Share your unique story with the world
Introduction to Personal Storytelling and Memoir Writing is ideal if you would like to unlock your creativity by writing about your lived experience.
You will:
Discover the power of writing about your own life
Learn a framework to help you tell engaging stories
Gain lifelong writing skills you can use in any situation
Understand how your stories can help others
Find an outlet for expression and creativity
Empower individuals to tap into the stories they want to tell
“This is one of the best things I have done in my life. This has been an amazing experience. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to do this course. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
– Linda
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Duration 1
This is an online course
Opens: Monday 3 February 2025 Start any time during the week
Duration:
6 weeks Allow 3–4 hours per week
Feedback:
Weekly $650 | |||||
Welcome to the course
Whether you want to write about the lighter side of life or a more challenging experience, Introduction to Personal Storytelling and Memoir Writing will give you the framework to ensure that your writing is compelling and powerful. In this comprehensive course, you'll learn the essential skills and techniques to transform your personal experiences and ideas into meaningful stories that will resonate with readers.
Each module focuses on a different aspect of telling stories from your own life experiences. The modules in the course build on the ones that come before, giving you a strong foundation where you will feel confident in telling your own stories.
The course also equips participants with foundational skills in writing about your truth and empower you with self-belief. You’ll also discover the power and benefits of self-expression.
The modules will include:
- how to write a compelling scene
- writing the senses
- understanding the structure of a good story
- how to keep readers turning the page
- writing about other people (characters)
- how much to bare on the page and how much to keep to yourself
- what to write about
- the healing power of words
- how to be a good storyteller
- And much more.
Enjoy the benefits of your online classroom
- This course gives you access to your own online classroom, where you’ll be able to connect with other classmates and share your stories with each other in a supportive environment – with people who share your passion!
- Your class also has its own online tutor – on hand and online for any questions you may have and to provide personal feedback on your work. Our tutors are experienced experts with years of knowledge to draw on. They’re your secret weapon!
- Each Monday we’ll release a new learning module in the form of video lessons, along with handouts and other resources. You can choose to save the audio and listen to it later – perhaps during your favourite walk or in the commute in the car. It’s up to you!
- A fan of 9am starts? Easy. 2pm before the kids get home? Sure. 10pm? 5am? You choose the time and place that best suits your schedule. A practical weekly assignment (assessed by your tutor) will help you stay on track and gauge your progress along the way.
“I am going to get right onto starting a memoir… if it helps others great, but at the very least it will help me.”
Cath
How does the online course work?
When you enrol:
- You’ll receive login details to access your online course.
- Your course contains six weekly modules, each with video lessons and handouts.
- Each week, you can submit an assignment and receive feedback from your tutor.
- There are no set class times – complete each module when it suits you during the week.
- We suggest allowing 3-4 hours per week to complete each module and assignment.
- You can post questions and comments in the classroom and get to know your classmates.
- You’ll be able to enjoy access to the course for a full year – plenty of time to revisit your lessons and refresh your knowledge whenever you need.
You’ll receive:
- Instructional videos and comprehensive lessons
- Practical templates and handouts
- Interviews from people who have harnessed the power of writing about their lived experience
- Engaging exercises to enhance your writing skills
- Guidelines on how to get the most out of journalling
- Weekly writing tasks where you’ll receive personal feedback from your tutor
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I want to write fiction. Is this course for me?
A: No. If you want to write fiction please enrol in Creative Writing Stage 1, which is more suited to fiction writers. Introduction to Personal Storytelling and Memoir Writing is for people who want to write about their real life experiences.
Q: Do I need to have a story or book idea before I start?
A: Not at all. This is an introductory course so we’re easing into the world of personal storytelling and memoir writing. You may just have a creative urge to write about your life but you’re not sure where you want to take that. This is the ideal course to start with. By the end of the course, it’s very likely that you will understand your next steps and have a much clearer idea of the stories or book that you may want to write.
Q: I do want to write a book. Will I have a book by the end of this course?
A: This course is six weeks. You won’t have written a book by the end of the course but you will certainly gain essentials skills that will help you in writing a full length memoir. If you decide that is what you’d like to do, you might like to follow up with Creative Non-fiction or Novel Writing Essentials, depending on your specific goals.
Q: How many others will be in the class – and are they all experienced writers?
A: The online classroom is a supportive learning environment and we purposefully keep classes small to make everyone more comfortable (no more than approx. 20 people per class). Everyone is there to learn and no experience is necessary, so you don't need to worry about being out of your depth.
Q: How does the online tutored class work exactly?
A: Each Monday, a new course module will be made available. You can choose any time that week to go through it – there is no set class time. Through the online learning hub, you can chat to classmates and your online tutor and get feedback on your weekly assignments (due each Sunday night).
Q: I'm a busy parent and work full-time. Can I fit this in?
A: Please know that your assignments are optional! Plus: most of our students are busy people just like you. This course is flexible so that all you need to find is a few extra hours in the week, not necessarily all at once. You've totally got this!
Q: Do I need to share my writing with other students and my tutor?
A: There are two types of writing that we encourage you to undertake during this course. One type is writing that is for your eyes only. You do not have to share it with anyone. The second type is your assignment, which you will share with the class. However, please note that you are in full control of what you choose to share.
By the end of this course, you will have:
| KNOWLEDGE: | of all the important elements that work together to create engaging stories. |
| CONFIDENCE: | in your writing abilities and as a creative human being. Knowledge is powerful stuff! |
| INSPIRATION: | from your online tutor, other classmates and the fabulous creative community. You’ll be buzzing with new ideas, techniques and insight into creating compelling stories – that you can immediately apply to your own writing. |
| MOTIVATION: | to pursue further writing goals such as writing first person pieces or even a full-length memoir. You’ll also have the momentum to succeed, thanks to plenty of online resources and 12 months' access to all online course materials. |
| Key information | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key information: | |||||
Duration 1
This is an online course
Opens: Monday 3 February 2025 Start any time during the week
Duration:
6 weeks Allow 3–4 hours per week
Feedback:
Weekly $650 | |||||
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