THE FLAME WITHIN: WRITING YOUR LIFE

JOIN ME AT ST. ANDREW’S ABBEY IN VALYERMO, CALIFORNIA JULY 6-10, 2026 FOR A WEEK-LONG MEMOIR WRITING WORKSHOP!!

This week-long memoir writing workshop with award-winning author Heather King offers a unique opportunity to reflect, write, and grow. Designed for writers at any stage, the workshop emphasizes the value of the creative process, while the peaceful rhythms of St. Andrew’s Abbey will afford space for silence, self-inquiry, and honest expression.

Through daily talks on craft—covering story, theme, structure, and revision—as well as focused sessions on how to begin and how to sustain a writing practice, participants will be guided in how to shape their life experiences into meaningful narrative.

To encourage digging deeper, the workshop will include writing prompts, group discussion, and the optional opportunity to read work aloud. The techniques of memoir, as well as the value of writing as a practice of attention and transformation will be emphasized.

In addition to structured time, the retreat allows for plenty of solitude and open space. Participants are encouraged to explore the grounds, pray or reflect in the chapel, join the monks for the Divine Office and daily Mass, write under the trees, or engage in unhurried conversation.

“Every human being has an authentic voice and a unique story. Let’s get together—human-to-human—and start telling them.