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The Story You Carry
A four hour writing workshop for people who want to write about their own lives. You arrive with a memory and leave with a finished piece.
Hosted by Smitha Murthy
Next sessionSaturday, 14 November · 10:00 AM IST
Duration4 hours
WhereTBD, TBD
Room size12 seats
Price₹1,984, including GST₹3,421Early bird: 5 offer seats left
About the room
You write, edit and read aloud a complete piece on your own page before you go home. Four hours is long enough to get there.
10:00 AM Arrive and settle15 min · Tea, notebooks, a seat you like.
10:15 AM Opening circle 30 min · How we write about our own lives with care, and how this room works.
10:45 AM Find your story 35 min · Guided prompts. You pick the one story you want to write today.
11:20 AM Shape it 30 min · The scene, the turning point and what it meant to you.
11:50 AM Tea break 15 min · Stretch, chat or stay quiet.
12:05 PM Write 60 min · Silent, held writing time. Your full first draft.
1:05 PM Edit 35 min · A gentle checklist pass, with an optional swap with a partner.
1:40 PM Read aloud and close 20 min · Read a few lines, the whole piece, or simply listen.
Done by 2 PM.
You choose the story
Sharing is your call
Twelve people, one host
The writing time is long and quiet on purpose. Most of the day is spent with your pen moving.
10:00 AM Arrive and settle15 min · Tea, notebooks, a seat you like.
10:15 AM Opening circle 30 min · How we write about our own lives with care, and how this room works.
10:45 AM Find your story 35 min · Guided prompts. You pick the one story you want to write today.
11:20 AM Shape it 30 min · The scene, the turning point and what it meant to you.
11:50 AM Tea break 15 min · Stretch, chat or stay quiet.
12:05 PM Write 60 min · Silent, held writing time. Your full first draft.
1:05 PM Edit 35 min · A gentle checklist pass, with an optional swap with a partner.
1:40 PM Read aloud and close 20 min · Read a few lines, the whole piece, or simply listen.
Done by 2 PM.
You choose the story
We suggest starting with something that has settled enough to write about. Nothing in this room asks you to relive the hardest thing.
Sharing is your call
Read the whole piece, read three lines, or only listen. Every one of those counts.
Twelve people, one host
Small enough that everyone is seen and every story is heard.
What you can take away
A finished story
600 to 900 words about one moment from your life, with a beginning, a turning point and an ending you chose.
A method you keep
The four steps we use with our writing community: find, shape, write, edit. Once you know them, the next story is yours to write alone.
A story map
A one page guide to the other stories you carry, so the second piece is easy to start.
An open door
Pieces that suit our readers are welcome through MyndStories' regular submission guidelines, with our editors on the other side.
Who it's for
Anyone with a story to write. No writing experience needed.
We run the room in English. You can write in whichever language you think in.
We run the room in English. You can write in whichever language you think in.
What to bring
A notebook and pen, or a laptop. We bring prompts, handouts and tea.
Your host
Smitha MurthyCo-founder
Smitha Murthy is the co-founder of MyndStories, India's first content-led mental health platform, built around a simple belief: that stories can help us understand ourselves and one another a little better.
A peer conversation, held by hosts we trust. The room is not therapy, a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. For that, book a therapist.
Questions
Do I have to read my story out loud?
No. The last twenty minutes are open to anyone who wants to read. Listening is a full way to take part.
Will my story be published?
The piece is yours. If you would like our readers to see it, submit it through our regular submission guidelines and our editors will take a look.
What if I can't make it?
Our Cancelation and Refund Policy covers every Space.
I have never written anything. Is that fine?
Yes. The prompts and the structure are built for first time writers, and experienced writers use them too.
What if the writing gets heavy?
You can step out, change your story or pause at any point. Smitha is in the room throughout. If you need support right now, call Tele-MANAS on 14416.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes, each person books their own seat. Friends often write beside each other and read to each other at the end.
If you need support right now, call Tele-MANAS, India's free 24-hour mental health helpline: 14416 or 1-800-891-4416.