“I gather together the dreams, fantasies, experiences that preoccupied me as a girl, that stay with me and appear and reappear in different shapes and forms in all my work. Without telling everything that happened, they document all that remains most vivid.”
Photo by Marcus Aurelius
What is the difference between memoir and autobiography? Where do I start if I want to write mine? This two-part workshop is designed for writers interested in starting a memoir, or who have already begun and are encountering common roadblocks.
For the first part (on Saturday), instructor Krista Foss will lead you through exercises and discussions that consider the thorny issues of navigating trauma and joy, owning your story, liberating your voice, and developing a writing practice that leads to a finished manuscript. If you attended a similar workshop in November 2024, you are welcome to join again—or join the group on the second day for more writing time and critiquing of the work.
Those participants who opt for the second part of the workshop (Sunday) will also have an opportunity to submit up to 2,500 words in advance for personalized feedback note as well as a brief one-on-one meeting with Krista. Click on the button below to submit a writing sample. Writing samples are due by Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
And to round out the options, we are offering a dinner and overnight accommodations and breakfast to any interested guests—whether you are taking part 1 or part 2 or both!
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
SATURDAY: PART 1
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Introductions and definitions | |
| Facing our fears | ||
| 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM | The importance of scene in memoir | |
| Writing exercise | ||
| 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Curating the scenes of your life | |
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Making connections with books, art, and song | |
| Writing exercise | ||
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Ethical considerations in memoir: who gets hurt/who gets believed | |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Directed writing | |
| Individual consultations (part 2 guests only) | ||
| 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM | Reading and sharing | |
| 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Wrap up of Part 1: praxis and next steps for memoir writers | |
| 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Dinner (overnight guests only) |
SUNDAY: PART 2
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM | Breakfast (overnight guests only) | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Arrival (part 2 guests) | |
| 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Introductions and goal setting | |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Directed writing and individual consultations | |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 AM | Group workshopping and/or directed writing | |
| 3:15 PM – 3:45 PM | Reading and sharing | |
| 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM | Wrap up and departure |
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Photo by Krista Ockenden
KRISTA FOSS is a novelist, essayist and short story writer. Her short fiction has appeared in several literary journals including Granta and has twice been a finalist for the Journey Prize. Her essay writing has been featured in Best Canadian Essays and has been nominated for a National Magazine Award. She has two novels published by McClelland & Stewart: Smoke River (2014), which won the Hamilton Literary Award, and Half Life (2021). Krista is an experienced workshop teacher and a busy writing coach and editor. When she’s not lake swimming or in the woods, she’s working on a third novel and new short fiction from her home in Westport, Ontario.
COST & REGISTRATION
BRING-A-FRIEND SALE! 25% off on 2nd registration for a person new to Wintergreen. This discount also applies to Revising & Editing (May 3). Discount code will be sent by email following proof of 1st registration. Discount to be applied at checkout.
Full weekend: $425 + HST includes Part 1 (Saturday), dinner, overnight accommodation, breakfast, Part 2 (Sunday), and individual consultation of material sent in advance.
Part 1 (Saturday) only: $145 + HST includes instruction and lunch.
Part 1 (Saturday) + overnight: $320 + HST includes Part 1 (Saturday), dinner, overnight accommodation, and Sunday breakfast.
Overnight + Part 2 (Sunday) only: $335 + HST includes Saturday dinner, overnight accommodation, Sunday breakfast, and Part 2 (Sunday), including individual consultation of material sent in advance.
Part 2 (Sunday) only: $160 + HST includes instruction, lunch, and individual consultation of material sent in advance.
Learn more about the accommodation options in the Lodge here.
If registering for more than one person, please enter the number of guests as the “Quantity” and you will be charged accordingly.
HST is included in the checkout price.