir focuses on a single moment in my life. I've written two about my political activism, one about dealing with insomnia and heart disease. The three selves in memoir writing My approach to memoir writing is influenced by the work of the behavioral economist Daniel Kahnemann, z"l. Kahnemann observed that our Experiencing Self and our Remembering Self tell completely different stories about the same events. I believe the memoirist needs to draw on both of these sources -- and on yet another: the Reflective Self, which insists on asking bigger and deeper questions than we usually make time for. Read more What I'm offering If you're working on (or contemplating) a memoir, I offer small online groups invidividual coaching/mentoring . The first step for either is to schedule a free 15-minute Zoom to discuss your project. The photo above, by Max James Fallon, shows me holding a picture of my much younger self

Charlie Varon's satire and other mischief Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons #5 "Here on Planet Earth," featuring Sir David Attenborough Here on Planet Earth 00:00 / 02:51 Written by Charlie Varon & David Ford Performed by Charlie Varon Keep the bonbons coming! Email me when the next one is ready! Email Subscribe

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Charlie Varon's satire and other mischief What I'm Up to This Spring (2026) #1 I'm hosting a weekly Salon in San Francisco. Artistic community, a beautiful venue, a chance to write. And hear new work. Monday mornings at 10am #2 I'm leading Get Up and Write , my free workshop, now in its 6th year. Write, be inspired, find kindred spirits. Wednesday mornings, 8am PST, on Zoom. #3 I'm offering small group workshops , with personal coaching. #4 I'm coaching & mentoring writers & performers. #5 I'm performing an evening of my comic bonbons #6 Activism. I'm talking to voters, helping raise money for campaigns, and protesting. And having fun doing it!

Playwright, comedian, director, mentor, coach.

Alan Watts: "Puzzling Evidence" Charlie Varon 's Comic Bonbons #13: Alan Watts, "Puzzling Evidence" Alan Watts - Puzzling Evidence 00:00 / 06:00 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Collaboration: J.P. Tilleman Attention, writers and performers: I have openings for mentoring/coaching .

The Return of Pete Seeger Charlie Varon 's Comic Bonbons #10: "For Pete Seeger's Sake " Pete Seeger bonbon Feb 29 00:00 / 02:01 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Special thanks to J.P. Tilleman Keep the bonbons coming! Email me when the next one is ready! Email Subscribe Attention, writers and performers: I have openings for mentoring/coaching starting in mid-March.

Election anxiety Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons #16: Election Anxiety Election anxiety 00:00 / 03:54 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Special thanks to David Ford & J.P. Tilleman Feeeling a tad anxious about the election? Click here

Mind bcomes tranquil Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons #18: Mind Becomes Tranquil Mind becomes tranquil 00:00 / 05:09 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Collaboration: J.P. Tilleman Saturday evening, March 8 in Oakland: Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons LIVE! Info & tickets

Bernie's "All of Me" Dream Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons #19: Bernie's "All of Me" Dream Bernie’s Dream - All of Me 00:00 / 03:56 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Collaboration: J.P. Tilleman & David Ford Announcements #1 Don't postpone writing your memoir! Say What You Mean Before You Die New session starts May 1 #2 Join me on Saturday, April 5th in the "Hands Off!" National Day of Action to oppose the dismantling of essential programs and the billionaire power grab. Be part of it

"Out of Office" Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons #20: "The grass is green and the sky is blue" The grass is green and the sky is blue 00:00 / 02:02 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Collaboration: J.P. Tilleman Special Thanks: David Ford Get tix now Buy before May 1 and get $5 off w code COCOA More announcements #1 Don't postpone writing your memoir! Say What You Mean Before You Die New session starts May 1 #2 Can't stand what's happening in this country? Life is better when you're doing something to change it Here's one place to start

Turn back the hands of time Charlie Varon's Comic Bonbons #17: Turn back the hands of time Turn Back the Hands of Time 00:00 / 04:43 Written & performed by Charlie Varon Special thanks to J.P. Tilleman Coming up Sun 1/12/25... Free webinar w/me & Kenny Yun