Flannery O'Connor said that anyone who survived childhood has enough material to write for the rest of his or her life. She's right, of course. But writing about yourself and your crazy (or not-so-crazy) family can be the big vein, if you're ready, or the brick wall, if you're not. So I teach memoir. Since 1998 my class, “Writing What You Know,” has attracted more than 500 students. Held at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, it is one of the great joys of my life. I have also taught an Oasis program, funded by the Ellis Island foundation, on capturing the immigration experience, as well as summer writing seminars for women at the Pyramid Life Center in Paradox, New York.