“I know no greater catalyst of creativity — in art or in life — than constraint. It is the boundaries, chosen or imposed, that give shape to our lives. Without the constraint of bones, there would be no wings.”
Memories often come to us in fragments and can be written and recorded out of sequence and stand alone. They can also be part of a larger collection (a memoir) that doesn’t follow a linear arc. By borrowing the container of Micro-Memoir (under 500 words), we will experiment with writing our life stories in authentic and innovative ways. “Writing short” can help us pay attention to sensory language, distill what is at the heart of our stories, and polish our craft through the practice of compression.
In this generative series, each class will include a close study of the craft, readings by excellent short-form memoirists including Abigail Thomas, Beth Ann Fennelly, and Maggie Smith, and plenty of prompts to play and experiment with ideas. Students are also invited to send two pieces to the instructor for 1:1 feedback. Come ready to experiment and discover the power of short forms to tell your big stories.
“Rayya’s workshop was both informative and surprising. Being exposed to such diversity in writing has set my creative juices flowing for the pure enjoyment of the craft!
Rayya’s knowledge and experience was inspiring. A compassionate, knowledgeable and supportive workshop leader, she made the workshop environment feel both spacious and communal. I loved it!”
UPDATE from Gail Purdy: “I am excited to share that "A Marriage Triptych" has just been published in Issue I of Last Syllable. This piece began to form in a workshop lead by Rayya Liebich. Thank you Rayya!”
Facilitated by Rayya Liebich,
Winner of the 2022 International Amy MacRae Award for Memoir.
Limited to 10 participants.
Cost: CAD$290 / USD$225 / £175 / AU$345
MORE MICRO MEMOIR WORKSHOPS COMING IN 2025!
If you’d like to be notified about the next workshop,
please click the button to join the waitlist:
Rayya Liebich is a writer and educator of Lebanese and Polish descent. A graduate of McGill University (B.A. English Literature) and The University of Victoria (B. Ed), she is the author of the award-winning chapbook Tell Me Everything (Beret Day Press) and poetry collection Min Hayati (Inanna Publications), and was the winner of the 2022 International Amy MacRae Award for Memoir. Currently obsessed with nonlinear forms of creative non-fiction, she is completing a hybrid memoir on her simultaneous experience of motherhood/mother-loss. She finds joy in teaching creative writing in Nelson, BC.
“I am so glad I took part in this class. I have come away inspired and with concrete ideas about how to proceed with my memoir and other writing, too.
I loved Rayya’s presence as a teacher: sensitive, kind and very aware. Her feedback on my writing was useful, kind and encouraging. I would love to work with her again, and I fully recommend her workshop to anyone ready to explore the freeing influence of structure.”
“Rayya was awesome! She provided such a safe space for us. She also had the perfect balance of teaching, allowing, and providing. I am beyond sad that the workshop is over!”
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at hello@alisonwearing.com.
