self-inquiry and personal storytelling workshop
self-inquiry + personal storytelling WORKSHOP … $115
next offering: tBD
DESCRIPTION:
The process of self-inquiry is a powerful tool to uncover the themes, patterns, and stories that shape our lives. In this two-day workshop, participants will work on targeted writing exercises that highlight experiences, memories, and life lessons that can be leveraged as creative material for writing personal stories.
Participants will look at their experiences through the framework of seven story archetypes to reveal value-based themes and narrative ideas. During the course of the workshop, writers will review and discuss examples of compelling personal stories, work through a self-inquiry process that clarifies themes and values, and learn techniques to write about intimate emotions and experiences.
Self-inquiry and Personal Storytelling is ideal for personal narrative writers (of all levels) who want to explore the themes that tie their stories together and create a foundational piece of writing for their own practice or for future publication. Participants will come away with an informative presentation deck and 30-day access to the class recording.
our stories connect us
For the past 15 years, writing has been my healing practice, the alchemy that has turned pain into purpose. I’ve shared my story and received emails and messages from people all over the world — who grew up with a mentally ill parent or family member like I did — and have struggled to find peace in their lives as adults. They share their stories with me and ask if I have any advice to help them cope. When fear was at the forefront of my mind, I underestimated the power of my experience. I thought: Who am I? Look at how messy my journey has been. Who cares what I have to say?
I’d forgotten how much I longed for true stories when I was not living mine. How much I looked for a clear reflection when my identity was blurry. At my lowest moments, I craved testimonies about the hopeless person finding hope, the lost person finding their way home. Raw stories of awakening and transformation. Stories were my lifeline.
Vulnerability researcher and author Brené Brown said, “One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone else’s survival guide.”
With that in mind, I’ve made it my mission to help people discover and share their stories, working to bridge the emotional obstacles between inner reflection and outer expression. The Self-inquiry and Personal Storytelling workshop brings together tools from my personal journey and my professional experience with exploring group narratives.
“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.” — BELL HOOKS
FEEDBACK:
“What a fabulous workshop. You beautifully weave in personal stories, your exercises were inspired and thought-provoking, and the energy you nurture was one of a kind."
— Ali Cherry, DC Writer’s Salon Founder
“GG was brilliant! From the get-go she was super communicative and friendly. Despite the 6 hour time difference, she accommodated all of my wants and requests. The booking process was simple and hassle-free. The actual workshop was beyond my expectations; although I was only supposed to keep time, I ended up taking in the activities. Although the workshop was done online, GG created a safe and healing space for us all. I cannot wait to book her for more!
— Christina Fonthes, Founder of REWRITE Creative Writing Org for Black Women & Women of Colour
“GG brought innovation and creativity to our organization’s storytelling session. She was able to navigate the complexities and nuances of our company in order to draw connections, identify common themes, and translate corporate jargon into simple language. From her thoughtful questions during our pre-briefs to the way she led with grace and poise, her masterful facilitation laid a strong foundation for our organization’s diversity and inclusion narrative.”
— Tyece Wilkins, Diversity and Inclusion Senior Advisor, BAE Systems, Inc.