Memoir Revision Essentials: Beginnings

The opening pages of a memoir are crucial. Your beginning can leave a reader spellbound, or cause them to abandon the book altogether. And yet, beginnings are notoriously difficult to master. This seminar, designed for those who’ve completed a memoir draft, will give you actionable craft techniques for honing the opening pages of your manuscript. We’ll discuss how to establish the stakes early, build tension, and introduce the “world” and characters of your memoir. 

Through a series of in-class exercises and readings, you’ll learn actionable ways to strengthen the opening of your memoir. Expect to leave this class with a toolbox of craft techniques and a detailed plan for moving toward revision.

Class Format

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. About 15 minutes before your class is scheduled to begin, you'll receive an email from your instructor with a link to join the class meeting!

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.