Everyone has stories. Memoir begins when we discover how these stories have transformed us in a meaningful way.
In this four-week workshop, bestselling author and memoirist Marianne Richmond will guide writers through the process of turning lived experience into meaningful narrative. Using the framework Choose • Shape • Share, you’ll uncover the heart of your memoir, explore memoir as an argument, and learn how to craft experiences into compelling stories for readers.
Through guided writing prompts, discussion, and feedback, this class explores theme, voice, scene, reflection, revision, and the deeper “so what?” behind your story. We’ll also discuss publishing pathways and what today’s authors need to know about reaching readers. Because memoir often explores vulnerable experiences, Marianne facilitates with trauma-informed practices that emphasize choice, respect, and emotional safety.
This workshop is for writers ready to actively engage with their stories. No finished manuscript is required—only curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to put words on the page during class and between sessions.
USA TODAY bestselling children’s author, memoirist, speaker, and founder of Brave on the Page™ writing workshops, Marianne Richmond has spent more than three decades helping people of all ages find courage, connection, and self-expression through stories and writing. Informed by a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, she creates welcoming spaces where people can explore the stories that have shaped their lives and discover the meaning they hold.
With more than 60 children's books and over 9 million copies sold worldwide, Marianne writes for what she calls the "unique everybody." "Our stories are different, and our feelings are a lot the same," she says. Her recent picture book, The World is Awaiting You, was named Target's 2024 Picture Book of the Year. Her memoir, IF YOU WERE MY DAUGHTER, chronicles her journey of healing an unmothered heart and reveals the deeper why behind much of her creative work.
Marianne lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with her family. Learn more at mariannerichmond.com.
