Unforgettable Writing Workshop - Dr Margaretha Montagu

The Art of Writing Memories

A Half-Day Creative Writing Workshop for Writers 3 to 3,5 hours

Workshop Objective:

A writing workshop to help amateur writers explore the role of memory in storytelling, learn techniques to access and write from memory, and craft vivid, authentic narratives that resonate with readers.

Welcome & Introduction (20 mins)

A warm welcome to our creative Writing Workshop on memory, a unique journey into the depths of your mind where forgotten stories and vivid images await to be rediscovered. The exercises in this workshop are an invitation to write about yourself, about those you miss, about what you love, about longing, loneliness, hope, music, books, films, about everything that makes a life out of existence.
Quick around-the-room: Name + one word that describes why you write
Brief explanation:
“Today we’ll explore how memory shapes our stories. We’ll tap into our senses to unlock vivid memories, play with perspective, and experiment with the emotional layers of our personal experiences. No lectures, just writing, sharing, and discovery.”
Outline of the workshop flow:
- In this workshop, we will explore the art of writing freely and without inhibition.
- Here, mistakes are not just allowed; they are encouraged—they are the evidence of risk and discovery.
- This is a space to let go of judgment and embrace the raw, unfiltered thoughts that live just beneath memory’s surface.
- You are invited to wander through the fog of forgetting, the sparkle of recall, and the strange half-light in between.
- We will write from senses, from silences, from stories told and untold.
- You don’t need to remember “correctly”—you only need to write honestly.
- Whether you write fact or fiction, you are welcome here.
- Let your writing surprise you. Let your memory bend, transform, invent.
- This is not about perfection—it’s about presence.

🖋️ Session 1: Memory Snapshots (Sensory Quick-Writes) (30 mins)

Objective: Warm up and spark memory recall using the five senses.

Instructions:
I’ll call out a sense, give you a sensory cue, and you’ll write freely for 5 minutes per prompt. Don’t overthink—just let the memory unfold.
Prompts:
1. Smell: Write about a scent that instantly transports you to another time.
2. Sound: Write about a sound that echoes from your past.
3. Touch: Write about the texture of something you remember holding.
4. Taste: Write about a flavour that’s forever linked to a person, place, or event.
5. Sight: Write about a specific object that has stayed in your memory.
Optional sharing and group discussion: “What memories surprised you? Which sense unlocked the most vivid scene?”

🖋️ Session 2: Emotions and Memories (30 mins)

Objective: Identify emotionally charged memories and build them into story fragments.

Prompt:
“Write about a memory that still stirs something in you—fear, frustration, embarrassment, longing, gratitude.”
Memories to explore while writing:
- Your favourite children’s book
- Walk through your childhood home
- Write about the food in your childhood
- Write about your lies
- Write about your first crush
- Write about your first favourite song
- Write about your body
- Write about yourself in the third person
- Write about dying
- Write about your addiction
- Write about your skin
- Write about another child
- Write about a wedding
- Write about your first time
- Write about your parents’ house
- Write about an exam
- Write about a home remedy
Optional sharing and group discussion: “What emotion came through most clearly in your piece? What did you learn by writing this memory?”

☕ Break (15 mins)

🖋️ Session 3: Writing Exercise “The Memory Box”

This exercise explores how physical objects serve as gateways to memory and emotion. By creating a character who discovers a collection of meaningful items, writers learn to use concrete details as triggers for backstory, character development, and emotional revelation. The exercise demonstrates how tangible objects can unlock intangible experiences and how the past intrudes upon the present through seemingly simple artefacts.

Setup: The Discovery

Create a character who finds a box of items from their past. This discovery should feel significant, not just spring cleaning, but an unexpected encounter with history. Consider these scenarios:

The Inheritance: Found while clearing out a deceased relative’s home
The Move: Discovered in the back of a closet while packing or unpacking
The Return: Stumbled upon while visiting a childhood home
The Accident: Unearthed after a flood, fire, or other disruption
The Gift: Received unexpectedly from someone who kept it safe

The Contents: Select 3-5 items that will serve as memory triggers. Mix different types of objects for varied emotional impact:

Suggested Categories:

Personal items (jewellery, clothing, toys)
Documents (letters, photographs, tickets, certificates)
Everyday objects (keys, coins, tools, kitchen items)
Creative works (drawings, poems, music, crafts)
Natural elements (pressed flowers, shells, stones)

Consider the Emotional Range:

One item that brings joy or warmth
One that triggers regret or sadness
One that sparks confusion or mystery
One that reveals something unexpected about the character or their past

Structure Your Narrative:

The Moment of Discovery: How does your character find the box? What’s their initial reaction?
The Examination: Show them handling each item—the physical sensations, hesitations, recognition
The Memories: Let each object unlock a specific memory, person, or period from their past

Timing

20 minutes writing: Focus on depth over breadth—better to fully explore 2-3 objects than rush through many
10 minutes sharing with group discussion

🖋️ Session 4: Writing Exercise: “The Same Event, Different Perspectives”

This exercise explores the fluid nature of memory and the creative potential found in its imperfections. By revisiting a single event through multiple lenses, writers discover how perspective shapes narrative and how the gap between experience and memory can become fertile ground for storytelling.

Step 1: Choose Your Event

Select a significant personal event that stands out in your memory. This could be:

A moment of triumph or failure
A difficult conversation or confrontation
A celebration or milestone
A day when something changed forever
An ordinary moment that felt extraordinary

Note: Choose something meaningful but not traumatic—you want emotional resonance without overwhelming discomfort.

Step 2: Three Perspectives, Three Stories

Write the same event in three distinct ways:

Version 1: “As It Happened” Write as objectively as possible, focusing on concrete details, actions, and dialogue. Strip away interpretation and stick to what actually occurred. Think like a journalist reporting facts.

Version 2: “As I Remember It Now” Write from your current perspective, including how the event feels filtered through time, experience, and hindsight. Allow your present-day emotions, understanding, and knowledge to colour the narrative.

Version 3: “As I Wish It Had Happened” Reimagine the event. What would you change? What would you say differently? How might it have unfolded if circumstances, timing, or choices had been different?

20 minutes writing: Approximately 6-7 minutes per version. Aim for 200-300 words per version.
10 minutes sharing with group discussion

“Facts are the enemy of truth.” Don Quichote

Closing Circle

Recap: During this writing workshop, we’ve explored memory not as a static archive, but as a dynamic, living wellspring for your writing. We’ve seen how its unreliability can be a creative asset, how sensory details can breathe life into recollections, and how emotional truth often trumps factual accuracy in storytelling.

Individual Reflection: Take a moment to think about one new insight or technique you’re excited to apply to your writing. What was the most surprising thing you learned about memory or your own writing process today?

Empowerment: Remember, every memory, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, holds the potential for a powerful story. Trust your instincts and the emotional resonance of your recollections.

Final Q&A and Farewell: Open the floor for any remaining questions about the writing workshop, the writing process, or memory. Thank everyone for their active participation and creative energy.

Writing Workshop Leader Notes

Be prepared to gently redirect if someone shares traumatic content inappropriately
Encourage vulnerability while respecting boundaries
Emphasise that all memories are valid material
Remind participants that memory-based writing can be fiction
Have tissues available for emotional moments

“We’re uncovering what it means to be human and serving it back to our readers.” Leslye Penelope – The Monsters We Defy

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