The Oak Creek Public Library is hosting a Six-Minute Memoir Workshop, guiding participants through the craft of compact storytelling. According to the City of Oak Creek's announcement, the workshop will be led by author Mary Helen Stefaniak, who will be pulling from experiences in her book, "The Six-Minute Memoir: Fifty-Five Short Essays on Life."
In this interactive session, slated for April 2025, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., attendees will first delve into examples of brief autobiographical essays. Engaging directly with the sample pieces, having a conversation about them, the participants will explore the nuanced array of human experience. Through a series of writing prompts, attendees will reflect on key moments from their past that have shaped who they are.
With the provided insights and prompts, attendees will use pen and paper—or laptops—to capture a defining place, person, or moment from their lives within the confines of a six-minute read. Stefaniak and the workshop will focus on the significance of often-overlooked details that can carry personal meaning.
Individuals interested in attending the workshop must register in advance, as indicated by the library—walk-ins will not be accepted. This workshop offers an opportunity to explore personal narrative in a concise format, supporting the library's efforts to promote literacy and self-expression in the community. For more information and to register, visit the Oak Creek Public Library's event page.
