Mining Your Life for Story: Writing Creative Nonfiction Essays Inspired By Your Life Zoom Seminar, Tuesday, April 8th, 2025
Tuesday, April 8th, 2025
The class will meet via Zoom from 5:00PM - 8:00PM EST
Any questions about this class? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us.
Award-winning author and writing coach Lynne Golodner leads this one-time seminar about mining your life for stories. Learn how to find inspiration for writing, both nonfiction and fiction, from the people around you, your experiences, the rooms of your home and more! You’ll learn how to approach writing personal stories, when to use them just for family records legacy and when to consider publishing personal stories, and how to cultivate a steady stream of writing prompts from the details of your daily life.
Lynne is the author of ten books and thousands of articles and a marketing entrepreneur, writing coach and host of the Make Meaning Podcast. After working as a journalist in New York and Washington, D.C., Lynne returned to Detroit. She helps authors create writing careers, book marketing strategies and finish book projects. In 2023, Lynne founded Scotia Road Books, an independent publishing imprint for women over 40. Lynne’s writing has appeared in 45th Parallel, Moment Magazine, Great Lakes Review, Saveur, the Chicago Tribune, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, the Detroit Free Press, Porridge Magazine, the Jewish Literary Journal, The Good Life Review, Hadassah Magazine, The Forward, Valiant Scribe, Story Unlikely, The Dillydoun Review, QuibbleLit, bioStories and YourTango, among many more publications. Plus, one of her essays was a finalist in the Annie Dillard Creative Nonfiction contest at Bellingham Review.
In this one-time seminar, we’ll eliminate the frustration of not knowing what to write about by looking close to home for inspiration. Subject matter is all around you, all the time! This class will help you open your eyes and awaken your creativity to the myriad stories just waiting for you to tell them from your own life and experiences.
Writers will look at people, place, experiences, memories and more from their own lives, and learn how to write about them without intruding on other people’s privacy, without needing permission, and with a purpose that elevates each piece.
SEMINAR TOPICS:
Writing About People: We’ll look at how to respectfully and rightfully write about the people in our lives, even if they don’t want us to. And we’ll learn why everything we write has nothing to do with anyone else, but rather exists to impart a compelling and inspiring message for all readers.
Writing About Places: We’ll find inspiration from the places we’ve been and consider how the details of those places are representative of bigger stories and messages.
Writing From Memory: It’s hard to remember every detail – so how can you write compellingly about an experience you’ve had? We’ll explore how to write from memory, aiming for accuracy with some flexibility for when your memories lack details.
Publishing & Permissions: We’ll discuss how to write about real life without offending other people. Not everyone writes to publish, but everyone has the right to share their work with the world! We’ll explore individual goals and the purpose of writing, how to gather the courage to consider publishing pieces, and how to know when a piece of writing is ready to go out into the world.
COURSE TAKEAWAYS:
- Learn how to find inspiration from daily life and create an endless list of subject matter for writing
- Confront the fears that surround writing about real life
- Build courage and confidence to write creatively and consider publishing
- Harness memory, place, experience and relationship to create compelling writing
- Learn how to build scenes to create compelling writing using details, dialogue and action
- Gain insight into what it takes to create cohesive, compelling writing
- Embrace the idea that writing is 80% revision and learn how to revise with a keen eye
STUDENTS LOVE LYNNE:
"I really enjoyed my first Writing Workshop! I was surprised to find a class so perfectly geared toward what I needed and my skill and comfort level. I had no idea though of the inspiration, community, and support I would get from taking it. Lynne created an incredibly safe space for the class to come together, feel inspired, learn about ourselves and the craft of writing, and most importantly, to get us writing. I enjoyed the readings, and haven't felt this inspired to write in a long time. Well worth the cost and the risk of trying something new." -Ali S.
"Lynne Golodner offered an experience that improved my understanding of and skill with literary nonfiction writing. She offered responsive, insightful, and detailed suggestions that gave me ways to improve my writing. I am a beginner in this genre and her patience, expertise, and positive attitude motivated me to keep going. She was specific when saying 'show, don't tell, by suggesting action verbs, dialogue, using scenes, include sensory details, and more. Her "Finding Your Voice" class also offered a range of topics including suggestions of where to publish, how to publish, and ways to maintain on-going enthusiasm as I went deeper into my ideas, point of view, and reasons for creating essays. The class was an all-you-can-eat buffet!" -Dan F.
“This class has become the best part of my week.” -Olivet J.
"I have loved being with you and the other students, and the assignments have been great. You are a fabulous teacher.” -R.C.
"This was the finest writing/self-care combo I've done so far and I am truly grateful. I felt freed up; there was a flow that truly excited me and inspired me to continue the writing. You are a terrific teacher.” -Beth L.
"If you ever wanted motivation and input on your writing, this is a great workshop! Has helped me tremendously! I never considered myself as a writer but maybe just maybe I am becoming one!" -Beth M.
“Lynne’s writing workshop develops a writers resilience and creativity. Lynne challenged me to go deeper in my writing - to think beyond the words to the roots of experience. My writing is becoming stronger and more purposeful, and I have a renewed sense of confidence as I write my first book." -AB
"The writers workshop helped me explore a part of my personality and interests that I hadn't yet allowed myself to dig into. I feel more connected to who I am as a writer as well as all the other wonderful writers who participated. One of my favorite aspects of the workshop was being in a safe space, sharing a variety of pieces with people of different backgrounds and perspectives. Not only have I learned more about myself and others, but I have been exposed to so many new genres and writing topics. Thanks, Lynne!" -JR
"This was my first experience with a writing workshop and writing all together. I had such a wonderful experience that I signed up for Lynne's next workshop. I did not expect to come away with so much confidence! Lynne and the group were nurturing and wonderful. This workshop is for all levels of writers" -SA
"Lynne is changing my life. She keeps me accountable to my vision, and her confidence in me makes a huge difference." -Noreen E.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity to be surrounded by such inspiring women with exquisite instruction.” -Emily P.
“Thank you for being so encouraging.” -Betsy C.
"Lynne's workshop has provided me with the opportunity to receive quality feedback and editorial expertise in response to the work that I have chosen to share with this great group of ladies" -MN
ONLINE COURSE STRUCTURE:
This class will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 from 5 - 8PM EST.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
You can pay for the course in full or use Shop Pay or Affirm to pay over time with equal Monthly Payments. Both options are available at checkout.
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Seminar is on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025, 5 - 8PM EST
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Class will meet via Zoom
If you have questions, please us the Chat Button or contact us via email HERE.