Memoir and Life Writing Workshop – Tell Your Story

Learn how to write a memoir with our writing short courses in Sydney!

Put simply, life experience, combined with a desire to write, qualifies you to tell your own story. Our experiences shape us and inform our world view, and nobody navigates life without struggle. Our personal circumstances, our observations of the world, and our personalities make us all unique individuals, and therefore the narratives of our lives are just as unique.

We will read, discuss and be inspired by excerpts from exemplary life-writing texts. With in-class writing exercises, we will focus on aspects of memoir writing and you will have the opportunity to share your work in a confidential and nurturing environment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this creative writing course, you should be able to:

• Finding the core of your personal story – memories, life events and key themes
• Melding fiction and non-fiction writing techniques
• Apply detail, emotional and creative writing techniques to bring your writing to life
• Identify avenues of print and publication available in Australia.

Course content

What will be covered in this memoir writing course?

• Telling your truth - Memoir, Autobiography and the Personal Essay
• Sources and Memory
• Finding your voice
• Detail, drama, dialogue
• Structure: shaping your narrative and finding your key story
• Workshopping and feedback of writing excerpts

Please note: This is an interactive course and requires regular input from all participants.

Intended audience

Who is this memoir writing course for?

This memoir writing course is ideal for beginners and aspiring writers who want to explore personal storytelling. It’s also perfect for those who’ve already started writing their life stories and are looking to refine their voice, structure their narratives, and deepen their understanding of the memoir genre.

Course venue

Rozelle Campus

2A Gordon Street, Rozelle NSW 2039 (corner of Gordon St & Victoria Rd in the grounds of St. Joseph's Church)

Course materials

What to bring to class 

• A notebook with removable pages and and a pen or pencil
• A laptop or writing device (optional)