Welcome to Story Circles.
Writing micro-memoir workshop. The art of compact storytelling.
Do you have a story to tell?
They say everyone’s got a book in them, but who’s got time to write a book? Instead, beautifully craft a story from your life in just one page.
Would you like to write about an important event or time in your life?
Micro-memoir is a writing genre that can hold a complex story within 700 words or less. Bring your stories to life without getting bogged in tons of words or years of work.
During this course we explore what micro-memoir is and how to use it. Through guided exercises and discussion, we deep dive into narrative techniques and writing skills that support and enhance storytelling in limited word counts. The skills we use to craft micro-memoir are transferable and can help sharpen all other forms of writing. Come and explore compact storytelling and bring your unique story to the page with focus and compression.
Workshop participants draft, craft and refine at least one micro-memoir. No previous writing experience is necessary.
Please check the events page for upcoming workshops.
If you’d prefer a personal one-to-one workshop with Dettra, please get in touch via the contact page.
We are creating a Story Circles library of micro-memoirs.
The content is continually expanding as we add more stories.
These micro-memoirs are as varied and unique as the people who authored them.
You may find some beautiful, deep, rich, unique, funny, touching, sad, uplifting,
Some capture very challenging life situations and bravely share pain and vulnerability.
Please take your time reading the stories. We hope reader and writer connect
within the spaces and words. Visit the collection
Testimonials
I didn’t know what to expect from the writing workshop. i was so surprised at how powerful it was. i actually found it deeply healing to express myself in this way with the guidelines laid down. It’s opened a whole new world of self-expression that i never knew existed. I’m so surprised it could be so deep, so satisfying and so cathartic. i highly recommend this program to just about everyone to find that voice you didn’t know you had.
Fiona Paynter
It was wonderful to return to writing after so many years. I wrote last time in my native language, so writing in English was a real challenge — but Dettra helped every step of the way. Her feedback and insights helped me draw out the moments that truly mattered. Writing something personal runs deep and Dettra has a gift for helping us find our own voice. Thank you Dettra for sharing your magic with us and holding such a supportive and beautiful space.
Ania Dlugoleca
I can’t wait for her next workshop. So many stories of mine are now putting up their hands, wanting to be told. I need a container like the one Dettra offers to help them come out from their hiding places. My favourite part was personal attention, patience, cheerleading and appreciation shown to me and my story by Dettra. I was greatly inspired. Writing, my micro-memoir helped me love and understand myself better, and those around me, also those from my past. I loved this workshop.
Sandahno Moorsteen
FAQ’s.
What is a micro-memoir?
It’s a personal story about an event or time in your life written in 700 words or less. It is not a mini memoir of your entire life.
I’m no writer it sounds way too hard. I haven’t written anything creative since school.
No worries. Come along and give it your best shot. We don’t need to be ‘writers’ or have any previous writing experience to tell our own life stories. The workshop offers a supportive process for drafting, crafting and refining your piece. To kick off with, there are some writing tips below.
What if I can’t think of anything to write about?
No problem. At every workshop there are optional themes, which can help generate ideas. For example, have you overcome a situation you thought would break you? When were you really brave? Loving? Risk-taking? Wild? Grieving?
Can I write about anything that’s happened in my life?
Yes, but please do so without hatred, racism, sexual violence, cruelty, violence that is not contextual, sexism, blaming or finger pointing particular communities or groups. Please read The Alchemy of Storytelling page for further clarity on story content.
Can I have my micro-memoir published in the Story Circles library?
Not all micro-memoirs written by workshop participants will be published, but many will. Some people may not want their story made public.
What is the purpose of the Story Circles library?
Our lives are rich with experiences that others can benefit from hearing, but often we don’t have the platform to share these with our wider community. Hearing other people’s life experiences can generate understanding and inform us about our own.
Storytelling is a timeless way we’ve passed on culture and wisdom, conveyed experience, expressed feelings and generated understanding.
Our stories are precious cargo. We’d love to hear yours.
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Write about an experience, An event. Not an opinion piece or article. Keep it personal, about you. You are the main character. Keep the story lens up close.
Think about the challenges you faced and how these may have gained momentum and got even harder.
What was the tuning point?
How did things start to change?
How did the challenges resolve, internally and externally?
You don’t have to follow this format. If your story takes a different route, that’s okay too. Write it your way.
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Take out sentences that are more or less saying the same thing.
Take out details that are not really important for the story.
Try halving the wordcount of your story. What happens?
Read it out loud and record it. How long does it take? when you listen, consider if there’s anything you’d like to change to make it stronger or flow better.
Don’t be afraid to draft and rewrite. This all part of writing.
As most of us get nervous reading in front of people, practise. Breathe, imagine you’re reading your story to a child and take your time.
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What would you like your listeners to feel?
What feelings does your story generate?
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Stories can generate fear, hopelessness, despair and anxiety. I’ve read stories that left me stuck in the emotional violence of the piece. Suffering, trauma and shocking the reader seemed to be the major focus and as I see it, this isn’t healthy or helpful. I’m not suggesting that we don’t write about difficult or traumatic events. I’m suggesting that we don’t reinforce trauma by disproportionately focusing on it. Please do not dwell on emotional or physical violence, fear or trauma. Pay close attention to the balance of the story. How did situations evolve and change?
Story Circles exists to generate understanding, empathy and connection. For further clarity please read the Alchemy of Storytelling page.