Living Material is four-part creative writing workshop exploring how we can mine and write the textures of our own lives; our diaries, notes, memories, and daily observations, and shape them into experimental, resonant forms of memoir.

Meeting fortnightly on Saturdays from Sat 25 Oct - Sat 6 Dec at 10-11.30am (GMT) across four 90-minute workshops, we’ll read extracts from writers who use the raw material of lived experience to create original, intimate, and creatively lively work.

Together, we’ll excavate quotidian moments of glimmers of beauty, stupidity, humour and clarity. We will work with systems, rituals, and creative structures that help us write from life with openness, depth and curiosity.

Each week blends close reading, reflection, and creatively expansive guided writing prompts. We’ll study writers & artists, including Sheila Heti, Lou Reed, Danielle Dutton, Amy Ching-Yan Lam, Alison Knowles, Alexander Chee, Hanif Abdurraqib, Erica Van Horn, Helen Garner, Abi Palmer, Olga Ravn & others.

You’ll will cleave and mine your own living materia lfrom places that may surprise you: professional powerpoints, family in-jokes, diaries, phone notes, and memories, and discover new processes to work with them.

Workshop dates:

Sat 25 Oct

Sat 8 Nov

Sat 22 Nov

Sat 6 Dec

This is an open, warm and welcoming space for experimentation, honesty, and process – and those with an appreciation of life writing and experimental memoir.

Spots are non-refundable. Attendees receive a playback by email.