The StoryTelling Circle: a new way into the writing process
A virtual writing retreat that sources your untold stories organically and effortlessly. You’ll leave having learned solid story structure, character creation, and how to market your story and monetize it. No writing experience required.
The StoryTelling Circle was born out of my paralyzing fear of writing
Coming to the page made me so anxious that the stories lived in my head and my heart, but not on the page.
So I would research sweeping historical events that affected me and began telling those stories aloud in monthly storytelling circles at my home, and recording them. By the end of the year, I had 500 pages of story. Then the gentle editing and organizing of the stories began. The final product came directly from those transcripts. I was writing on my feet and it was exhilarating. And most importantly: EASY AF, because it relies on your greatest asset:
You.
When you’re given permission to tell your story with all the juiciness that is your lived experience, in a quiet, safe space in front of a rapt audience, the magic will find you.
Remember how the first take is often the best take? That’s because you’ve given yourself permission to mess up, to not get it right, knowing you’ll have other chances to try. The story, the magic, is in that first moment where you’re simply wanting to be heard, seen and understood. That’s where the best story happens. Not in critique, but in gentle, guided support.
I should know: I’d never written anything besides a grocery list when I wrote my first play. The first play I ever wrote happened in the StoryTelling Circle. It got an off-Broadway production offer from the artistic director after one public reading at a music stand, and had its world premiere at my dream off-Broadway theatre.
People say that doesn’t happen. But it does, when you write from your Soul’s Song fiercely and unashamedly. When you relish your ability to fall down, get up and try it another way. When you realize that the way you speak is your most compelling writing. When you own your voice.
When you share your first attempts with a small, sacred group who want to know more and understand you deeply, something happens in the circle that turns passive storytellers into amazing writers. That’s the journey of the StoryTelling Circle.
Join me. The magic is real and the relief is epic.
The core stories in Good Bread Alley and Liberty City, April’s plays at New York Theatre Workshop, came directly from those recordings. An excerpt from Liberty City features in April’s TED talk, “ReWrite Your Story”.
What makes the StoryTelling Circle different from other writing classes?
In the StoryTelling Circle we use oral storytelling, which subconsciously taps into your natural storyteller’s voice. Guided oral storytelling gets you out of your head quickly and demystifies the writing process into something that actually sounds the way you speak.
The way we speak, our pauses, our psychological gestures, the places where we trip over our words or try to catch them like butterflies blown by a strong wind, is where your writer’s poetry lives. We all have it. We just don’t always know how to access it.
The work begins with deep connective writing that I gently guide you through, followed by recurring emotional chords from your Dream Jar. Stories are then transcribed with punctuation guided by the breath and the way the words were spoken. This gives your stories a shape, a structure and a gorgeous poetry that is yours and yours alone. It cannot be duplicated or copied by AI.
Because of the deep listening and guided story-building exercises, most stories from the circle arrive fully formed from the moment the speaker hits record. Imagine being able to write that way, without frustrating rewrites because you’re trying to force the words to sound like your idea of writing.
This is why the StoryTelling Circle is particularly good for first-time, anxious or blocked writers.
Who the StoryTelling Circle is for
People who have never written before, but have a story that won’t let them sleep at night
Actors ready to make a living as a working actor and storyteller
Actors, writers and dreamers who need a fresh new way into writing
Anyone with a story to tell who believes they don’t have a right to their creativity
Actors, writers and dreamers who are stuck or blocked, needing to jumpstart their healing by telling their story
The only safety net these days is a body of work that can’t be ignored.
Three ways to join the StoryTelling Circle
All classes are on Zoom, in small groups, with lots of 1:1 attention.
StoryTelling Circle 2-Day Writers’ Retreat
$680
Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · 2nd weekends in August & January · 4–8 writers
What: 10 hours of StoryTelling, writing & structure. Great for the newbie, the curious or anyone who wants a new way into the writing process.
You’ll get:
Lots of 1:1 attention, and a structure to generate story and just write
Tons of exercises to get you writing, with notes after each one
A final presentation on Sunday, followed by a notes session and next steps
How to market and monetize your stories
Bonuses: April’s Story Structure Outline to guide you step by step to a finished script; the “How to save time and beat writer’s block” webinar; “How to monetize your writing”.
Payment: $680, or 2 payments of $340 if your account is in good standing. No refunds or exchanges. Since we work in pairs, please attend both days and complete all homework so no one is left out of the final presentations.
2nd Saturday in September & February · 10 a.m.–noon for 12 weeks · 2–4 clients
Twelve weekly Saturday Circles: 36 hours of private small-group coaching for serious writers focused on story structure and rewrites of plays, screenplays and memoirs. For writers who have completed the Writers’ Retreat, FixMyStory or a private coaching package, or former writing clients, with a rough draft in hand.
Do all the assigned work and you’ll leave with a complete draft of your play, screenplay or memoir. Payment plan: 8 payments of $400 if your account is in good standing. No refunds. Bonus: the 2-Day Writers’ Retreat free ($680 value).
Let’s figure out why your story is not quite there yet. Day 1: hear your script read aloud and get comprehensive page-by-page notes; go home, rewrite, and come back with a second draft. Day 2: hear the new draft read aloud, followed by a notes session and next steps.
You’ll need a first draft or at least 50 pages of a script, play or memoir. Take the notes and do the rewrites, and you’ll leave with a finished draft. Complete it within 3 months of purchase.
Susan Heyward’s “Permission to be a StoryTeller” was taken directly from the recordings she made in class, unedited. Juan Francisco Villa built his award-winning solo show from stories he told in the Circle.
All classes are virtual Zoom classes. You can dial in or log on from anywhere in the world.
How do I get started?
The easiest way to start is the StoryTelling Circle Writers’ Retreat payment plan: two payments of $340. You’ll get 10 hours of personal attention, because the retreat is limited to 8 writers. Or try the 3-hour one-day workshop for $199.
Do I need writing experience?
No writing experience is required. The Circle is particularly good for first-time, anxious or blocked writers.
What makes the StoryTelling Circle different?
The StoryTelling Circle begins with learning story structure by sourcing your oral memories first, taking advantage of the natural storytelling gifts you use in real life to communicate what you need, love and dream about. The way you speak is your writer’s voice in the circle. And when your writer’s voice has the attention of a rapt audience, stories fall from your lips and onto the page effortlessly.
What’s your pricing model?
We offer payment plans to make joining the circle easy, as well as PayPal Pay Later. Payment plans are available if your account is in good standing.
What’s it like to work with April?
Fun. Like that one aunt that is brilliantly unfettered in her opinions and interests. Well travelled and free of heart, April is the teacher who wants you to take your stories out into the world and transform your life. Making a living from your stories and creating a life that matches your dreams is the ultimate goal. You know, the stuff no one teaches you in school.
How can I contact you?
Email April@thedreamunlocked.com or use the contact page. April aims to reply within one business day.
Questions and answers are coming soon.
Secure your spot in the Circle
Small groups of 4–8 writers fill up. Reserve the Writers’ Retreat, try the one-day workshop, or start with a pay-what-you-can Discovery Session.
