Join me online!
The best narrative nonfiction grabs attention and holds it using storytelling techniques found in fiction. My online classes are the perfect place to learn these techniques. I offer individualized help, structure, and support in the comfort of your own home. Your writings are confidential, between us and anyone you choose to share them with.
Six Essentials of Memoir Writing: Truth Becomes Art
At last, a chance to get the guidance to write what you want to about your life, whatever your age or topic. Students of this online memoir writing class get to build skills using interesting craft lessons while enjoying the motivating structure of having regular deadlines. By the end of the six weeks, you could have 10,000 new words written and your memoir off to a great start or further along to where you want it to be.
The best memoir uses the same storytelling techniques as fiction — convincing characters, believable dialog, vivid scenes, descriptive details. Publishable memoirs also have a clear theme and narrative arc. I teach the craft of memoir and provide the structure, support, and inspiration to keep you productive.
Writing memoir is different from journaling. In journaling we describe or explore whatever we are feeling or want to chronicle as it occurs to us. It’s about self-expression. Writing a story about a life experience means that we have to create a shape for it, define the focus. The exploration and expression happens in a creative place as truth becomes art.
On Saturdays you’re emailed a PDF craft lesson of several pages. These are info-packed lessons, with good examples from reputable, published memoirs and one or two craft exercises for you so you can practice what you’ve learned.
For an additional $150 for the entire program you can add the value of useful critique of your writing. Writings may be up to 2,000 words in length. Your due date to email your writings to me is 7 days after receipt of the lesson. My critique is emailed to you along with the next lesson on Mondays.
Here’s some of what you’ll learn about in the course:
- Scope (including development of the outline for your book or topics list for stories series)
- Narrative Voice
- Writing Scenes
- Writing Good Dialog
- Showing Character
- Vivid Description
- 6 Weeks
- 6 lessons $150 | with critique of writings $325
- PayPal and Cashier’s Check Accepted
One-On-One Memoir Writing Program — 2013
This program gives graduates of The Essentials of Memoir Writing or experienced writers the structure of due dates and regular feedback on your work as you write about on memoir topics of your choice. Students submit writings of up to 2,000 words by email for feedback as often as once per week. I return your writing with detailed critique about its strengths and areas for improvement by email within 72 hours.
The depth of critique on each piece is up to you. Some writers prefer to use the course to inspire them to write more and make them accountable to a writing schedule; others want detailed written critique.
Start the first Saturday of any month. The program begins with your brief introduction by email, summarizing your project and your goals for the 4 weeks. Your first writing is due 1 week after your start date. Example: If your program dates are May 5 – June 16 , your first due date will be May 12.
Time involved? The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it, but no matter what, you’ll learn and grow as a writer.
One-On-One Memoir Writing Program
- Starts the first Saturday of any month
- $200 | 4 Sessions
- PayPal and Cashier’s Check by Mail Accepted
Start making real progress.
