Ellen Blum Barish leads this enchanting writers' day devoted to jump-starting, refreshing, and completing one crafted written piece from your life in a most stunning Lake Forest setting. Let's extract a personal story from your memory-body-dreams-psyche and release it into the world! 

We'll fill the day with short and long writing prompts, a variety of readings, deep discussion of personal narratives, and of course, ample feedback. These 360 minutes will be enhanced with inspiring music, a walking meditation on Ragdale's bucolic campus, a delicious lunch provided by a private chef, and, of course, unlimited coffee and tea...all to help keep the writer energy moving forward!

Prompts • Feedback • Writing Time • Lunch

We’ll talk about what makes memoir unique from other genres, along with: ways to structure memoir; elements of personal narrative; marker moments; and voice and style development.

Whether you want to return to a writing practice, write a story for legacy, prepare for publication, or just have a day of writing fun, this workshop will get your creative juices flowing and provide you with concrete steps to inspire your best work. 

For an additional fee, guests may request dinner and overnight stay at Ragdale. Please email: retreat@storyjaminc.com for more information.