Jun
14
4:00 PM16:00

Memoir Journaling Techniques: Mining Memories + Shaping Meaning (Part Two)

This two-part toolkit series invites you to use journaling as a natural entry point into your personal story, both as a tool for self-discovery and as a foundation for meaningful creative work. We’ll distinguish between everyday journaling and a more intentional memoir practice that helps you uncover significant memories, recognize patterns and themes, and begin shaping the stories that want to be told. This workshop has consistently been a student favorite in my classes at The Writer’s Center, because it offers a clear, supportive way to begin writing about your life without feeling overwhelmed by the scope of it. This series will help you develop a bank of memories and anecdotes you can leverage to illustrate the themes and storylines that shape your life story.

In the second session, we learn another excavation tool, then you’ll be guided through exercises that help you identify themes, storylines, and narrative arcs. These tools focus on narrowing your scope, so instead of feeling overwhelmed by everything you could write, you have some direction. By the end of this session, you will: Identify core themes and questions emerging from your memories | Recognize connections between separate experiences | Develop potential storylines and narrative threads | Leave with a clearer sense of direction for your writing. Register for Zoom meeting here.

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May
21
6:00 PM18:00

Memoir Journaling Techniques: Mining Memories + Shaping Meaning (Part One)

This two-part toolkit series invites you to use journaling as a natural entry point into your personal story, both as a tool for self-discovery and as a foundation for meaningful creative work. We’ll distinguish between everyday journaling and a more intentional memoir practice that helps you uncover significant memories, recognize patterns and themes, and begin shaping the stories that want to be told. This workshop has consistently been a student favorite in my classes at The Writer’s Center, because it offers a clear, supportive way to begin writing about your life without feeling overwhelmed by the scope of it. This series will help you develop a bank of memories and anecdotes you can leverage to illustrate the themes and storylines that shape your life story.

In this first session, we focus on how to access and capture memories in a way that feels meaningful, generative, and creatively energizing. We’ll clarify the difference between a traditional journal and a memoir journal, highlighting the benefits of excavation and creative experimentation. Through guided prompts, you’ll begin identifying key moments, seasons, and turning points that have shaped your life. You’ll also experiment with different storytelling forms to find new and surprising entry points into your stories. By the end of this session, you will: Understand how to use journaling as a tool for memoir and idea generation | Generate a body of memory-based writing to work from | Identify meaningful life moments, patterns, and themes | Discover creative entry points that make it easier to get words on the page. Register to join us here.

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May
9
10:00 AM10:00

Monthly Storytelling Workshop

This is our monthly space where you’re welcome to share your writing—whether it’s an excerpt from a project you’re working on or something inspired by one of the story work exercises.

Remember, you’re also welcome to join even if you don’t plan to share. Listening, engaging in discussion, and offering feedback are equally valuable ways to participate. You can register to join us here.

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Apr
21
6:00 PM18:00

Quarterly Accountability Check-In

(Please note: This quarterly check-in will take the place of our usual Tuesday cowriting session.)

Now that we are transitioning from winter into spring, let’s gather to reflect on the past season and set intentions for what’s ahead. In this quarterly check-in, you’ll have the opportunity to name what you’re working on and receive gentle accountability and support from the community. Through guided reflection prompts, we’ll take stock of what the winter season taught you, what you’re focusing on, and what support you’re seeking as we move into spring.

Join Zoom Meeting

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Apr
11
10:00 AM10:00

Monthly Storytelling Workshop

This is our monthly space where you’re welcome to share your writing—whether it’s an excerpt from a project you’re working on or something inspired by one of the story work exercises.

Remember, you’re also welcome to join even if you don’t plan to share. Listening, engaging in discussion, and offering feedback are equally valuable ways to participate. You can register to join us here.

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Mar
28
12:00 PM12:00

Practice Session #26: Close Reading for Generative Writing

In this 90-minute Practice session, we’ll read a few carefully chosen excerpts and read like writers. We’ll study short texts and notice craft elements like—tone, rhythm, repetition, point of view, and overall structure and approach—and consider how each writer uses language to deliver an image, a feeling, or a slice of story. Then we’ll use those discoveries as entry points into our own generative writing. The purpose of this session is more creative listening, less literary analysis. Together, we will experiment with reading as a creative catalyst and writing from literary inspiration.

Register here to join us.

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Mar
14
10:00 AM10:00

Monthly Storytelling Workshop

This is our monthly space where you’re welcome to share your writing—whether it’s an excerpt from a project you’re working on or something inspired by one of the story work exercises.

Remember, you’re also welcome to join even if you don’t plan to share. Listening, engaging in discussion, and offering feedback are equally valuable ways to participate. You can register to join us here.

View Event →