Even if you think you know what the story is, you don't until you write it.
— Melissa Febos
We all have stories to tell about our lives. How can we shape these into well-crafted, memorable writing that communicates our unique experiences?
In six fortnightly Zoom sessions we'll explore techniques and approaches to prose life writing—memoir, autobiography, autofiction, personal essays, and work that crosses boundaries of genre and form. Through close reading, discussion, writing exercises and regular feedback, you'll strengthen your voice while growing in confidence as a writer.
Each session focuses on a different aspect of life writing. We'll read and discuss short extracts from writers including Lemn Sissay, Ocean Vuong, Mary Karr, Lorna Sage, Maggie O'Farrell and Maggie Nelson, using these as springboards for our own work.
Between sessions you'll submit up to 1,200 words of your own writing. You'll receive written tutor feedback on each submission, and throughout the course every participant will have opportunities to share work for in-depth workshop discussion in a supportive and encouraging group.
What You'll Gain
An understanding of a range of life writing forms and approaches
Regular inspiration, accountability and motivation
A supportive space in which to share work in progress
Greater confidence in your voice and your material
Constructive feedback to help develop your writing
How It Works
Six fortnightly Zoom sessions (2.5 hours each)
Maximum 10 participants
Fortnightly submission of up to 1,200 words
Written tutor feedback on every submission
Each participant will have at least two opportunities for in-depth workshop discussion and feedback during the course
The workshop takes place on Zoom, making it accessible for writers wherever they are based. If you can’t attend a session, you’ll be given access to materials and a recording.
Who It's For
This course is designed for writers with some experience who would like to explore the possibilities of life writing or develop an existing project.
Fortnightly Focus
Writing as research: methods for life writing
Narrative voice
Truth, authenticity and ethics
Pacing and detail: when to zoom in and when to zoom out
Multiple selves: timeframes and perspectives
Form, structure and time: finding the right container for your work
What previous participants have said (Writing Our Lives 2025)
'Thanks so much for a brilliant five sessions - they really kick-started my writing… I particularly valued the final session on structure and form.'
~ Polly Rodgers
'I so enjoyed the course. There was so much writing that was fresh to me. The selections from published work were superb: both style and content were inspirational.'
~ Andrew Budd
Dates: Fridays: 18th September, 2nd October, 16th October, 30th October, 13th November, 27th November
Time: 10:00am to 12:30pm
Fee: £195/£165 concessions
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Tutor: Kate Potts
Your tutor: Kate Potts
Kate Potts is a poet and freelance lecturer, mentor and editor. She has taught creative writing for Middlesex University, Royal Holloway, Oxford University, Arvon and The Poetry School.
Kate's most recent book is Pretenders (Bloodaxe, 2025), a multi-voice documentary work exploring imposter feelings and imposters. She writes about creative writing and care in her substack Speak Up! On writing, failing better and taking up space.
'As a study of imposter feelings, Pretenders is revelatory: humane in its ability to hold and make space for vulnerability, and alert to the socio-political dynamics that underpin the impulse to self-doubt.' - Sarah Howe