Turning Truth Into Fiction: A Storytelling Workshop

Have you ever lived through something you wanted to write about but didn't know where to begin?

This two-hour workshop is designed to help you transform personal experiences into compelling short fiction.

Through a combination of storytelling instruction, discussion, writing exercises, and guided sharing, you'll learn how writers take real moments from their lives and shape them into stories that resonate with others.

This workshop is for writers, aspiring writers, journal keepers, and anyone curious about storytelling. No previous writing experience is required.

What We'll Explore

Part One: The Art of Turning Life into Story
We begin with a short lesson on storytelling and autobiographical fiction.
Topics include:
• Why personal stories matter
• The difference between memory and story, memoir and ficiton
• How writers transform real experiences into fiction
• Creating emotional honesty without simply writing a diary
• Finding meaning, tension, and transformation in everyday moments

Alice will also read one of her published short stories and discuss how a real-life experience became fiction.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about the writing process, publishing, creativity, and storytelling.

Part Two: Writing and Sharing
The second hour is devoted to practice. Using a guided prompt, participants will spend ten minutes writing from a real experience.
Afterward, those who wish may share their work with the group.

Together we will explore:
• What emerged during the writing
• What felt easy or difficult
• How the story might be developed further
• Ways to strengthen emotional impact and clarity

The emphasis is not on critique or perfection.
It is on discovering what is true, learning how to shape it into a story, and practicing the courage to share it.

What You Will Leave With

• A deeper understanding of storytelling
• A short piece of original writing
• Tools for turning personal experiences into fiction
• Greater confidence expressing yourself through writing
• Meaningful conversations with fellow writers and storytellers

About the Workshop

The goal of this community is to create a space where people can write what is real and learn how to shape it into short story fiction.
Not everything we live is easy to say.

Most people soften it, hide it, or never write it at all.
This workshop invites you to explore those stories honestly, with care, and give them form through writing.

You are not expected to share everything.
You are invited to be honest—with yourself first.
Bring a notebook, pen, or laptop.
No writing experience required.
Just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to begin.

Hosted by Alice Hlídková

This event is free to attend. Donations are welcome and support the presenter and venue.