““We read other people’s stories to understand their lives. We write our stories to understand our own.””
Start Your Story: The Magic of Memoir
With award-winning author and memoir coach Anne Bokma
A workshop for community organizations, women's groups, volunteer associations and liberal spiritual communities.
Everyone has a story worth telling. What's yours?
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you," wrote Maya Angelou.
Whether you've always dreamed of writing your life stories or simply want to preserve a meaningful memory, this engaging 2- to 2.5-hour workshop will help you take the first step.
Through inspiring examples, practical guidance, and thoughtfully designed writing exercises, you'll discover what makes memoir so powerful—and how to transform your own experiences into compelling stories.
You don't need writing experience—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.
By the end of the workshop, you'll leave with:
A deeper understanding of the art of memoir
Ideas for stories only you can tell
Practical tools to bring memories vividly to life
A completed opening for your memoir
You may arrive thinking you have nothing to write about. You'll leave realizing your life is full of stories waiting to be told.
Available in person and on Zoom.
Your workshop leader:
Anne Bokma is an award-winning journalist & author, as well as a memoir coach and writing retreat/workshop leader. She is the founder and organizer of the 6-Minute Memoir, a live annual storytelling event in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.
Her memoir, My Year of Living Spiritually: One Woman’s Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life won the nonfiction book award and Kerry Schooley award in the 2020 Hamilton Literary Awards. Anne is also the recipient of the 2020 City of Hamilton Arts Award for Writing.
“Anne’s workshop ‘How to Write and Tell Your Story’ was engaging, interactive and a creative way to consider how to write a memoir. So much food for thought. Many participants who hadn’t previously thought about writing a memoir were catapulted into creating one from their own stories.”
“Anne Bokma’s online workshop was superb – well organized, well planned, and well executed. Her energetic delivery and inclusive presentation style were appreciated by all attendees. I highly recommend this workshop.”
“With a generous spirit, Anne strives to know her audience and what might be most helpful to them. Her presentation is personal and informative, crafted with warmth, good humour, and an informed and thoughtful approach to her subject matter.”
“Anne’s workshop was well delivered and engaging and I highly recommend it for any storytellers interested in continuing their development.”
“Anne’s workshop ‘How to Write and Tell Your Story’ was engaging, interactive and a creative way to consider how to write a memoir. So much food for thought. Many participants who hadn’t previously thought about writing a memoir were catapulted into creating one from their own stories.”
“This was the first Zoom workshop I have attended and I was so impressed! The input from Anne (excellent suggestions for writing memoir) along with an opportunity to see previous 6-Minute Memoir participants present, was a winning combination. I was totally engaged.”
