Writing Your Memoir (2 day)

"No bird soars too high
If he soars with his own wings."
- William Blake

In Remembrances of Things Past, French writer Marcel Proust conquered time in autobiography by exploring the self. He invented nothing, but altered everything. He did this by finding his own unique voice. We are our past. The way you discover other people’s stories is how we access our own. Dare to be personal and know that the universal rests in the specific.

Art connects us. By opening ourselves and sharing our unique stories, we allow that connection so vital to living.

Join us for a special weekend intensive online session on the journey of memoir writing with VAWAA Guest artist and award-winning playwright, screenwriter and author Catherine Ann Jones (Calamity Jane, Unlikely Angel, Touched by an Angel series). 

In four 90 minute interactive sessions over the course of one weekend, we'll be uncovering unique stories by exploring our lives and memories through a writer's lens. 

On Saturday August 20th and Sunday August 21st we will be starting at 12PM EST with the first 90 minute session, and reconvening for the second half at 4PM EST.  

All levels are welcome. There will be plenty of time to share, get feedback and meet other participants from around the world.

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time. For example, If you are in PST the sessions will begin at 9AM.

What to expect

• The key elements of writing a compelling memoir.
• Writing prompts to awaken your story.
• Finding your unique voice and style.
• Focus on theme: What is your message?
• Bringing the characters in your story alive.
• Bringing your story to life in your own unique voice.

What you'll need

A notepad and pen/pencil.

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. We'll send the link and details to join via email 1 day and again 1 hour before it begins.

About Catherine

Catherine Ann Jones is an award-winning author (7 books), playwright (11 produced) & screenwriter whose films include Unlikely Angel, The Christmas Wife,and the popular series, Touched by an Angel. A Fulbright Scholar to India studying shamanism, author of The Way of Story and Heal Your Self with Writing. Over 20 years teaching graduate school and writing workshops both here (Esalen, Omega) and abroad. Over 56,000 subscribers to her six online courses. www.wayofstory.com

Reviews

“Catherine Ann Jones is a genius at using a wide range of techniques to help you unlock emotional touchstones. After experiencing workshops with such past luminaries as Joseph Campbell and Gregory Bateson, I can honestly say that Catherine’s workshop was the most enjoyable I've ever attended." 

"It was a very meaningful, generative, and authentic experience. The workshop not only re-ignited my creative spark, but it also put me on a path for inner growth."  

"Thank you, Catherine, for the grounded, authentic guidance. It was what I needed to open myheart and propel forward towards a more fulfilling life. I felt embraced, understood, and heard."

"Catherine A. Jone's class helped me tap into obstacles that have held me back as a writer." - Dorothea

"Catherine was so engaging, and her prompts were powerful tools to unlock the mysteries of our personal stories. It was helpful to have multiple sessions as that kept me in process all weekend. Writing like this is a new experience for me, and although I did not share my writing out loud to the group, by the end I started to gain the confidence I need to keep pursuing writing as an outlet for my own creativity. Thank you to all the other participants, whose voices were filled with life. Their stories spilled out like treasures - things lost, but now found. I am inspired and grateful to you all. 

This is the second Vawaa experience I have undertaken, and I am more than pleased. I feel refreshed, renewed, and sent off to do wonderful things. Thank you for the offering!" - Anne

"I’m a amazed that over zoom such an intimate experience can be had. Loved this writing/creative workshop with Catherine." - Elizabeth

"This was a fantastic writing workshop - whether you've published books or you're dipping your toe into writing, everyone has something to gain from Catherine's tips, exercises, and prompts. I would absolutely take another course from Catherine. 30 people in the course was a great amount, allowing for discussion and light workshopping. Fantastic offering, VAWAA!" - Meg

"Catherine Ann Jones is brilliant, I love her workshops, I don't care what the topic is, I just wish I could attend all of them!" - Meryl

"I asked for a teaching on structure and Catherine taught me with an exercise how find the structure that already existed in my heart. What a blessing this workshop has been and what beautiful healing I felt and feel. Thank you from my deepest heart, Catherine!" - Tessa

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Image: Photo by Zakaria Ahada on Unsplash