“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.”
MICRO-MEMOIR WEEKEND INTENSIVE: July 26 & 27!
Saturday, July 26: 12pm-3pm ET (9am-12pm PT)
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Sunday, July 27: 3pm-6pm ET (12pm-3pm PT)
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 we will experiment with writing our life stories in authentic and innovative ways.
Over the course of two days, we will study and read great examples (Abigail Thomas, Beth Ann Fennelly, Maggie Smith and more) and you will generate several new pieces. These short pieces can be a great way to get your work published, as it can be easier to place a short story than a longer one [see below!].
Come ready to experiment and discover the power of short forms to tell your big stories.
⭐️ PLEASE NOTE: If you’ve taken the 4-week Micro Memoir Workshop before, this Weekend Intensive offers the same material in a shorter, more concentrated format—perfect if you're looking for a refresher, but not recommended if you're looking for new content.
“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.
COST:
CAD$150 / USD$120
HOW TO REGISTER:
Space is limited in this weekend intensive. To register, select your preferred currency to make your deposit to confirm your participation.
The weekend intensive will take place over Zoom, the links will be sent to you before the program begins on July 26, 2025.
If the payment form indicates the event is sold out, add your name to the waitlist to be notified of a cancellation and email heather@alisonwearing.com:
Rayya Liebich
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!”
Would you like to be notified of future workshop dates?
If you’d like to be notified about the next workshop,
please click the button to join the waitlist:
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at hello@alisonwearing.com.
