How to Write a Memoir

Name: How to Write a Memoir
Rating: 4.5 (14 reviews)

Learn to compose and create an autobiography, memoir, or work of non-fiction.

Created byGavin Boyter

Last updated 7/2023

English

What you'll learn

Learn to create and write a memoir or non-fiction book.
Identify the core of your story.
Learn about theme, tense, structure, dialogue and more.
Find out how to publish and market your memoir.

Course content

1 section • 17 lectures • 2h 15m total length

Introduction: Learn what makes a good memoir.3:28
Introducing the topic of memoir writing and why it is a unique form with it own structural and thematic approaches.
Finding Your Story7:42
We discuss how to find your own story, and shape it so that readers will be engrossed.
Identifying your Theme12:00
Choosing a Tense7:35
A discussion of the benefits of past and present tense.
Exploring Structure11:47
Forewords and Prefaces8:51
How to Research10:37
How to research the subject matter underlying your memoir.
Techniques I: Foreshadowing4:06
Using foreshadowing to offer a promise of things to come.
Techniques II: Dialogue5:37
When and how to use dialogue.
Techniques III: Adding Value6:55
Maps, appendices, illustrations, indexes and more.
Blog to Memoir4:12
The difference between a personal blog and a memoir, and how to turn one into the other.
Common Pitfalls10:54
Summary Exercise4:53
Learn to write the back page "selling copy" for your book.
Marketing I: Writing a Pitch7:32
Pitching your book to sell or market it.
Marketing II: Publishing9:29
The pros and cons of traditional and self-publishing.
Marketing III: Social Media8:32
How to use social media to market your memoir.
Dealing with Rejection & Success11:18

Requirements

No prior experience required.

Description

In this memoir writing course, author and filmmaker Gavin Boyter will talk you through the process of turning your life story into a compelling narrative. You'll learn about theme, tense, and structure, as well as pick up some of the tricks of the trade, including how to conduct research and when to use dialogue. Gavin provides examples from his own published work and those of other autobiographical writers including David Sedaris and Gavin Maxwell.

As well as learning how to shape and compose your personal narrative, the course includes sections on publishing (including self-publishing) and tips on marketing your book on social media. It's an accessible course, requiring no prior knowledge.

The course includes two short exercises, which you can complete in your own time, plus 17 individual, in-depth video lessons, each of which contains an optional exercise at the end.

Starting with a module on finding your story and identifying key themes, the course then talks students through the process of shaping and structuring a memoir, including information on prefaces and introductions, appendices, photos, indexes, maps and more. It even includes a section on common pitfalls to avoid, and how to pitch your non-fiction book ideas to publishers, giving you the best chance of securing an advance.

Everyone has a story to tell, so dig in and prepare to turn yours from a burning ambition into a reality.

Who this course is for:

Anyone with a burning desire to tell their story.