Workshop: How to Write a Memoir, Short Story, and Essay

Sunday, 11/16/2025
2:00 - 3:30
Martin Paley Conference Room - 3rd Fl
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

Part 6 – Readers connect most deeply when authors share not just their stories, but also the lessons they've learned along the way. In this workshop, you'll explore how to reflect sincerely and truthfully on your life experiences—drawing meaningful comparisons, offering insights and showing how your past has shaped who you are today, for better or worse. By linking your past to your present throughout your writing, you’ll create a powerful emotional thread that resonates with readers.

Jing Li, a Montaigne Medal Finalist recognized by the Eric Hoffer Book Award for her thought-provoking memoir The Red Sandals, will guide you through this impactful writing technique. Whether you're refining your craft, discovering your purpose as a storyteller, or building confidence writing in English as a second language, Jing’s warm and accessible approach will help you find your voice. You'll leave with tools to shape your ideas, develop a strong theme and bring your unique story to life.

Hot tea will be provided.

Read & Write

Discover new titles, share inspiring works and participate in challenges and contests. 

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.

Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.