Has your life been altered by the trauma of sexual violence? Could your testimony inspire people to act? Are you ready to begin telling your story?
Studies show that writing about thoughts and feelings that arise from a traumatic or stressful life experience helps people develop meaning to, cope with, and move beyond the emotional fallout of such events. Also, by writing our stories and sharing them with the community we become effective catalysts for social justice and change. Your story has tremendous power to help others.
Empower yourself by writing through trauma and telling your survivor story, or further developing the story you have already written.
In this intimate six-week workshop, open to beginners and experienced writers, women, men, and all non-binary people, you will tackle various aspects of the subject you’ve always wanted to–but were afraid to write about, or perhaps you simply did not find the right safe space, until now. Through examples of well-written trauma in memoir, you will find the courage, techniques, and support to write through the trauma and tell your story, build community, and create social change.
A survivor-leader herself, Mary McBeth, writer, editor, and founder of Memoir Magazine will be your coach and guide through this process. Trauma-sensitive at all times, this memoir writing workshop is totally unique in a number of ways:
- Using pseudonyms, participants will remain anonymous to each other, removing the most common inhibitor to honest writing and to telling your deepest truth.
- This writing workshop addresses the often-overlooked emotional (self-care) aspects of memoir writing, as well as the elements of craft;
- Everyone in this workshop is supportive and open to hearing your story without judgment, committed to helping you develop your voice and finding the best ways to get your story out in front of readers.
- Each class focuses on feedback as the main source of developing your work. Every week, there will be written lectures and suggested readings, and participants will submit 1,000 words of writing for detailed feedback by the group and the instructor.
- This is a powerfully transformative process, an opportunity to see how your story affects others and, in the process, find and accept your own truth.
Join us and:
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Overcome the negativity that silences you. Become comfortable with writing & sharing painful facts and emotional truths.
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Find your voice as a writer.
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Master the memoir writing craft with personalized weekly online lessons—no matter where you are in your writing journey.
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Stop second-guessing yourself and develop a rock-solid belief in your writing.
Open to Writers of All Levels.
Course Dates:
Cost: $299.00
[su_button url=”https://memoirmag.com/product/online-writing-workshop-sexual-assault-gender-based-violence-survivors/” target=”blank” style=”noise” size=”6″ center=”yes” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]Click Here To Register[/su_button]Meet your Facilitator:
Mary McBeth is a writer, editor, and Sexual Assault Awareness advocate. The founding editor of Memoir Magazine, and the creator of The #MeToo Essay Award, her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Argot Magazine, The Nervous Breakdown, *82 Review, Awakened Voices, and various others. To date, Mrs. McBeth speaks 4 languages and has lived and worked in more than 220 cities, in 23 countries. She spent 12 years in Italy as a fashion model, the subject of her current memoir-in-process, entitled, Perfect.
“I would definitely recommend this course to others! This class helped me to speak my truth. I have wanted to write about my trauma but always avoided it because it was too painful to face. The “All in the same boat” concept helped me to feel safe to share my truth.
The writing exercises pushed me to write about things I have avoided. I have gained greater insight about myself and family members. I also liked all the lessons/reading material on styles of writing. I feel that I found more of my voice. I am not a writer by trade so I feel that the feedback from the instructor as well as my peers helped me to feel more confident in my writing abilities. I still struggle with doubt but the feedback helped me to realize what I had to say really matters!
An unexpected benefit was how I gained strength from reading my peers testimonies. I was so inspired by the courage that all of my “brave warrior” comrades possess. The group support and empowerment continually blossomed. I have never felt more understood. This class has helped me more than years of therapy.
Thank you so much Mary for this class! It has been a privilege to work with you and be a part of this incredible group of women.”
– Regina
” I feel that I have definitely found more of my voice. Prior to this course, I was very careful with what I said and often told someone else’s version of the truth. Now, I feel stronger and less intimidated to tell MY truth.
The lessons definitely helped me think differently when I write and also open myself up more. I have really appreciated the feedback. Especially since it’s coming from other survivors who can tell me if what I’m writing is relatable to other survivors…this course has given me the push to finally at least try to make something out of my writing and for that I am eternally grateful! Thank you Mary!”
– Grace
“I have been a writer my entire life and have taught others how to use language to empower themselves. But for some reason, I was unable to do this for myself. This course allowed me a safe place to share the traumatic events of my life and helped me use words to contain and control what I had no control over as a child. It put me in the position of power. Being given the opportunity to approach this with anonymity, helped alleviate my fear, and I took Mary’s advice and let myself “bleed on the page.” It was cathartic. The content of the course helped me to stop blaming myself and realize I was not alone and I was supported. In addition, the relevant, encouraging, and constructive writing feedback allowed me to gain the confidence to develop my voice and pursue my writing further. Mary did an excellent job of providing support, engaging materials, and writing feedback.”
-RJM
Upon completion of the payment process at our shop, you will receive an automatic confirmation of your order. Your workshop instructor will then e-mail you to introduce themselves within 10 business days about the workshop starting information and instructions for accessing the learning platform.
[/su_tab] [su_tab title=”Payments & Refund Policy” disabled=”no” anchor=”” url=”” target=”blank” class=””]Making Your Payment: We accept payments by credit card and via PayPal.
Refund Policy: There is a cancellation fee of 15% included in each registration. Memoir Magazine will not issue a refund if a cancellation occurs within 48 hours of the class start time.
Memoir Magazine University cannot provide refunds, transfer payments, or offer makeup sessions for classes a student might miss, for any reason. But the class remains on the website for the student to access at any time during the course and up to 6 months after the course is complete.
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