New York Times bestselling author, memoir coach, and inspirational speaker Ingrid Ricks first discovered the healing power of personal narrative when she wrote her coming of age memoir, Hippie Boy: A Girl’s Story. But it wasn’t until she began helping high school students write and publish the deeply personal stories they needed to tell that she uncovered its ability to foster the awareness, understanding, and empathy that is so crucial in today’s divisive world.
Expressive writing can result in a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression; improve our sleep and performance; and bring greater focus and clarity. It can also be a powerful healing tool, helping us feel seen and heard, while working to understand how our stories affect us today.
In this generative 5-week workshop, Ricks will help you tap into the healing power of personal narrative and write the emotionally charged story you need to tell.
You will learn how to identify, structure, and bring your story to life through eight powerful narrative writing assignments that culminate in the completion of your seven- to ten-page story. You’ll then have an opportunity to share your story during a final celebration session with fellow writers. This class includes a 30-minute individual coaching session. Here’s a week-by-week breakdown:
Week 1 - April 16th from 5-7pm PT:
Overview / Introductions
Identifying Your Story
Structuring Your Story
30-minute individual story structure coaching session between Week One and Week Two
Week 2 - April 23rd from 5-7pm PT:
Openings that Grab
Character Development
Active Setting
Week 3 - April 30th from 5-7pm PT:
Emotions
Effective Dialogue
Week 4 - May 7th from 5-7pm PT:
Transitions
Story Endings
Slowing Down Time
Week 5 - May 14th from 5-7pm PT:
Class Story Sharing / Celebration
Each session is virtual, from 5-7 p.m PT. April 16th through May 14th. Limited to 15 participants.
About Ingrid: Ingrid Ricks is passionate about leveraging personal storytelling to foster healing, awareness, empathy, and change. Over the past decade, she has helped thousands of students of every age find healing and empowerment by writing deeply personal stories they needed to tell and has produced eight anthologies in partnership with high schools and non-profits. Ingrid, who views personal storytelling as the key to healing and unity in today’s divided world, regularly presents her Unleashing the Power of Personal Storytelling workshops in partnership with organizations throughout the region and has delivered keynote talks on the subject to educators and social workers nationwide. She also uses her story and struggles with breast cancer and blindness to help audiences reverse their own limiting stories and beliefs and go after their dreams, regardless of the challenges they face.
Ingrid’s books include the coming-of-age memoir, Hippie Boy: A Girl’s Story, and Focus, a memoir about her journey with the blinding eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa. She has also ghostwritten several books and has shared stories from her childhood on Salon and NPR.