Are you ready to dive deep into the heart of your personal stories and craft them into powerful, creative nonfiction?
Exploring Memoir is your gateway to discovering the art of writing memoir, where your personal experiences shape narratives that resonate, heal, and inspire. This 4-week course is designed for those new to memoir writing, giving you the tools to reflect, create, and connect with your unique voice.
Whether you're a new writer who's always wanted to tell your story, or an artist looking to explore a new medium, this class will guide you step-by-step through the essential elements of memoir writing. From tapping into your memories to shaping your story's tone and style, you'll learn to craft a memoir that not only reflects your human experience but also creates an emotional bridge with readers.
You'll explore themes of identity, healing, and creative expression through works by Elizabeth Gilbert, Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, Javier Zamora and others, whose words will inspire and inform your journey.
Who Should Sign Up?
- Aspiring Writers: If you've always wanted to write but don't know where to start, this course will give you the foundation and confidence to begin your memoir
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Artists & Creatives: If you're an artist who thrives on personal expression, memoir writing offers a new way to channel your creative energy into a meaningful narrative
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Those Seeking Healing Through Writing: Writing about our lives is a path to self-discovery and healing. This course provides a safe, supportive environment to explore your memories and experiences with intention and creativity.
Each class includes:
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Writing Prompts: Exercises designed to spark creativity and guide your writing process
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Book Recommendations: Readings from the memoirs of Elizabeth Gilbert, Roxane Gay, Jacqueline Woodson, Javier Zamora, and more to inspire your work
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Homework Assignments: Opportunities to expand on class lessons and continue writing outside of our sessions
This course will provide a foundation to create a powerful memoir that tells your story with heart, intention, and creativity.
Open to beginner writers.
All class meetings will be held via Zoom. The link to join your Zoom classroom will be provided on the morning of your class. Please check spam folders if you do not receive an email confirmation upon registration. For more information on how to download or use Zoom, please click here.
Meet Your Instructor:
Dhayana Alejandrina
Dhayana Alejandrina is a Dominican poet, speaker, community facilitator, and creative writing mentor. Her literary journey began at the age of nine in Santo Domingo and continued after immigrating to the U.S. in 2009. Her work, which centers on growth, culture, identity, and healing, has been featured in outlets such as the LA Times, Al Día Newspaper, #WeAllGrow Latina, Black Writers Weekend, and Penguin India Publishing. In 2021, she published 'Agridulce', a collection of prose and poetry that explores self-awareness through embracing emotions and lived experiences. Dhayana is also the founder of The Creative Hour, a space where writers and creatives gather to connect and work on their craft.
Course Takeaways
- A solid foundation for beginners, covering essential topics such as types of memoirs, memory mining, voice development, structure, and theme selection, to guide students in telling their personal stories
- Memoir writing is presented as a tool for inner healing and self-discovery. Students are encouraged to explore their personal experiences and emotions in a supportive environment, allowing for creative growth and emotional expression
- Learn from the works of celebrated writers including Jacqueline Woodson, Roxane Gay, and Javier Zamora, whose memoirs illustrate the power of personal storytelling and provide insights into crafting authentic narratives
- With a blend of writing prompts, book recommendations, and homework assignments, students will experience hands-on activities that help them apply what they've learned and progressively develop their memoirs
- Benefit from a collaborative atmosphere where they can share their writing, receive constructive feedback, and connect with fellow aspiring memoirists, fostering a sense of belonging and encouragement.
Course Expectations
- Complete assignments and be prepared to share your experiences, insights, and moments of realization in class
- We’re here to support each other. Let’s be kind and respectful when giving feedback. Your voice matters—don’t hesitate to share your thoughts!
- Keep an open mind and celebrate our diverse perspectives and styles. We can learn a lot from each other
- Give your full attention when someone is speaking or sharing their work. Everyone deserves to be heard
- Most importantly, have fun! Writing is a wonderful way to explore your creativity and express yourself.
Course Skeleton
- Week 1: Introduction to Memoir Writing
- Week 2: Memory Mining
- Week 3: Finding Your Voice
- Week 4: Selecting Your Structure and Theme
We offer full refunds for cancellation with written notice up until 7 days before your class start date. From 6 days to more than 24 hours before class begins, we offer a 25% refund. If you drop a class less than 24 hours before the class begins or after it has started, you are ineligible for a refund.
