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A three-hour workshop designed to inspire and guide you in writing your personal stories led by local bestselling author and certified book coach Emma Dhesi. This beginner-friendly workshop is designed as a no-pressure, exploratory space where you can connect with your creativity and reflect on your personal experiences. It's ideal for anyone who wants to explore memoir writing and storytelling techniques, whether you’re reflecting on your own life, telling a loved one’s story, or capturing memories tied to a craft or creative activity. You will: Learn practical techniques for uncovering and organising your ideas through memory mapping. Practice sensory writing to make your memories vivid and immersive. Write a heartfelt first scene of your memoir or personal essay, using a simple three-part structure: Hook, Scene, and Reflection. Share your work (optional) and receive encouraging feedback in a supportive group setting. Emma will provide guidance and step-by-step activities to help you structure and enhance your writing, and you will leave with the start of a memoir chapter, or personal essay, and practical tools to continue writing at home. All materials are included, plus a handout with writing prompts, tips, and recommended memoirs for further inspiration. Just bring your ideas and enthusiasm! If you have specific memories or objects you’d like to write about, feel free to bring those for inspiration. More information The Arienas Collective workshops, courses and events are run from a welcoming and supportive environment within a Georgian mews home in Edinburgh’s City Centre New Town. We invite you to join us, leave any day-to-day worries behind and immerse yourself in being creative. Spaces on our workshops and courses are limited so that our creative team of artists and makers can offer you the hands-on help and support you need to make the most of your time with us. Our taster and introductory workshops focus on teaching creative skills and methods you can continue practising at home, using affordable materials and equipment. Where more expensive equipment is required we will mention this in the workshop description. All the equipment and materials you need are included in the price, unless stated otherwise. Light refreshments from local suppliers are provided. On full day workshops you are welcome to bring your own lunch to eat inside or out. There is also a wide range of independent sit-in or takeaway delis, cafés, and restaurants, plus a range of supermarkets all within a 5-10 minute walk. Accessibility The workshop space is on the first-floor of our Georgian mews home and unfortunately we do not have lift access. Blue badge holders can park outside our front door on the single yellow line by arrangement. Allergies The workshop space is in our open plan living space and is not nut free. Please let us know about any skin or food allergies before booking. We offer a dairy-free milk and gluten free snack alternative. Minimum number no refund policy To ensure we can always pay our creatives a fair fee, we require a minimum number of bookings for each workshop and for this reason bookings are non-refundable. Should we have to cancel due to low numbers, we will offer you the option to swap to an alternative date or workshop, or to request a refund. We do our very best to avoid cancellations. Since we often get late bookings, we keep our workshops on sale for as long as possible. We realise that some of you travel from afar, so if you book a space and have not yet received an email confirming your workshop is going ahead and need to make plans for your trip, please get in touch before booking any travel or accommodation so we can update you on booking numbers. Or check in before booking. Private workshop bookings Most of our workshops are also available to book for: private get-togethers with family and friends; themed wedding and birthday celebrations; corporate team building and well-being purposes; and in-store retail events for your customers. If you’d like to know more please Email Lynn. Age restrictions Our workshops are planned with adults in mind. Many are suitable for teenagers, but some may require under 16s to be accompanied for insurance purposes. Please check with us before booking.
