Ready to Write Your Memoir? Here's How to Begin with Liz Alterman—March 22

Thinking about telling your story but wondering where and how to get started? This class explores the elements that will make your memoir shine and inspire you to begin.

Everyone has a story to tell but figuring out where to begin and how to tell it well can be challenging. Join Liz Alterman, author of the memoir Sad Sacked, for a 90-minute workshop in which you'll identify your memoir's overarching theme and explore emotional stakes, characters, setting, and structure. We'll also talk about that dreaded beast called "platform" and discuss how to start making a name for yourself. This class will help you shed the fear that's been holding you back and inspire you to begin.

What you will learn how to

• Clarify your memoir's theme/message

• Identify your audience (and why that matters)

• Explore structure options based on bestselling memoirs

• Handle complicated real life characters

• Use your voice to tell the story in a way only you can

Workshop takeaways

• Establish an overarching theme and learn how to use it as a through-line

• Determine where to begin

• Understand how to use setting and the senses to build a vibrant world

• Use voice to create vivid characters and crisp dialogue

• What to do if you feel stuck + resources to stay motivated

• Ways to boost your platform while writing

Participants will be provided with a hand-out that summarizes the topics covered.

Additional info

This workshop will be recorded for the convenience of those unable to attend live. The recorded session will be emailed to participants the following day.

About the Instructor

Liz Alterman is the author of the memoir Sad Sacked, the young adult thriller He’ll Be Waiting, a finalist for the Dante Rossetti Young Adult Fiction award, and the domestic suspense novels The Perfect Neighborhood and The House on Cold Creek Lane. Her work has been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and numerous other outlets. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, three sons, and two cats, and spends most days microwaving the same cup of coffee and looking up synonyms. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading. For more, visit lizalterman.com.