Small Stories, Big Meaning: a storytelling workshop

In this four-hour workshop, we’ll mine minutia. Everyday moments, half-remembered anecdotes, passing observations using them as raw material for telling personal stories that resonate. What makes a story feel big or important? Together, we’ll test that question by looking closely at how you move through your life: the choices you make, the risks you avoid or take, the mistakes you repeat, the things you long for, and the decisions that reveal what matters to you. Through 5-part story structure, guided prompts, playful exercises, and real-time exploration, you’ll practice noticing what’s already there and shaping it into a story. You’ll learn how small moments carry weight—and how to recognize the ones that want to be told to an audience (whatever audience means to you. Could be stage, or podcasts, or during a pitch, or for documentary) Taught by BACKFENCE Storytelling producers and hosts Frayn Masters and Ash Allen, This class is for everyone. Whether you’re experienced and looking for a hot take into your material, quieter and still discovering what your stories might be, or someone who loves being on stage and wants deeper source material, you’re welcome here. You’ll leave with new tools, new perspectives, and a clearer relationship to the stories embedded in your own life—ready to keep excavating long after the class ends. Comments from previous students: “Frayn’s workshop was just so magical and life changing.” “After Frayn’s workshop & showcase, I felt like I was on (legal) drugs. For days. It put a bounce back in my step.” Access Program We want our classes and seminars to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers writing class and seminar tuitions at a reduced rate. Most classes have at least one access spot available. Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org if you have questions. Liaison position Every in-person class and seminar at Literary Arts has one liaison position. Liaisons perform specific duties for each class meeting. If you are a liaison for a class or seminar, the full amount of your tuition is covered by Literary Arts. Apply here for the liaison position.