A memoir writing class designed for writers who are ready to explore their lives on the page with curiosity, care, and intention. This course is for beginners who are both reflective and craft-forward. Through close reading of a memoir, guided prompts, group discussion, and communal reflection, participants will explore the themes, turning points, and relationships that have shaped their lives. Together, we will practice noticing what moments hold energy and meaning, without pressure to get it “right.”

Class time will focus on discussion, creative activities, and reflection, while the majority of writing will take place outside of class, allowing participants to take advantage of the quiet and beauty of The Clearing. Writers will experiment, listen deeply, and trust what rises.

By the end of the week, participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the stories they want to tell, a visual snapshot map of their memoir’s core moments, and a renewed relationship to writing as a liberating and joyful practice. Heather will contact students prior to class

Heather ‘Byrd’, named a Living Legacy by Brooks Permissions, is an ancestral guided international award-winning poet and esteemed writing coach, and a catalyst of voice, story, and badassery. She is a giver of giggles and hugs, the queen of quirky and the author of the guided journal, Igniting Ink: 30-Day Writing Journey and her chapbook Mahogany: A Love Letter To Black. Byrd’s accomplishments extend far and wide, including being celebrated in numerous festivals and publications, including Cagibi, Expressions from Englewood, Hope Ignited, and Trouble The Waters: Tales from the Deep Blue – a finalist for the World Fantasy Award and Locus Award. She has been recognized for her editorial and curation of the diversity, equity, and inclusion edition of the “I See You” issue of the Cornell Report, earning her the International Anthem Award alongside industry giants like Google, HBO Max, BBC, National Geographic, and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. In a world that needs amplification for the voices of women of color, Byrd ensures each person is heard, celebrated, and seen. Her favorite words are balloon and bubble.

Level: Beginner