Have you lived a story you're longing to write?

Do you wonder what it takes to strike a universal chord

with your own hard-won experience? Join me at Verity

Women's Club in Toronto for an intimate, hands-on

story fest in which we'll work together as a group to

refine your own writing.

You'll share a story-in-progress with a group of like-

minded women. I'll share my time-tested storytelling

tool kit, which has helped countless writers at all levels

find their theme and their voice. A few of the things

we'll explore in one day of inspiration:

* The three essentials that drive a story forward;

* Where to look for stories you'll be glad you told;

* How to tell the difference between words that pull

  readers into your story and words that push readers away;

* How to bring people and places to life on the page;

* Why writing a description is like accessorizing an outfit;

* The question every reader asks while reading a first-person story;

* The worry that dogs every first-time memoirist--and why you should forget it right now;

* The hardest part of writing any story--and how to get around it.

Whether you're a first-time writer following a dream or a pro who has tackled every kind of story but your own, this workshop will sharpen your focus and nourish your sense of creative possibility. You won't hear a word about agents, publishers or contracts. We'll be sticking to the fun stuff: how to shape your truth so that others will find a little of themselves in your tale. Our stories are rivers flowing to the same ocean. Let me take you there.

Visit ronamaynard.com to read my writing and learn about my memoir, My Mother's Daughter.