Crafting Your Life Story:
An Introductory Workshop on Memoir Writing
Workshop Content
Presenter: Karen Gribbin
Join me for “Crafting Your Life Story,” a half-day workshop designed to inspire and guide memoir writers. In this instructional session, we’ll explore the art of storytelling, techniques for capturing memory, and tips for finding your unique voice.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, this workshop will provide you with the tools and confidence to begin crafting your memoir. Come ready to share, reflect, and ignite your passion for telling your story.
Content
Memoir Writing is a deeply personal journey. It's about more than just recounting events, its about finding the emotional truth buried within your lived experiences. Yet, one of the most common questions memoir writers ask is "Where Do I Begin?"
As an introduction I ask, "Who here is a Writer." I'm usually greeted with blank stares. The answer is always, "All of you, because being a part of this workshop makes you a writer."
WE WILL COVER.
How To Tap Into
Your Story
The sheer scope of your life can feel overwhelming. How do you tap into your story in a way that feels authentic, manageable, and worth sharing. We will explore what you want to tell, you won't need a perfect memory, or a dramatic backstory. What you'll need is access to your memories, your voice, and your courage. I will teach practical techniques to tap into your story, along with exercises to put what you learn into practice
Permit Yourself
To Be Messy
Perfection is the enemy of memoir (any writing actually), many writers stop before they start because they think their first draft needs to be publishable. It doesn't. Your only job in the beginning is to remember and record. Don't worry about chronology, grammar, or even making sense. Just start writing. You will learn how to be messy and get your story on paper in snapshots that matter.
Use Prompts to
Awaken Memory
Our brains store memories in layers, and sometimes, all it takes is the right nudge to bring a scene or feeling back into view. Prompts can be incredibly effective for unlinking buried memories or forgotten details. In this workshop you will learn to follow your energy. Through exercises we'll learn to write about place, describe the smell of your childhood home, and your favourite hiding spot as a kid, and why?
Map Your Life
With a Timeline
When your memories feel jumbled or fragmented, organising them can bring clarity. One useful technique you'll learn is creating a personal timeline. You'll start with a major life milestone, illness, or transformation. Then, add emotional turning points: the first time you felt grief, joy, betrayal, freedom. This life map isn't a rigid outline, its a reference point. It can help you see patterns, identify key themes, and decide where your memoir might begin or focus.
Use Sensory Detail
as a Portal
Our senses are powerful gateways to memory. A single smell, song, or taste can unlock a flood of emotions and moments. If you're feeling blocked, the smell of something familiar, old perfume, coffee, rain or music can generate memories. Through exercises we will learn how to to discover and develop your unique narrative voice to make your memoir stand out.
Write in Vignettes,
Not Chapters
Memoirs don't have to be written in order. Think of your story as a mosaic, each small piece matters, and together, they create the full picture. Writing in vignettes, short, focused scenes or reflections can help make the process feel less overwhelming. A memoir is not just about what happened; its about how it changed you. We will cover "Why does this story matter to you?" You don't need a dramatic event to write a meaningful story.
My Story
A few years ago I experienced a profound loss that led to a mental breakdown.
At that time I isolated myself from my family and community, and in that silence, I lost my voice. It was a journey in which I learnt there is no end to grief. But it did lead me to a profound self-discovery, as I navigated my way back to wholeness. I realised the importance of having a voice and the power of sharing our stories.
I am passionate about others finding and using their voices because I believe that every story is worthy of being told.
Our experiences, no matter how difficult, have the potential to resonate with and inspire others.
Through memoir writing I aim to empower you to reclaim your narratives and connect with their truths, fostering a community where everyone can feel safe to share their unique journey and be heard.
