Skip to Content

Welcome!

If this is your first time logging in on our new website, please first!

Log-In

Forgot your password?

Don't have a Grub profile?

Enter your email and we'll send you directions on setting (or resetting) your password.

Submit

Wait, I remembered! Let me .

Enter your your details to create a new account. To finish activating your account, please check your email for an activation link before you log-in.

Create your account here. Later you can fill out your full profile.

Sign-Up

Nevermind. I just need to .

  • Seminar
  • Online: Zoom
  • Adult (18+)

Finding Your Memoir

No Longer Enrolling

  • $150.00 Non-Member
  • $130.00 Member

Class Description

This hands-on workshop is designed for writers who are interested in sharing key elements of their life stories. In this full-day session we will discuss the structure of book-length memoir and key features of this genre including: finding your theme or through-line; dealing with internal and external conflict; the power of voice in memoir; telling the truth/writing about family; and structuring a memoir.
We will do several short writing exercises in class focusing on the following--identifying potential turning points in your story; finding an opening hook or inciting incident; conveying emotional stakes; and playing with structure.
We will also review short excerpts/examples from several published memoirs. Come prepared to write, and bring a brief one-two paragraph description of your project to share with the class.
You'll leave the session with a clearer sense of your through-line and theme, new tools to assist you in creating your book's structure, and practical techniques to continue working on your project.
Scholarships Format/Location

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

This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.

Zoom Participation:

In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.

Zoom Accessibility:

You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.