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Writing workshop: "What memory invents"
Memory is rarely about cold hard facts; it is a creative playground waiting to be explored. Join an intimate writing session aboard a boat where you will learn to bend your past into compelling literature with professional guidance. Beginners and seasoned writers alike are welcome to come and unlock the untold stories hiding within their own minds.
Péniche (Paris 13th)
About
Join facilitator Manon Jouniaux on Sunday, December 6, 2026, for a creative writing workshop titled 'Ce que la mémoire invente' (What memory invents). Hosted on a boat at 8 Port de la Gare in the 13th arrondissement, this three-hour session invites participants aged 18 and over to transform personal memories into compelling fiction. Through various writing prompts and exercises, you will explore how to reshape your past into literature within a supportive, collaborative environment. All necessary materials are provided on-site, and the afternoon concludes with an open mic session to share your work.
It is often said that the past is a fiction. That we are constantly reinventing it, that what we have experienced is transformed over time, reshaped by our memory, our subconscious, and our emotions. I use my memories to write. But far from trying to faithfully restore them, I prefer to take them as living material, to go beyond reality and enter into fiction. Extract a memory, move it, distort it, amplify it, change the point of view, invent what is missing: make the real grow until it becomes literature. Because writing from your memory is not just about telling what happened. It is learning to look differently at what you thought you knew, to gradually become master of your story, and to discover in your memories stories you did not suspect existed.
During this workshop, several creative writing proposals will be offered to explore your memory, nourish your imagination, and bring fiction to life. Each proposal will be an invitation to travel into your memories, to awaken the sensations of childhood, to play with points of view, voices, and perceptions, and to let yourself be surprised by your own words. It will not be about finding exactly what happened, but seeing what writing can do with a memory.
Discover creative writing and let yourself be guided by prompts inspired by diverse works and writing games. Manon offers you a moment of writing, reading, and sharing in a caring setting.
Beginner or experienced writers are all welcome!
Where, when, how?
December 6th, from 2 pm to 5 pm followed by an open stage
On a houseboat: 8 Port de la Gare, 75013 Paris
A workshop led by Manon Jouniaux
Additional information:
Beginner or experienced welcome (+16 years old)
Materials provided unless you wish to bring your own
Our take on this event
On December 6, 2026, immerse yourself in the art of storytelling during a workshop led by Manon Jouniaux. From 14:00 to 17:00, you will examine how memory can be treated as a fluid, living substance. Rather than seeking historical accuracy, the goal is to shift perspectives, amplify details, and invent new narratives, turning lived experiences into creative fiction. This workshop welcomes both beginners and experienced writers to experiment with different voices and sensations.
The event takes place at the Péniche, located at 8 Port de la Gare, 75013 Paris. Participation is open to adults aged 18 and over. The cost for the three-hour session is 45 euros. You do not need to bring any supplies as all writing materials are provided, though you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
The session is designed to be a collaborative and supportive experience, culminating in an open mic segment where you can share the pieces you have developed. This is a unique opportunity to refine your narrative skills and connect with other writers in a distinctive setting on the Seine.
