COURSE SYNOPSIS
Many people reach a stage in life where they feel compelled to reflect on and share a significant personal experience, but are unsure how to shape their thoughts into something others will want to read. Posterity: How to Write a Short Memoir is a four-session workshop led by experienced writer, editor and storyteller Verena Tay.
By the end this workshop, participants will learn how to:
Brainstorm the content and arc of a short memoir
Craft theme, flow, pace, character, setting, scenes and dialogue
Complete a full first draft of up to 3,000 words
Participants will determine their memoir's focus in the first session and write drafts between sessions. Structured group critiques provide constructive feedback and deepen understanding of the writer's craft.
By the end of the workshop, participants will have completed a first draft of a short memoir capturing one meaningful chapter of their life story.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Session 1:
• Introduction: What is a memoir?
• Brainstorming your memoir
• Initial writing
Homework: Develop and expand your initial ideas
Session 2:
• How to create strong beginnings
• How to “show”, not “tell”
• Group critique: How to improve your writing
Session 3:
• How to flesh out characters, scenes and dialogue
• Group critique: How to improve your writing
Session 4:
• Final group critique: How to improve your writing
• Round-up and review
This course is eligible for SkillsFuture Credit. Singaporeans aged 25 and above can use their $500 SkillsFuture Credit to offset the course fee. Please note that SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) is not eligible for this course.
For enquiries, please email bookawriter@singlitstation.com.
COURSE DETAILS
Venue: Sing Lit Station, 22 Dickson Road #02-01, Singapore 209506
Schedule
Session 1: 22 Aug 2026, 10am - 1pm
Session 2: 29 Aug 2026, 10am - 1pm
Session 3: 12 Sep 2026, 10am - 1pm
Session 4: 19 Sep 2026, 10am - 1pm
COURSE FEE
Full Course Fee: $400
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Verena Tay (www.verenatay.com) is a theatre practitioner and storyteller. She is the author of four volumes of plays and two short story collections, and has edited twelve anthologies, including the Balik Kampung series published by Math Paper Press.
Since 2011, she has conducted writing workshops across Singapore. She has also facilitated memoir workshops with the National Library Board, which led to four published anthologies, including My Life, My Story: Personal Narratives by Singapore’s Seniors (2015) and Once Upon a Place: 8 Singaporean Memoirs (2022).
REGISTRATION
Please select the payment option that is applicable to you:
Option A: Cash Payment
If you are not utilising SkillsFuture Credits, please purchase a ticket via Peatix using the button below. Registration will be confirmed upon successful ticket purchase.
Option B: SkillsFuture Credits
Singaporeans aged 25 and above can use their SkillsFuture Credits to offset part or all of the course fee. Not sure how much credit you have? Check your balance here.
To register, please complete the registration form via the button below. Sing Lit Station will follow up with payment instructions and guidance on submitting your claim on the MySkillsFuture portal. Any outstanding balance must be paid directly to Sing Lit Station.
Please note that SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) is not eligible for use towards this course.
Registration Confirmation
Your place in the course is confirmed only upon the following:
Option A: Successful ticket purchase via Peatix
Option B: Successful submission of your SkillsFuture credit claim and full payment of any outstanding balance
Participants are advised to ensure they are able to attend all sessions within the course run. Refunds will not be issued once the course has commenced.