Writing Through the Senses: Bringing Your Memoir to Life
Course Overview
Writing Through the Senses: Bringing Your Memoir to Life
A familiar smell, a particular sound or the taste of a childhood meal can bring forgotten memories vividly back to life.
This practical workshop explores how sensory details can enrich memoir and reflective writing, helping writers recreate experiences rather than simply describe what happened.
Through guided exercises and examples from published memoirs, participants will experiment with using sight, sound, smell, taste and touch to evoke memories, develop atmosphere and bring people and places to life.
The workshop will demonstrate how everyday objects, familiar environments and sensory experiences can become the starting point for compelling personal stories.
Workshop Content
· Unlocking memories through the senses: Explore how sounds, smells, tastes, textures and images can trigger memories and emotions.
· Writing vivid descriptions: Practise using sensory details to recreate people, places and experiences.
· Exploring meaningful objects and places: Use familiar objects, food, photographs and environments as starting points for personal narratives.
· Creating atmosphere and emotion: Combine sensory details with reflection to develop engaging scenes.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the workshop you will be able to:
· Use sensory experiences to recall and explore personal memories.
· Apply descriptive writing techniques to create vivid scenes and settings.
· Use sensory details to convey emotions and atmosphere.
· Develop a short piece of memoir writing that brings a remembered experience to life.
Who Is This Workshop For?
Suitable for beginners and experienced writers interested in developing their descriptive writing and storytelling skills. No previous memoir-writing experience is required.
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Marie Geissler
Dr Marie Geissler is a cultural historian who is passionate about helping people write about their lives in ways that build confidence, insight, and personal empowerment. Drawing inspiration from archaeology—the practice of uncovering both visible and hidden layers of history—she encourages students to explore and reflect on their own experiences, memories and stories.
Marie is the author of numerous publications, including Dreaming the Land: Aboriginal Art from Remote Australia, an acclaimed work that profiles the lives and achievements of 100 leading Indigenous artists who helped pioneer Australia’s contemporary Indigenous art movement.
With more than three years of experience teaching memoir, Marie creates a supportive and engaging learning environment where writers of all backgrounds can discover and develop their unique voices. She is also a Board Member of the Foreign Correspondents Association of Australia and the South Pacific, where she actively promotes Australian innovation, creativity, and culture to international audiences.
Marie brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for personal storytelling to her memoir classes, helping students uncover meaningful connections between their lived experiences and the stories they choose to tell.
About Marie Geissler
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