Spirit of Story

I'm thrilled to be hosting a free live event with media maven Jane Friedman, whose Hot Sheet has become the go-to publishing newsletter for this fast-changing and evolving industry. Come join us on Tuesday, March 5th @ 10am PST / 1pm EST to hear how the digital age is transforming publishing and how you can be your own best author advocate.

Link to RSVP:
https://mailchi.mp/spiritofstory/live-event-jane-friedman

On Thursday, February 29th, I'll be hosting a live virtual event with author and beloved memoir teacher Samantha Dunn. We'll be dialoguing about what it means to live the writing life over the long-term... How do we separate the value of the creative process from the product? How do we define success? I hope you'll join us for this free community event @ 10am PST / 1pm EST.

Link to RSVP:
https://mailchi.mp/spiritofstory/live-event-samantha-dunn

This Wednesday, July 12th @ 12 noon PST, I’ll be hosting a live author event with Emmy-winning TV writer/producer CINDY CHUPACK and you’re invited! We’ll be diving into the creative process behind her first children’s picture book, We Waited For You. If you’ve an idea for a picture book tucked inside of you, come join us and bring your questions! The book’s illustrator, Emily Hamilton, will be in the conversation as well. RSVP below 📚

Cindy Chupack Author Event In conversation with Cindy Chupack about her new children's picture book

Come join me for a free live author event in conversation with Abigail Thomas tomorrow, Wednesday, April 26th @ 12pm PST / 3pm EST!

RSVP:
https://mailchi.mp/spiritofstory/abigail-thomas

The spring memoir workshops are now open for registration! The Unlocking Your Story sessions are continuing via Zoom on Tuesdays and Thursdays (two different groups), and I'm also offering two IN-PERSON one-day workshops in Los Angeles. These creative spaces are great for writers who are looking for a safe place to peel back the layers and drill down into heart of their stories. Feel free to DM me with any questions!

Workshops — Spirit of Story | Karin Gutman    Join a community of writers and dive into your personal story.

Come one, come all! To this free virtual event on 3/2 @ 10am PST with John Truby, Hollywood’s premier story consultant, where we’ll be diving into the genre of Memoir—its advantages and challenges—and specific tools that can help crack your narrative. We’ll also be discussing the rise of Female Myth stories. Hope to see you there! RSVP link in bio.

I am so sad to learn of Barbara Abercrombie's passing. She lit up the world of memoir, touching so many writers and their stories. She would read my interviews with authors and send me notes of encouragement and thoughtful reflections.

In one of our exchanges, she said that resilience is the whole point of memoir, and I asked her to elaborate.

”Yes, I think in general most successful memoirs are about the times life goes off the tracks- presents a challenge, an obstacle that has to be dealt with by change and courage and - resilience. That’s what I want to read about in a memoir. Most people have no idea of their own resilience until faced with a challenge. I don’t want to read a victim's story - I want to read how that person went from victim to survival via courage and resilience - and whatever else it took. And if there’s some humor in the resilience all the better.”

I had the honor of interviewing her, as well, and want to share it again here. I will miss you, Barbara.

A Conversation with Barbara Abercrombie — Spirit of Story | Karin Gutman This month I had the great pleasure of interviewing Barbara Abercrombie , a writer and longtime, beloved teacher of memoir at UCLA Extension Writers' Program. After knowing Barbara's name for years, I finally had the chance to meet her last February at the San Miguel Writers' Conference in Mexico

Ojai. It’s no surprise to me that so many people in my circles have moved to your peaceful oasis, soaked in natural beauty. An idyllic spot to host a memoir retreat! Last weekend 12 women gathered to write and reflect and share their stories.

The horses. There is something about being in the presence of these majestic beings and sharing space with them. They help us to relax and release our defenses, nudging us closer to our true selves. Deepening the writing.

The Unlocking Your Story spring sessions begin next week! Via Zoom. PM me if you want more details x

Unlocking Your Story — Spirit of Story | Karin Gutman This popular 10-week workshop is designed to explore the life experiences that have shaped and defined you.

Finally! A chance to be back in person, writing in community, making new connections, breaking bread together… each person listening to the call of something that wants to be expressed. Thank you to who opened her home to us, a magical setting that invited hearts to open and stories to be written. Soul satisfying.

Spent the day writing at a sweet little bed & breakfast in , with my trusty stack of books by my side.

Honored to be featured in as one of LA’s hidden gems! Thank you to Chanel Brenner for recommending me!

http://voyagela.com/interview/exploring-life-business-with-karin-gutman-of-spirit-of-story-inc/

I came across this photo the other day and was reminded of the spunky energy we felt in the room when guest authors visited the workshop ( featured here). I’ve realized that community-building is the driving force of what I do. When we write and share our personal stories we are making a connection with others—heart-centered, human connections. I look forward to the day when we can have more of these in-person gatherings—something I’m not comfortable with just yet. At the same time, I am grateful that the virtual space is not only an option but also maintains the same kind of intimacy while widening our circle of voices. The fall workshops are starting next week and we have people from all over—Nashville, Miami, Kansas, Santa Barbara, London, Milwaukee, and Cleveland (my hometown!). We are still building community and we are still keeping the spark alive.

If you have the urge to write your story, visit:
https://www.spiritofstory.com/unlocking-your-story

Today I was writing about self-care as it relates to writing our personal stories. How do we take care of ourselves, particularly when what we’re writing can be difficult inner terrain to dive into, as is often the case with memoir? One of the things I love to do is take walks along the ocean. Apparently the negative ions in the ocean air increase oxygen flow and balance serotonin levels, helping to create a more relaxed and alert feeling.

What do you do for self-care? Is this something you even consider as you write?

Hey everybody, I'm co-hosting a Publishing Salon this Saturday, June 12th, 10am-12:30pm PST with NY literary agent, with Jennie Dunham. We’re devoting this workshop to the art of writing a Query Letter, which is the primary tool used to attract the attention of an agent (or a hybrid publisher, if that's the route you choose to take).



It’s a rare opportunity to be in an intimate, supportive environment that offers insight on the mindset of an agent and how to think about getting your book published.



Come pitch your book project, or if you’re not yet ready to share your work, come listen in and participate in the Q&A.



Would love to see you there, DM me with any questions!

Publishing Salon: The Query Letter — Spirit of Story | Karin Gutman This two-hour webinar is designed to demystify the world of publishing. Spirit of Story founder Karin Gutman and esteemed literary agent Jennie Dunham offer insights and practical steps for navigating your way to finding a home for your work, as well as provide feedback on the premise and first page

I love how Dani Shapiro talks about memoir. I recently heard her speak about the “unthought known” which she defines as the thing we know in our bones but don’t actually allow ourselves to think because it’s too scary.  She says we release the unthought known through our writing.

This idea really resonates with me. For me, writing our personal stories is a process of discovery.  When we meet ourselves on the page, we uncover the underlying emotional truth of our life experiences. I believe that’s really the collective intention we’re all after when we write memoir.

The spoken word community is still alive and well here in Los Angeles, and now, it’s open to those beyond. Storytelling without borders!

The Expressing Motherhood show is taking place this Sunday, March 7th @ 5pm PST, and features stories about parenting in the pandemic. Our very own Ursula Whittaker will be sharing a story, as will Judy Stahl in April.

As a mom parenting a young daughter, who just returned to school this week (!), I feel like sharing our stories about this strange time- even if we don’t yet have any perspective- would make us feel a little less alone.

See attached for link to tickets.

Events Archive - Expressing Motherhood

Yesterday my 8-yr-old daughter asked if she could keep the cinnamon spice jar I was about to throw away, and later I found it re-purposed on her desk with a message scrawled: SMELL THIS. Did you know that smell is the sense most connected to memory? I’ve been known to use different scents as writing prompts in my workshops, as a way into our stories (although this has not been possible while meeting virtually!). I wonder if the cinnamon aroma is imprinting scenes and snapshots from this time my daughter is living through... What smells bring back memories for you?

I’ve started playing with washi tape and stickers in my journal. It is bringing something fresh and stimulating and visual to my practice. It’s accessing a different part of my brain and feeds the writing. Also, taking some time to decorate my pages, I’ve found, is a kind of meditation. It’s new, but it’s quickly becoming a thing!

With all that's going on in the world, I'm continuing to offer the fall Unlocking Your Story workshops via Zoom. So, this means, even if you don't live in Los Angeles, you can join us! We have writers zooming in from Houston, Cleveland, Miami, and even the UK. There is a spot open in the Tuesday group starting this week, 10am-1pm PST. DM if you are interested. I'd love to welcome some new voices and am happy to answer any questions.

Unlocking Your Story — Spirit of Story | Karin Gutman This popular 10-week workshop is designed to explore the life experiences that have shaped and defined you.