Unlock Your Story: Memoir Writing Workshop
Discover the art of memoir writing through my exclusive three-hour workshop, designed for anyone eager to preserve and share their ancestral stories. This intimate workshop focuses on the powerful technique of weaving narrative structures and universal themes into your memoirs, creating captivating narratives that resonate deeply with readers.
The workshop is taught in partnership with Narratively, writing conferences, genealogy gatherings and independently. You can sign up to find out when the next class will be taught.
Why join me?
My expert-guided sessions will delve into:
- Crafting Techniques: Learn how to effectively narrate your ancestral journey and make it compelling for today’s audience.
- Engagement Strategies: Understand what makes your story unique and why it matters to readers.
- Publication Pathways: Receive practical advice on submitting excerpts of your work for publication to reach a broader audience.
This workshop is about learning how to write and discovering the impact your personal history can have on the world. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer, you’ll leave with valuable insights and the skills necessary to bring your stories to life.
Join me to give voice to your heritage—because your story deserves to be told.
What to Expect
Introduction:
- Welcome participants and introduce the workshop’s objectives.
- Briefly discuss the importance of memoir writing, especially in the context of preserving ancestral journeys.
Session 1: Understanding Narrative Structures:
Presentation:
- Explain the two main narrative structures: chronological and thematic.
- Provide examples of each structure from notable memoirs.
Activity:
- Participants choose either chronological or thematic structure for their memoir.
- They outline the structure of their memoir based on their chosen approach, jotting down key events or themes.
Break
Session 2: Identifying Universal Themes:
Presentation :
- Discuss universal themes such as identity, belonging, resilience, and perseverance.
- Provide examples of how these themes can be incorporated into ancestral memoirs.
Activity:
- Participants reflect on their own ancestral journey and identify universal themes relevant to their narrative.
- They write brief paragraphs or anecdotes illustrating these themes in their memoir outline.
Session 3: Incorporating Ancestral Themes :
Presentation:
- Explore ancestral themes like cultural heritage and family dynamics.
- Offer strategies for vividly describing cultural traditions and navigating family relationships in memoirs.
Activity:
- Participants flesh out their memoir outlines by incorporating specific details about their cultural heritage and family dynamics.
Break
Session 4: Answering the “Why Should Readers Care?” Question:
Presentation:
- Discuss the importance of relatability and relevance in engaging readers.
- Offer tips for connecting personal experiences to universal emotions and contemporary issues.
Activity:
- Participants brainstorm ways to make their memoirs relatable and relevant to a broader audience.
- They write brief passages or reflections that address the question of why readers should care about their ancestral journey.
Session 5: Submitting Ancestral Memoir Excerpts for Publication (45 minutes):
Presentation:
- Outline the steps for polishing excerpts, researching publishers, and crafting query letters.
- Emphasize the significance of following submission guidelines.
Activity:
- Participants revise a short excerpt from their memoir, focusing on clarity, voice, and engagement.
- They research potential publishers and draft query letters for submission.
Conclusion:
- Recap key takeaways from the workshop.
- Encourage participants to continue refining their memoirs and pursuing publication opportunities.
- Thank participants for their participation and commitment to preserving and sharing their ancestral narratives.
Additional Resources:
- Provide participants with a list of recommended reading materials, websites, and writing tools for further exploration.
- Offer to remain available for questions or feedback as participants continue their memoir writing journey beyond the workshop.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to have prior writing experience to attend this workshop?
A: No prior writing experience is necessary. This workshop is designed to accommodate writers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned writers.
Q: Can I choose both chronological and thematic structures for my memoir?
A: While I encourage you to explore both structures during the workshop, for the sake of clarity and focus, I recommend choosing one structure to primarily guide your memoir’s organization.
Q: How personal do I need to get with my ancestral stories?
A: The level of personal detail you include in your memoir is entirely up to you. I encourage honesty and authenticity in sharing your stories, but you have full control over what you choose to disclose.
Q: What if I don’t know much about my ancestral journey?
A: That’s okay! The workshop will provide prompts and guidance to help you reflect on and explore your ancestral roots. You can draw on whatever knowledge you have, and the process may even help uncover new insights about your family history.
Q: How can I make my memoir relevant to contemporary issues?
A: I’ll discuss this during the workshop, but generally, consider how the lessons learned from your ancestors’ experiences can offer insights or parallels to current social, cultural, or political issues.
Q: Will there be opportunities to share our writing with others during the workshop?
A: While the workshop will primarily focus on individual writing activities, there may be optional opportunities for sharing and receiving feedback if time allows and if participants are comfortable.
Q: What if I’m interested in publishing my memoir but feel overwhelmed by the submission process?
A: Don’t worry! I’ll provide guidance on polishing your excerpt, researching suitable publishers, and crafting query letters. Additionally, you can always reach out for further assistance or clarification after the workshop.
Q: Is there a specific word count or length requirement for our memoir excerpts?
A: There’s no strict requirement for the length of your excerpt. Focus on selecting a passage that represents your memoir well and showcases your writing style effectively.
Q: Can I attend the workshop if I’m only interested in writing fiction or poetry, rather than memoir?
A: While the workshop is tailored specifically to memoir writing, the concepts and techniques discussed can be applicable to other forms of creative writing. You’re welcome to attend if you’re interested in exploring narrative structures, themes, and publishing processes.
Q: How can I stay connected with other workshop participants after the session ends?
A: I encourage participants to exchange contact information during the workshop if they wish to stay in touch. Additionally, I can provide resources for online writing communities or forums where you can continue sharing and receiving feedback on your writing.
Instructor Bio
Winner of the New York Times Award for Outstanding Journalism, I am an acclaimed writer and filmmaker, specializing in first-person, narrative nonfiction that examines the meaning of community, connection, and identity in Black communities. My work was featured in Memoir Land, CNN.com, CNN Español, Hearst Magazines, The Times of Israel, New Worlder, Ebony, and Panorama: The Journal of Intelligent Travel.
Currently, I am working on my memoir, Water in My Bones, and documentary film directorial debut, Return of the Black Madonna. Both projects trace my epic quest to learn to swim, dive, and map sunken slave ships with Black marine archeologists.
In addition, I produced and starred in Detroit Rising: How the Motor City Becomes a Restorative City, released in 2020. The five-part docuseries follows me as I witnessed restorative justice transform nearly every city sector during a time of racial reckoning. The series was an official selection of the San Francisco Independent Short Film Festival, called “illuminating” by The Mercury News, and won “Best Web Series” (2020) at the Cyrus International Film Festival.
Finally, I am the CEO and Founder of Woodbine Ventures, a media nonprofit dedicated to healing generational trauma and fostering Black joy through compelling storytelling and educational projects.