SPIRIT OF STORY

Memoir Writing Workshops and Courses
That Transform Your Story – and You

Spirit of Story’s memoir writing workshops and courses guide you in discovering the heart of your true, personal story. Whether you're just beginning or deep in revision, these offerings provide structure, support, and a safe space to write from your deepest truth.

A Creative Space

What makes these workshops and courses different is their intimate, process-centered approach. Rooted in meaning-making and emotional resonance, each gathering offers a safe, supportive space where vulnerability is welcomed and clarity can emerge organically.

Here, you’re invited to peel back the layers, own your true voice, and write with radical honesty.

Unlike many traditional writing classes that rush toward polished pages, these workshops slow things down. You’ll be encouraged to listen inward, discover the form your story longs to take, and write from a place of integrity and insight. For many, this isn’t just creatively rewarding – it becomes a deeply healing and empowering journey.

What you’ll discover and learn

1

Find and Strengthen Your Authentic Voice

Discover your unique voice that lives beneath the noise and self-doubt. These offerings create space to write with honesty, clarity, and confidence – and to express yourself in ways that feel true to who you are.

2

Shape Your Stories with Depth and Meaning

You’ll explore and organize your memories, experiences, and reflections into stories that hold emotional resonance and meaning. Whether you’re writing for yourself or with an eye towards publishing, you’ll begin to see the form your story longs to take.

3

Build a Consistent and Nourishing Writing Practice

Through prompts, structure, and accountability, you’ll develop a steady writing rhythm that keeps your creativity alive – helping you show up for your stories with greater ease and devotion.

4

Transform and Heal Through Storytelling

Writing isn’t just about words on a page – it’s a journey inward. The benefits of this deep, personal work extend well beyond the page and ripple into every part of your life.

Explore Upcoming Memoir Courses & Workshops

LIVE WORKSHOPS 

Join real-time workshops held in-person or virtually. These intimate spaces offer structure, community, and direct feedback to guide you in writing with clarity, courage, and heart.

View Live Workshops

AT YOUR OWN PACE COURSES 

Explore self-study courses you can move through in your own time. These eCourses are crafted to support your writing practice wherever you are, offering prompts, teachings, and guidance to keep you moving forward.

View eCourses

IMMERSIVE RETREATS 

Step away from daily life and immerse yourself fully. These daylong workshops and destination retreats offer sacred space to write, reflect, and reconnect with your story in a deeply nourishing way.

View Retreats

Meet Your Guide

Known for creating safe, transformative spaces, Karin helps writers uncover the emotional truth at the heart of their stories – and write with courage, clarity, and impact. Many of her students have published essays and books, shared their stories on stage, and continue to give voice to lived experiences that might otherwise remain unheard.

Learn more

Kind Words

  • Having a safe writing space was critical in my development as a writer.

    “Having a safe writing space was critical in my development as a writer. I had so much shame about the mistakes I had made as a mother, that it took me attending several workshops before I started to reveal some parts of my story in the class. Meanwhile, the structure, prompts and valuable guidance, made me feel more at ease as I developed some writing skills.

    I remember the first time I shared my pages. I was so scared of being judged that my heart was pounding inside my chest. When I was finished reading I could barely look at anyone. But as we went around the room, all the women were so incredibly supportive with their feedback that it ultimately allowed me to become even more vulnerable in the class.”

    - Wendy Adamson, author of Mother Load

  • … guides writers gently and intuitively…

    “Karin creates a fertile environment for writing. I came to the workshop knowing that I had a story to tell, but with a lot of resistance to the act of writing. Karin guides writers gently and intuitively. She uses writing prompts to help you pop open ideas you didn’t know were there. It was so exciting when my writing really started to flow! I would take Karin’s workshop over and over again.”

    Ranjani Brow

  • … amazed how 'on target' your observations and questions are…

    “I am always drawn to the group of people you are able to put together. You have a very calm sense and huge understanding that sometimes a prompt can take you a completely different direction and that there never is anything ‘wrong’ in your response. You also have a impeccable sense when it comes to 'listening' what is being read. It could be that you find things in between the lines or pinpoint exactly a feeling or emotion to an overall situation described in a piece. I love your feedback and am often amazed how ‘on target’ your observations and questions are when I share my work.”

    Malona Badelt

  • … Something in me is being ‘faced’ by the very act of writing…

    “I'm really looking forward to another class... and another and another after that. Something in me is being ‘faced’ by the very act of writing whatever it is that comes out. Your class is definitely stirring my pot and I find that so rewarding. Thank you!”

    Molly Jordan, co-author of Magic Time

  • What you're offering is really magical and unique…

    “What you're offering is really magical and unique. I love your feedback and I love feedback in general that challenges me out of my comfort zone, uncomfortable as that may be. The group really opened me up to realizing what 'my' story is, or at least, what the story is I want to tell.  And it also helped me get confident and comfortable with my voice.

    The more I write and open myself to creativity, the more creative I feel.”

    Suzanne Ely

  • Thank you for empowering me to speak my truth.

    “Thank you for empowering me to speak my truth. You have changed my life for the better. I am lucky to share the journey with you!”

    Heather McGonigal

 Ready to begin?
I’d love to hear from you.

Tell me where you are in your writing journey—or where you’d like to be. Whether you're drawn to a group workshop, self-guided course, or one-on-one support, I'm here to help you find your way.

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