What makes a mini essay truly compelling? How do you distill an important memory or life experience into just 400 words while keeping the narrative arc, stakes, and emotional resonance intact?

Join Write Around Portland and Oregon Humanities for a free 90-minute writing circle on writing short-form personal narrative. Oregon Humanities’ Posts section is dedicated to short narrative essays built around personal stories and anecdotes. Guided by Write Around Portland facilitator and Oregon Humanities editor Alexandra Silvester, we’ll explore this economical form and how a tight word limit can help to sharpen focus and heighten emotional impact.

We’ll analyze examples of past successful Posts, use creative writing prompts, and draft original work. Following the circle, participants will have the opportunity to submit a draft for consideration in the Winter issue of Oregon Humanities magazine, centered on the theme "Passage."

This session is free to attend, but advanced registration is required. 

Register for this event.