Self Discovery Through Memoir
With Deborah Taffa
August 30 - September 6, 2026
If you weren’t frightened by what others might think, what story would you tell? In this class, we’ll explore the act of ethical remembering, how to create characters out of your people, and how to build a persona for yourself. Through close readings, craft lessons, and discussion, we will explore your subjective lens, the role of fear and honesty in memoir, and the importance of honoring your nesting dolls and/or former selves. We’ll examine the impulse (and pitfalls) of cautionary tales and discuss the role of counterintuitive insights in finding greater contexts for your story.
About the Leader
Deborah Taffa
Deborah Taffa is the director of the MFACW Program at the IAIA in Santa Fe, NM. Her memoir Whiskey Tender was a 2024 National Book Award finalist. It was named a Top Ten Book of 2024 by The Atlantic, Time, Audible, Esquire, Elle, Publisher’s Weekly and other outlets. Taffa is a 2024 NEA Fellow, a […]
Learn more about Deborah TaffaCategories : Ghost Ranch Program, Writing, Literature, Journaling