The Stories We Keep: Using Objects to Unlock Memory and Meaning

Enjoy a glass of wine, and learn how to use photographs and meaningful objects to anchor personal essays. What can a coffee cup, a scarf, a photograph or a piece of jewelry reveal about a moment in time, an experience or a special person in your life? Join essayist and journalist Della Cassia for an interactive workshop exploring the literary technique known as the Objective Correlative — the use of objects to evoke emotion, reveal meaning and deepen storytelling. Through guided writing exercises and discussion, participants will learn how everyday objects or keepsakes can serve as powerful entry points into memoir, personal essays and short stories. Whether you're struggling to access a memory, develop a scene or add emotional depth to your writing, this workshop will provide practical tools you can use immediately. Attendees are encouraged to bring a meaningful object. Everyone will leave with new writing, fresh insights and a deeper understanding of how the things we keep can help us tell the stories that matter most. Please bring your favorite notebook or writing materials. We'll supply the purple pens! Location: Sante Wine Tasting Room 33314 Grand River Ave. Farmington, MI 48336 Street parking is free along Grand River. Tickets: The workshop includes your choice of a glass of wine or a wine flight with three 2.5-ounce pours. • Option 1: $65 for workshop + one glass of wine • Option 2: $75 for workshop + flight of wine DWR members can use their member code for 20% off! Tickets are non-refundable. Space is limited to 35 attendees. Gratuity is covered with your ticket! About Della Cassia Della Cassia is a Michigan-based writer, journalist, and educator who immigrated to Michigan from Lebanon at age 16 to pursue her American Dream. After working for various media outlets and covering local and national stories, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector, where she spent more than a decade as director of communications and public relations for The Engineering Society of Detroit and Detroit Public Television. Della is currently an adjunct professor and freelance writer whose work has appeared in various publications, including Literary Mama, Her View From Home, and Technology Century magazine. She is also working on a collection of essays about being raised in a war-torn country and coming of age in America. About the Detroit Writing Room The Detroit Writing Room offers an inspirational community for writers, creatives and professionals. Whether you’re working on the next Great American novel or a resume, the Writing Room has 50 professional writing coaches to help with all your writing needs. We also host book talks, writing workshops and literary events. Visit detroitwritingroom.com to sign up for coaching, memberships, events and more. Check out newyorkwritingroom.com to see our New York-based coaching team. About Santé At Santé, our mission is simple: to make wine approachable and enjoyable for everyone. That's why we take pride in helping you find wines that you'll truly love — because any wine you love is a good wine. Just like everyone has a unique story, so does each wine. Join us at Santé Wine Tasting Room to relax, share stories, and create lasting memories. Every bottle here holds a narrative, waiting to be discovered by you. Cheers to community, connection, and the joy of finding your next favorite wine!