Legacy Description of Memoir Writing Course
We are working on upgrading our online presence to offer more robust courses.
We will offer the memoir writing course again in the future! Currently, we are working on upgrading our system and updating our current to better suit the needs of our students.
Until then, feel free to read the description of the class as we used to run it. If you are interested in a class along the lines of what is described, please join our memoir writing mailing list to stay updated.
WRITE YOUR SOUL-STIRRING STORY
STRUCTURE YOUR MEMOIR IN 5 WEEKS ($250)
From Life Experience to Meaningful Story
Have your memories been stirring inside you ready to be shared in a memoir? Imagine drafting your first manuscript before the year ends. This isn’t impossible—we will plan how to accomplish it together.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
This five-class course is designed specifically for first-time memoirists as well as writers who need a boost of encouragement and structured guidance. Participants will develop necessary skills as well as a plan of action to complete a compelling memoir.
THE COURSE INCLUDES:
Five comprehensive weekly sessions that systematically structure your memoir:
Week 1: WHY?
Writing with Purpose Workshop (INCLUDED)
Discover what you want to share by writing your story. This will fuel you through the entire writing journey which is often convoluted and cantankerous. Understanding your “why” will provide clarity and keep you grounded as you navigate the emotional and creative challenges of memoir writing.
Week 2: WHO'S IN YOUR STORY?
Portraying Real People with Care
People in your memoir are real, so they must be written with honesty and integrity. Learn how to use storytelling techniques that bring people to life on the page while balancing ethical concerns. Additionally, we will discuss how to write about yourself! There are many narrative choices to make. You can write your story as you are now, or as you were when the events happened many years ago. Let’s explore how to make all the real-life people come to life on the page.
Week 3: WHERE ARE WE?
Setting your Story in Time and Place
Your memoir’s setting isn’t just scenery. It shapes the reader’s experiences and influences how your narrative is received. Paying attention to details of real historical events as well as fashions and fads will lend your memoir historical accuracy as well as gravitas. Learn to recreate the world of your memories with vivid details that immerse readers in your journey. You can add mood and theme by paying attention to your word choices.
Week 4: WHAT'S YOUR STORY?
Structuring Your Memoir
Unlike life, memoirs don’t always follow a strict chronological order. Flashbacks, reflections, and thematic structures can add depth to your storytelling. Explore different ways to frame your memoir so it is both engaging and emotionally powerful. This session will give you many ideas for how to best organize your writing.
Week 5: WHAT'S NEXT?
From Ideas to First Draft
You’ve gathered stories, journaled memories, and written sections of your book—so what comes next? This session helps you take the next step: shaping your ideas into a clear, compelling draft of your memoir. We’ll walk through the writing process, explore strategies for turning raw material into a book-length manuscript, and answer your lingering questions about structure, characters, writing habits, and more. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a plan to keep moving forward.
EXTRAS!
Class Materials: Each week you will be sent materials from the class session.
Inspiration to Write: You are personally invited to attend Inspiration to Write.
BY THE END OF THE FIVE WEEKS,
YOU WILL HAVE A DETAILED FRAMEWORK INCLUDING:
- Who the key people in your story are and how to portray them authentically.
- What your memoir’s core themes are.
- Where your story takes place and how to portray it’s time and place.
- When key events occur and how to organize them effectively.
- Why this story is important—to you as the writer and to your future readers.
- How you will complete your first draft.
WHY A STRUCTURED PLAN MATTERS
If you’re going to invest time and energy in writing your memoir, having a detailed framework will help you stay organized and focused.
Meet your Instructor
Dr. Rehema Clarken is a published author and university professor with decades of experience in writing and teaching. She has written short stories, academic works, and published a young adult fantasy novel, Pyrrha’s Journey.
Her personal motto—“Write, Teach, Serve”—encapsulates her approach to this course. Dr. Clarken has designed this class specifically to help first-time novelists avoid the common obstacles that delay the completion of writing projects.
Interested in the Next Iteration of Our Memoir Writing Course?
Join our memoir writing mailing list to be updated as we upgrade our online presence to offer more robust courses. We will email everyone on the memoir writing mailing list when we launch the next iteration!
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