Memoir II: Writing Character

This six-week intermediate workshop explores the craft of writing yourself as a fully realized character. Through close reading, discussion, writing exercises, and workshop feedback, we’ll examine how character action creates plot, how dialogue reveals meaning, how physical embodiment grounds scenes, and how voice evolves across time. We’ll also explore the dynamic between your younger self and the reflective narrator.

Whether you’re continuing a memoir project or developing new material, you’ll leave with techniques for creating scenes that feel vivid, emotionally resonant, and deeply human. Limited to 8 participants. PLEASE NOTE: We will skip October 21st.The last class will be on October 28th.

Open to writers who have taken a memoir workshop with Brenda Kahn or who submit a short sample to join. Contact: bren@firesideinkwriters.org to submit a 2–3 page writing sample or reach out with any questions.

About the instructor:

Brenda Kahn (she/her) is a Boulder-based artist, celebrated for her poignant, lyric-driven music that blends personal narratives with broader social commentaries. She gained acclaim in the ’90s with her punk-folk music, leading to a deal with Columbia Records and praise for her album “Epiphany in Brooklyn.” She toured with musical greats Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley and authored “Ode to Chores,” a humorous take on motherhood in verse. Her 2024 single “Alright OK” is available on YouTube and Spotify. Kahn’s memoir, set to explore the transformative power of music and writing against the backdrop of the East Village music scene in the ’90s, is forthcoming. www.brendakahn.com