Memoir Writing classes
2026
How do you preserve and explore the stories of your past?
What do you weave when you pull on the threads of your life?
JUMP START YOUR MEMOIR 6 week class
In this six session class, students will identify themes for memoir writing, experiment with flash fiction writing styles and put it all together in a potent story from their life. Class will meet every other week on zoom for 6 sessions, 2-4pm PST.
6 Thursdays, 2-4pm PST
March 12 - May 21 , 2026
meeting every other week
Cost: $325
To register, click the 'buy now' button above. Once I receive your registration I will send you the zoom link! To find out about sliding scale or scholarships, contact:
Sheila at
[email protected]
TWELVE WINDOWS: WRITING LIFE'S VIGNETTES:
Twelve Windows is a transformative year-long memoir writing journey that combines the art of storytelling with the healing power of self-expression.Opening the windows of memory, you will be guided to write the potent stories from your life. Rather than tell the whole story of your life, you'll be collecting the sparkling gems of memory – those moments that shimmer with significance. The project will culminate in a self-published collection of your writing and a celebratory book reading.
For each class I will offer a writing prompt using poetry, movement, quotes or images. Using the Rogue Writing process, we will write freely, aiming to tap into the fast moving current of memory, imagery and story that is always flowing just beneath the surface. You can choose to write in a story form, poetry, prose or all three!
You will have the opportunity to read your work and receive feedback on what resonates and where there may be space to deepen your story.
We will meet once a month in person (on zoom) experiencing the magic that happens when we share our stories with each other and make the commitment to write together over a period of time. In between sessions, you will receive a monthly guided prompt and meet with a small group for feedback on your writing.
No writing experience is needed to join, just a desire to explore your stories and put them down in writing! To register, click the 'buy now' button at the bottom of this page. We have a limited number of sliding scale spots available. To find out more, contact:
Sheila at [email protected]
Second Saturday of each month 9:30-11am PST
January 10- November 14, 2026
Celebratory Book Reading November 21st, 11am PST
**2026 class is sold out**
To hear about future classes join our mailing list here.
Program Includes
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’ve never written anything before?
Beginners are welcome! No particular writing skills are necessary. We all have stories to tell and the process of putting those stories into writing can be a liberating act of self-discovery and connection. Rather than aim for perfection in your writing, aim for telling the truth about the stories only you can tell.
What if I want to write about a single time period of my life?
Instead of twelve windows of time throughout your life, you can choose to delve deeply into one year or chapter of your life. A great example of following the thread of one story is Maggie Smith’s memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful. She writes about the year of her divorce, using poetry, songs, playwriting and prose to tell her story. Often narrowing the focus of your story — to a single theme, for instance, or one location, journey, relationship, period of life — will liberate it, creating a solid container to hold your story.
What makes this memoir writing class unique?
A few things! One, we'll be meeting on-line, in person, with a group limited to 10 participants, once a month. Magic happens when we write together in an intimate community!
Two, this is a class designed for writers who are just beginning their journey of writing. I will provide various prompts to help you discover the seeds of your story. Third, I bring my background in expressive arts to the class, offering an embodied approach to writing. I'll be suggesting grounding meditations, movement explorations and even a few energetic drawing activities.
What if nothing extraordinary has happened in my life?
To you, your life may seem ordinary, but to others, your ordinary life is new and fresh, there’s nothing like it! It is the ordinary truths of life that often create the deepest sense of meaning and connection with a reader. Trust that you have something unique and important to offer.
Couldn’t I just do this on my own?
Some people may prefer writing on their own, but I find making a commitment to be part of a writing community provides the support and accountability needed to get started and continue writing. It tells the world around you that you are serious about making time for yourself, your voice, your stories and your creativity. We long to connect through our stories, and I deeply value the relationships that are formed through the vulnerable act of sharing our stories. In this course you will also be writing on your own in between our monthly meeting times, spending as much time as you like adding to and refining your stories.
How will we publish our work?
You will have a few options for self-publishing your writing. You may choose to make a book by hand with your text formatted in a word processing program; you may use an online self-publishing site like WordWright, Blurb, or Canva. If you want to formally publish your writing I can connect you with local book publishers. Each person will be responsible for covering their own publishing costs.
Program Dates
Details
Cancellation Policy
In this six session class, students will identify themes for memoir writing, experiment with flash fiction writing styles and put it all together in a potent story from their life. Class will meet every other week on zoom for 6 sessions, 2-4pm PST.
6 Thursdays, 2-4pm PST
March 12 - May 21 , 2026
meeting every other week
Cost: $325
To register, click the 'buy now' button above. Once I receive your registration I will send you the zoom link! To find out about sliding scale or scholarships, contact:
Sheila at
[email protected]
TWELVE WINDOWS: WRITING LIFE'S VIGNETTES:
Twelve Windows is a transformative year-long memoir writing journey that combines the art of storytelling with the healing power of self-expression.Opening the windows of memory, you will be guided to write the potent stories from your life. Rather than tell the whole story of your life, you'll be collecting the sparkling gems of memory – those moments that shimmer with significance. The project will culminate in a self-published collection of your writing and a celebratory book reading.
For each class I will offer a writing prompt using poetry, movement, quotes or images. Using the Rogue Writing process, we will write freely, aiming to tap into the fast moving current of memory, imagery and story that is always flowing just beneath the surface. You can choose to write in a story form, poetry, prose or all three!
You will have the opportunity to read your work and receive feedback on what resonates and where there may be space to deepen your story.
We will meet once a month in person (on zoom) experiencing the magic that happens when we share our stories with each other and make the commitment to write together over a period of time. In between sessions, you will receive a monthly guided prompt and meet with a small group for feedback on your writing.
No writing experience is needed to join, just a desire to explore your stories and put them down in writing! To register, click the 'buy now' button at the bottom of this page. We have a limited number of sliding scale spots available. To find out more, contact:
Sheila at [email protected]
Second Saturday of each month 9:30-11am PST
January 10- November 14, 2026
Celebratory Book Reading November 21st, 11am PST
**2026 class is sold out**
To hear about future classes join our mailing list here.
Program Includes
- One online meeting per month. This will take place on the second Saturday of each month.
- Recordings of the meeting will be available to participants who cannot attend.
- One self-scheduled check-in per month with another participant from the group. This may be as simple as a text message or you may choose to meet on zoom to write together or to share supportive feedback.
- Monthly inspirational prompt on the fourth Thursday of each month
- The course will require two-three hours/month time commitment outside of our monthly class meeting.
- You will be part of a supportive community of writers guided by Sheila Bannon, teacher of Rogue Writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’ve never written anything before?
Beginners are welcome! No particular writing skills are necessary. We all have stories to tell and the process of putting those stories into writing can be a liberating act of self-discovery and connection. Rather than aim for perfection in your writing, aim for telling the truth about the stories only you can tell.
What if I want to write about a single time period of my life?
Instead of twelve windows of time throughout your life, you can choose to delve deeply into one year or chapter of your life. A great example of following the thread of one story is Maggie Smith’s memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful. She writes about the year of her divorce, using poetry, songs, playwriting and prose to tell her story. Often narrowing the focus of your story — to a single theme, for instance, or one location, journey, relationship, period of life — will liberate it, creating a solid container to hold your story.
What makes this memoir writing class unique?
A few things! One, we'll be meeting on-line, in person, with a group limited to 10 participants, once a month. Magic happens when we write together in an intimate community!
Two, this is a class designed for writers who are just beginning their journey of writing. I will provide various prompts to help you discover the seeds of your story. Third, I bring my background in expressive arts to the class, offering an embodied approach to writing. I'll be suggesting grounding meditations, movement explorations and even a few energetic drawing activities.
What if nothing extraordinary has happened in my life?
To you, your life may seem ordinary, but to others, your ordinary life is new and fresh, there’s nothing like it! It is the ordinary truths of life that often create the deepest sense of meaning and connection with a reader. Trust that you have something unique and important to offer.
Couldn’t I just do this on my own?
Some people may prefer writing on their own, but I find making a commitment to be part of a writing community provides the support and accountability needed to get started and continue writing. It tells the world around you that you are serious about making time for yourself, your voice, your stories and your creativity. We long to connect through our stories, and I deeply value the relationships that are formed through the vulnerable act of sharing our stories. In this course you will also be writing on your own in between our monthly meeting times, spending as much time as you like adding to and refining your stories.
How will we publish our work?
You will have a few options for self-publishing your writing. You may choose to make a book by hand with your text formatted in a word processing program; you may use an online self-publishing site like WordWright, Blurb, or Canva. If you want to formally publish your writing I can connect you with local book publishers. Each person will be responsible for covering their own publishing costs.
Program Dates
- Second Saturday of each month beginning January 10, 2026 and ending with a celebratory book reading on November 21st.
- All meeting times are: 9:30 - 11:00 am PST
Details
- Program fee: $590.
- Sliding scale available, email Sheila at [email protected] to arrange
- Format: online zoom meetings, recorded
Cancellation Policy
- $100 cancellation fee – On or before Jan 7, 2026 by 5:00pm US Pacific Time
- No refunds: Choice of Open credit or scholarship fund donation – January 11- February 7, 2025 (after the second class)
- No refunds and no open credits after February 8th, 2025
Click to set custom HTML
|
|
