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Sue Bradford Edwards

Writer--Reviewer--Teacher--Historian

Memoir Writing

This course can help if you:

Have personal stories that you would love to write up but don't know where to start;
Find yourself taking endless notes and making outlines but never start writing the memoir itself; or
You simply like the idea of writing a memoir and have no idea where to begin.

Like Children's Nonfiction, this course it taught through e-mail correspondence. But because it was created for alumni of the other course, it is written as a supplemental course--with the assumption that most students have a certain amount of writing experience.

LECTURE 1: WHAT MEMOIRS ARE & WHERE TO FIND THEM

This lesson gives an overview of what a memoir consists of--from memory to a pivotal event. It compares memoirs written for adults to those written for children.

LECTURE 2: AUTOBIOGRAPHY VERSUS MEMOIR

This lesson discusses the differences in scope between these two types of writing as well as how memoir writers must act to limit the scope of their work.

LECTURE 3: RESEARCHING THE MEMOIR

Because it is based on memory, many people assume little or no research will be required of the memoirist. This session focuses on why and how to seek reference materials before beginning a memoir.

LECTURE 4: JARRING LOOSE THOSE MEMORIES

This lesson-long exercise is designed to help writers jar loose memories to fuel their memoir.

LECTURE 5: BASIC STRUCTURE

Learn where to begin a memoir--whether the most effective starting point is the "begining" or a hook. Also examine the role of setting and yourself as hero. And, most important of all, how to maintain the integrity in what you write.

LECTURE 6: CLIMAX

The climax scene features the event that was central to the entire piece of writing. In this lesson, learn how to start with this scene to create a focused piece of writing.

LECTURE 7: REWRITING

Even in a memoir, the rewrite is all important. Learn to fine to your work for character, mood, and action as well as the importance of letting hot topics settle before writing.

Memoir Writing costs only $80.00 for 7 classes offered over 4 weeks. Each class consists of a detailed e-mail "lecture" with accompanying handouts and an assignment. I review each assignment several times before making comments.

To register for this course, visit the Courses page at Scribe & Quill.

Contact Sue.