memoir writing course

Find the right true story to tell in this foundational class in writing book-length memoirs.

What you can learn.

About this course:

Spring 2023 schedule.

Enrollment limited to 15 students. Internet access required.

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PUBLIC SYLLABUS FOR THIS COURSE.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

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Memoir coach and author Marion Roach

Learn everything you need to write what you know.

Classes: Live and Recorded, for Every Level

I teach what I call “writing with intent.” There are no writing prompts or silly exercises in my online memoir classes, here on this site or in my book on how to write memoir . Why? Because while I’ve had thousands of people in my classes in recovery from all manners of addiction, the greatest number of them are in recovery from writing exercises that fritter away what little time most of us have to write. Put them away. Let me teach you to transform your work into writing that others want to read. Let’s work together in one of my online memoir writing classes. There are both live and recorded classes offered below.

I am a published author, a teacher, as well as a memoir editor . This means that you are in good, experienced hands here. I know what it means to bring a book to the market. But first, I know how to write that book.

These days I teach online, and each virtual memoir writing class is designed to teach you how to become a fine memoir writer, whether you want to blog, write personal essays, Op-Eds, or book-length memoir. I’ve written and published all of those forms of memoir, in publications including The New York Times Magazine , The New York Times Science pages, The Los Angeles Times and the four biggest mass-market publishers of books .

Want a full description of each of my online memoir classes? Click on those of interest below. Taken all of the classes below already? Work with me or one of our skilled editors one-on-one through our memoir-editing/coaching services .

Live Classes for Beginners

Memoirama 1

Everyone starts here . Learn Discover the principles of good memoir, get the tools to start writing immediately, and ask me questions during the live Q&A.

Memoirama 2

Take this next. Learn book structure. Get direct feedback from Marion as you map out your book beat by beat, chapter by chapter, and scene by scene.

How to Write Opinion Pieces

Ready to Write & Publish? Test your voice in the world by writing solid pieces for newspaper op-ed pages, public radio, and digital sites. Ask me questions during the live Q&A.

The Advanced Memoir Classes

The master class.

Now you can write a book. Limited to 6 students, in this class you will write the first draft of your book and receive feedback. The class meets live, online for 3 hours, once a month for six months.

Your Memoir Project

Want it now? This is the Master Class, but self-paced and recorded. Learn to write book-length memoir, but without waiting for the next live Master Class to begin. Six recorded episodes and a workbook.

Recorded Classes for Both Beginners & Advanced Students

Memoirama 1 — recorded.

Entry level class. Discover the foundational principles of good memoir, get the tools to start writing immediately, and ask me questions during the live Q&A.

Memoirama 2 —Recorded

Take this next. This class focuses on a key aspect of any successful memoir: structure. Map it out beat by beat, chapter by chapter, and scene by scene so that you can go home with a working structure for your memoir.

How to Write Opinion Pieces — Recorded

Take this third. Learn how to launch your writing career by writing solid pieces for newspaper op-ed pages, public radio airing, and publication on digital sites.

How to Write a Personal Essay — Recorded

Taught only in recorded form. Essays are a wonderful way to gain the exposure you need to write memoir without committing to writing a full book. In this class, I’ll teach you the framework I’ve used to write dozens of personal essays that have been read by hundreds and thousands of people.

Your Memoir Project

Write your book. This recorded course features all the lecture material and instruction from The Master Class (see above), teaching you to write book-length memoir at your own, self-paced speed. Six episodes plus a workbook.

Gotham Writers

Memoir writing i.

Memoir Writing I is a 10-week workshop, which includes lectures, exercises, and the critiquing of student projects. It’s for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.

Every life holds many tales. Whether your life is wildly unconventional or relatively normal, there’s bound to be something fascinating about it. That’s why the contemporary memoir—everyday people telling their stories—has become such a popular phenomenon. A memoir covers an aspect of a life, whether it’s a short piece about, say, a bicycle ride with a friend, or a book about, say, your entire childhood.

To make readers care, your memoir must be told with the finesse of fiction. Here you’ll learn techniques for focusing your life stories, as well as well as writing craft and how to market your work.

Whether you seek to write essay-length pieces or a book, we’ll show you how to best tell the stories from your life.

The online class was a great way to fit writing into my busy schedule. The class discussions and teacher feedback were invaluable

Joe Mefford

Upcoming Classes NYC COVID Info

Registration fee $25, paid once per term

To register for a 10-Week course, you need to pay in full to guarantee your place in class. Or you can pay a $95 deposit plus a $25 registration fee (total $120) to temporarily hold your place, but tuition must be paid in full 10 business days before your class starts or you risk losing your spot.

Anytime, week-long sessions

Tuition: $419 (returning students: $389)

Tour an Online Class

Real-time videoconference

Tour a Zoom Class

Tuition: $445 (returning students: $415)

Tour an NYC Class

Tuition: $1,795

Explore One-on-One Options

This course gives you a firm grounding in the basics of memoir craft and gets you writing a short memoir (or two) or a book. Course components: Lectures Writing exercises Workshopping of student projects (each student presenting work two times) New York City/Zoom classes The syllabus varies from teacher to teacher, term to term. Many topics will be similar to those covered in the Online classes.

Online classes Week 1 Introduction to Memoir: The contemporary memoir defined. Short and long memoirs. Finding the “who cares?” in your story. Focusing on an aspect of your life. Types of memoirs—coming of age, adversity, relationship, career, travel.

Week 2 Mining Your Memory: How “true” must it be? Researching your past. The balance of being “actor” and “observer.” Not using memoir as therapy. Facing the truth.

Week 3 Character: Thinking of real people as characters. Making characters dimensional through desire and contrasts. Creating character profiles. Showing vs. Telling. Methods for showing characters.

Week 4 Plot: Finding a major dramatic question. Shaping a beginning, middle, and end. The difference between short and long plots. Pros and cons of outlining.

Week 5 Description: Using the senses. Specificity. Techniques for creativity. Finding the right words. Merging description with point of view.

Week 6 Dialogue: The importance of scene. Turning real life conversations into dialogue. Quotation marks and tags. Stage directions. Summarized dialogue. Characterization through dialogue. Subtext.

Week 7 Point of View/Voice: Point of view defined. First person and other memoir alternatives. Voice defined. Exploration of the various types of voice. Tips for finding your voice.

Week 8 Setting/Pacing: Creating setting through time, place, and weather. Description of setting. Mood and emotion of setting. How to manipulate time through pacing. Flashbacks.

Week 9 Theme/Revision: Theme defined. Types of theme. Weaving theme into a story. Exploration of the various stages of revision.

Week 10 The Business: Proper format for manuscripts. How to target publishing houses, literary magazines, and agents. How to send your work out. Query letters.

Note: Content may vary among individual classes.

Barbara Schoichet

Barbara Schoichet is the author of the memoir Don’t Think Twice: Adventure and Healing at 100 Miles Per Hour (Putnam) and the nonfiction book The New Single Woman: Discovering a Life of Her Own (Lowell House). Her short stories have appeared in MSS , the Sarah Lawrence Review , Permafrost Magazine, and Westword, and she has worked as a literary agent for Flannery, White and Stone, as an editor for RGA Publishing, and head publicity writer for Paramount Pictures. She has taught at Denver University, Lancaster University, Long Beach City College, Santa Fe Community College, and Stephens College. She holds a BA from Stephens College, an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, and a Ph.D in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in England.

Cindy House

Cindy House is the author of the memoir Mother Noise (Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books), and her essays and short fiction have appeared in Passengers Journal , Lily Poetry Review , Wig Leaf , Solstice Literary Magazine , Longleaf Review , and So To Speak , among others. She is a humorist who opens regularly for David Sedaris at Kennedy Center, Symphony Hall, and The Town Hall in New York, among others. She teaches in the MFA program at Lesley University. She attended the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and holds an MFA in Fiction from Lesley University.

Cullen Thomas

Cullen Thomas is the author of the memoir Brother One Cell (Viking). His nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine , the Washington Post , The Daily Beast, Salon , The Rumpus, The Sonora Review, World Hum , Current Biography , and Penthouse . He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and the National Geographic channel and has taught at NYU. He holds a BA from Binghamton University.

David Berner

David Berner is the author of the memoirs Walks with Sam , October Song , (both Roundfire) and The Consequence of Stars (Adelaide); the novels Things Behind the Sun (Adelaide) and A Well-Respected Man (Strategic); and the novella Sandman: A Golf Tale (Roundfire, forthcoming). His essays and short stories have appeared in Chicagoland Journal , Clef Notes, Epiphany , Eunoia Review , Longshot Island , Under the Gum Tree , and Write City . He is a reporter/anchor for WBBM Radio-Chicago and a contributor to the CBS Radio Network. He is the producer/writer of the audio documentaries NaNoWriMo (PRX/WRST Oshkosh, WI), Bracelets of Grace (Prairie Public Radio), and Finding My Kerouac (WFUV Radio, NYC). He teaches at Columbia College. He holds a BS from Clarion University, an MA in Teaching from Aurora University, and an MFA in Creative Writing-Nonfiction from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Jil Picariello

Jil Picariello is the co-author of the memoir Jessica Lost (Union Square Press). She is the Theater Editor for ZealNYC , and her nonfiction has appeared in Afar , Food + Wine , New York , Seventeen , and USA Today . She has worked as a copywriter for New York and People , as copy chief for The Parenting Group at Time Warner, and as copy director for Reader’s Digest . She has taught at Media Bistro. She holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA in creative writing from The New School.

Joselin Linder

Joselin Linder is the author of the memoir The Family Gene (Ecco/Harper Collins), and co-author of the nonfiction books The Gamification Revolution (McGraw Hill), Game-Based Marketing (Wiley and Sons), and The Good Girl’s Guide to Living in Sin (Adams Media). She is also co-author of the humor books The Stoned Family Robinson (Adams Media) and The Purity Test (St. Martin’s Press). Her nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times , Elle , This American Life , NPR’s Morning Edition , StoryCollider , Life of the Law , and the New York Post . She holds a BA from Tufts University.

Scott LaCounte

Scott LaCounte (also writing as Scott Douglas) is a long-time contributor to McSweeney’s , from which his humor series was turned into the memoir Quiet, Please: Dispatches From a Public Librarian (Da Capo Books). He has independently published a wide range of books on religion, as well as books for children and in the science fiction and humor genres. He holds a BA from California State University-Fullerton, and an MLIS in Library Science from San Jose State University.

is the author of the memoir Don’t Think Twice: Adventure and Healing at 100 Miles Per Hour (Putnam) and the nonfiction book The New Single Woman: Discovering a Life of Her Own (Lowell House). Her short stories have appeared in MSS , the Sarah Lawrence Review , Permafrost Magazine, and Westword, and she has worked as a literary agent for Flannery, White and Stone, as an editor for RGA Publishing, and head publicity writer for Paramount Pictures. She has taught at Denver University, Lancaster University, Long Beach City College, Santa Fe Community College, and Stephens College. She holds a BA from Stephens College, an MFA in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College, and a Ph.D in Creative Writing from Lancaster University in England.

is the author of the memoir Mother Noise (Scribner/Marysue Rucci Books), and her essays and short fiction have appeared in Passengers Journal , Lily Poetry Review , Wig Leaf , Solstice Literary Magazine , Longleaf Review , and So To Speak , among others. She is a humorist who opens regularly for David Sedaris at Kennedy Center, Symphony Hall, and The Town Hall in New York, among others. She teaches in the MFA program at Lesley University. She attended the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and holds an MFA in Fiction from Lesley University.

is the author of the memoir Brother One Cell (Viking). His nonfiction has appeared in the New York Times Magazine , the Washington Post , The Daily Beast, Salon , The Rumpus, The Sonora Review, World Hum , Current Biography , and Penthouse . He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and the National Geographic channel and has taught at NYU. He holds a BA from Binghamton University.

is the author of the memoirs Walks with Sam , October Song , (both Roundfire) and The Consequence of Stars (Adelaide); the novels Things Behind the Sun (Adelaide) and A Well-Respected Man (Strategic); and the novella Sandman: A Golf Tale (Roundfire, forthcoming). His essays and short stories have appeared in Chicagoland Journal , Clef Notes, Epiphany , Eunoia Review , Longshot Island , Under the Gum Tree , and Write City . He is a reporter/anchor for WBBM Radio-Chicago and a contributor to the CBS Radio Network. He is the producer/ writer of the audio documentaries NaNoWriMo (PRX/WRST Oshkosh, WI), Bracelets of Grace (Prairie Public Radio), and Finding My Kerouac (WFUV Radio, NYC). He teaches at Columbia College. He holds a BS from Clarion University, an MA in Teaching from Aurora University, and an MFA in Creative Writing-Nonfiction from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

is the co-author of the memoir Jessica Lost (Union Square Press). She is the Theater Editor for ZealNYC , and her nonfiction has appeared in Afar , Food + Wine , New York , Seventeen , and USA Today . She has worked as a copywriter for New York and People , as copy chief for The Parenting Group at Time Warner, and as copy director for Reader’s Digest . She has taught at Media Bistro. She holds a BFA from New York University and an MFA in creative writing from The New School.

is the author of the memoir The Family Gene (Ecco/Harper Collins), and co-author of the nonfiction books The Gamification Revolution (McGraw Hill), Game-Based Marketing (Wiley and Sons), and The Good Girl’s Guide to Living in Sin (Adams Media). She is also co-author of the humor books The Stoned Family Robinson (Adams Media) and The Purity Test (St. Martin’s Press). Her nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times , Elle , This American Life , NPR’s Morning Edition , StoryCollider , Life of the Law , and the New York Post . She holds a BA from Tufts University.

(also writing as Scott Douglas) is a long-time contributor to McSweeney’s , from which his humor series was turned into the memoir Quiet, Please: Dispatches From a Public Librarian (Da Capo Books). He has independently published a wide range of books on religion, as well as books for children and in the science fiction and humor genres. He holds a BA from California State University-Fullerton, and an MLIS in Library Science from San Jose State University.

Related Courses

Essay & opinion writing i.

Various types of viewpoint writing—essays, op-eds, reviews, and more.

Humor Writing

Prose writing with a humorous slant—fiction, memoir, essay, you name it.

Creative Nonfiction 101

A great entry point for the creative forms of nonfiction—memoir, essay, feature articles, reviews, etc.

Write Your Memoir

Discover story creation, bring your story to life.

If you have the words, there's always a chance you'll find the way

This course focuses on one valuable element of memoir writing after another. Expect to have your eyes opened to imaginative memory prompts, guidance on tempting roads that could lead to dead ends, ideas on story development, structure and loads more.

Starting Soon

Online Memoir Course for USA/Europe/Canada: Sat 15 Apr 2023

Memoir Writing Retreat Ireland: May/Jun 2023

Memoir Writing Masterclass LIVE 6-month: 9 Jan to 25 Jun 2024

Receive Advice and Tips

Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization

Write Your Story with Confidence. Learn from four published memoirists and essayists the tools and tricks to write your story

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied learning project.

Through 16 writing assignments across the four courses, and from reading the work of others, learners will develop a toolset to put pen to paper (or keys to screen) and write the story of their life. You will collect a portfolio of work that you can use as components of your memoir or essay.

No prior experience required.

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See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

How the Specialization Works

Take courses.

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 4 Courses in this Specialization

Memoir and personal essay: managing your relationship with the reader.

The blank page can be the most daunting obstacle in writing. In this course, aspiring writers will assemble a “starter kit” for approaching the blank page by developing constructive ways to think about the writing process as a whole. While subsequent courses in this series will focus on the mechanics of good writing, this course offers ways to think about the writer’s relationship to her material, and ultimately develop a writing style that is uniquely her own.

Writing in First Person Point of View

If you have always wanted to tell your own story—in a memoir, first-person essay, or any other form of autobiographical non-fiction—but felt you lacked the tools or the framework, this is the class for you. We will learn how successful first-person writing is structured to offer the reader a sense of propulsive motion, and is guided by a narrator who is deliberately crafted. We will explore the ways in which language can be used to create tone, so that the emotional freight of your words is as potent as the storytelling. And crucially, we will consider the writer's responsibility to the reader: the importance of being a guide who includes the reader in the sensory, emotional, and intellectual experience you mean to share through your writing.

Writing a Personal Essay

This class is the chance to create your personal essay or extend into a full memoir -- from planning and structure to bold narrative brushstrokes to the layering of significant detail. You will develop the opportunity to find your voice and see it come alive, amplified and improved, on the page. This is the chance to tell your story in a way that invites readers in; your story, written to be read. The memoir and personal essay are two of the best-selling and most universally acclaimed genres in the world of modern creative writing. Welcome to your story.

Writing Stories About Ourselves

In this course, creative nonfiction writers will explore traditional storytelling methods, especially those which overlap between fiction and memoir. By looking at examples from a wide range of genres, including film, song, painting—even the theme music for Jaws!—we’ll practice exercising the creative muscle that sees ourselves as characters and the experiences we’ve had as tales. We’ll focus on critical elements, like how to begin a story, what makes for worthy content, the essential use of detail, the strengths and limits of dialogue, the power of the white space. The ultimate goal is for us to become aware of an “audience” when we write, so that the documentation of our lives will begin to resemble a “performance” crafted onto paper rather than a private entry in a journal.

Instructors

Greg Pardlo

Said Sayrafiezadeh

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?

If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy .

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Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid .

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

This Specialization doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Specialization Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more.

How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

The Specialization consists of four courses, which are designed to take about four weeks each but through which you should feel free to move at your own pace.

What background knowledge is necessary?

No experience is necessary beyond the desire to tell your story to someone - whether it's the world or your family or anything in between!

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center .

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5 Best Memoir Writing Courses Online to Bring Your Memories to Life

Writing a memoir is no simple task. After all, it’s your life . Here are the best memoir writing courses to help you infuse your work with structure and style.

"I've given my memoirs far more thought than any of my marriages. You can't divorce a book."

- Gloria Swanson

So you’ve decided to write a memoir…

Congratulations! But what next?

How do you put the puzzle pieces together and do justice to the emotional memories and unexpected series of events that have become your life?

Here are the best memoir writing courses online to guide you as you embark on this exciting new project.

Created by expert memoirists, these courses will gently guide you in those moments of literary darkness when you struggle to find the right words to express yourself and your past experiences.

With step-by-step templates and detailed examples, you’ll find that these memoir writing classes provide the perfect mix of structure and flexibility, so you can create clarity and flow while preserving your unique writing voice.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.

What are the Best Memoir Writing Courses?

Here are the best memoir writing courses to enroll in online this year:

1. Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization

How do you write about yourself so that others will want to read it?

That's the topic of this four-part specialization course on Coursera.

Watch and learn as instructors from the Shapiro Center for Writing share tips, prompts, exercises, readings and challenges to help every writer imagine, construct and write compelling pieces of non-fiction's most popular form: the personal narrative .

Program Syllabus:

Through 16 writing assignments across the four courses, and from reading the work of others, you will learn to put pen to paper (or keys to screen) and write the story of your life.

Best of all, you can transform your final portfolio into components of your memoir or essay.

Key course features:

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion.

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

No prior experience required.

Approximately 4 months to complete

=> Enroll in the Memoir and Personal Essay Specialization here .

2. Memoir Writing: Write a Personal Story for a Universal Audience

There’s no right way to tell a story but author and book coach Courtney Maum believes there is a right way to structure one.

In this Memoir Writing Class , she teaches aspiring authors how to create a compelling personal story using a three-act structure and a double timeline.

You'll begin by getting to know Courtney, the influences that have inspired her work over the years, and her experience with some of the biggest publishing houses in America, including Penguin Random House and The New York Times.

Then you'll learn what a memoir is, why they’re so popular, and the different forms a personal narrative can take.

As she walks you through building your own memoir, Courtney shares her advice for developing your narrative voice and knowing what to include and leave out of your personal story.

She also shows you how to keep yourself accountable during the writing process and how to generate a buzz around your story, even if you usually shy away from self-promotion.

Course Syllabus:

3. Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

Author, journalist, and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell has written five nonfiction New York Times bestsellers, so he certainly knows a thing or two about writing creative nonfiction.

"What is creative nonfiction?" you ask...

Well, according to Gladwell , creative nonfiction is the art of using various literary techniques to tell true stories. It requires special attention to perspective and accuracy.

These are elements that play a major role when you write a memoir.

In this MasterClass , Gladwell shows you how to tap into your own experiences and create dynamic, riveting pieces that explore your personal history.

The class is 4 hours 54 minutes long, and it includes 24 video lessons:

As you can see, the MasterClass addresses a wide range of topics , so it's perfect for anyone who wants to sharpen their writing skills in general.

In addition, when you sign up for Masterclass, you automatically gain unlimited access to 100+ classes taught by other top instructors (including other writers).

From my experience, it's totally worth it!

4. Kick Start Your Memoir - Writing Exercises

Need writing exercises to help you generate ideas for your memoir?

As author and course instructor Dale Darley explains, this isn't a "how to write a memoir."

Rather it's a kick start . A kick start that will help you to later plan, outline, write, edit and publish your book.

By going through exercises that get you to write "ten chapters of your life", you will learn to:

5. Writing The Truth: How to Start Writing Your Memoir

“We're all in this together trying to make sense of what it is to be a human being. And it's a hard and kind of beautiful and noble thing for you to try to do."

- Mary Karr

In this engaging Skillshare class , legendary memoirist Mary Karr (The Liar's Club, Cherry) describes the processes she relies on to write beautiful, visceral scenes that draw readers in.

Through a series of memory-focused writing exercises, Mary guides you through the tangled process of writing memoir and makes it clear, distinct, and actionable.

In just 56 minutes, you'll dive deep into Mary's approach to writing, including an exclusive look at the notebooks she's currently using to plan her next memoir, the commonplace book she uses to keep track of writing she loves, and bookshelves stacked with her favorite memoirs from years of avid reading.

Class Syllabus:

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a writer looking to tell the story of your life, a journaler searching for intriguing prompts, or a creative mind looking to learn from another creative mind, this class will unlock your ability to look inside yourself, analyze what you find, and share it with the world.

=> Sign up and enroll for free in the "Writing the Truth" class here .

Thanks for checking out this post on the best memoir writing courses online. Hopefully you've found a few options that will provide you with guidance and support for the task ahead.

Since quotes seem to have been the running theme of this blog post, I'll leave you with one last quote by Stephen King:

“Words create sentences; sentences create paragraphs; sometimes paragraphs quicken and begin to breathe.”

Although the thought of writing a memoir might seem daunting, once you equip yourself with the right tools and education, you're already one step ahead.

Keep moving forward to the best of your ability, and in the end you'll be left with a breathtaking masterpiece!

All the best,

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Ensure a strong middle throughline for any story. Say goodbye to the "mushy middle," and hello to stories that work.

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Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Getting Started Marketing Your Work

Solve the mystery of marketing and get your work out there in front of readers in this 4-week online class taught by Instructor Gloria Kempton.

A Writerly Life: Develop a Writing Routine that Works for You

With shelby hinte.

What does a writer's life look like? Build a productive writing habit in this course for writers of all backgrounds.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Next-Level Creative Nonfiction: Elevating Essays, Memoir, Travel Writing & Literary Journalism

With wendy call.

Elevate your memoir, travel writing, literary journalism, & lyric and personal essays.

Creative Nonfiction , Memoir , Personal Essay

May Courses

The hero’s journey for storytellers.

Structure your story and give it meaning with Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel

Isola dei Morti IV_(Bocklin) WikiCommons

Anatomy of a Premise Line: How to Use Story and Premise Development for Writing Success

The premise line is the only reliable tool that can tell you, BEFORE you start writing, whether or not your story will “work.” In this class participants will learn how to master the process of premise line development—the essential first step in any book or screenplay’s development process.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Stage and Broadcast

Creative Nonfiction: The Art of Telling True Stories

With nicole hardy.

How do you tell your stories beautifully and authentically? Learn the fundamentals of creative nonfiction with Nicole Hardy.

July Courses

Starting to write.

For those who want to kick start their writing into high gear.

Unscheduled Courses

These online writing classes don’t currently have a next session on our calendar, but will soon. If you see a course you’re interested in, use the “I’m Interested” button to let us know, and we’ll follow up with you when the course is on our calendar next.

Want to reach us or our instructors with questions about our online writing courses? Contact us at [email protected] , or visit the contact form .

(Live Workshop) Dream Writing

With zining mok.

How can writers harness the power of dreams? Let your slumber supercharge your creativity in this three hour dream writing workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Personal Essay

(Live Workshop) Get Clear on Your Story and Voice

With nadia colburn.

What is your story about? What is your voice? Whether you write poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, hone your writing in this 3 hour workshop.

(Live Workshop) Writing Beginnings and Endings

With sarah aronson.

How do you write a story that's compelling to start and satisfying to finish? Sarah Aronson explains in this comprehensive one-day workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story

*Private Class | Shadow Writing

Your unconscious can drive your writing or block it. Gloria Kempton will guide you in coaxing your shadow out of hiding.

Creative Nonfiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story

*Private Class | The Anti-Hero’s Journey for Storytellers

Throughout her writing career, Gloria Kempton has met many anti-heroes. In this course, you’ll receive feedback on your story antagonists.

Accessing Your Writer’s Voice

Voice: What is it and how do you find yours? Instructor Gloria Kempton offers feedback on assignments in this 3-week online class.

Block Buster: Turbocharge Your Creativity with Breakneck Writing

With gretchen clark.

Banish writer's block, unearth fresh ideas, and sharpen your storytelling ability with the practice of fast, timed writing.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Boost Your Imagination and Reap the Literary Rewards

It happens to all of us: life gets in the way and our creativity falters. Get back on track with this four-week creativity boosting class!

Branches of Creative Nonfiction

With tess fahlgren.

What are the different types of creative nonfiction? From the personal essay to the hermit crab, learn the ropes of CNF in this 8 week class.

But What Is Your Story Really About? Finding the Core of Your Short Memoir, Story, or Personal Essay

Take a four-week writing adventure deep into the core of your story, to find the true theme of your personal essay, short story, or short memoir.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Personal Essay , Short Story

Character Transformation Workshop: How to Write Stories that Emotionally Resonate

Learn how to write emotionally resonant journeys that stick with the reader, using the power of character transformation.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Claiming Our Stories: Autobiography, Memoir & Autobiographical Fiction

With anya achtenberg.

Turn your experience into fiction, autobiography, or creative memoir. Bring forward stories with a powerful truth at their core. Instructor Anya Achtenberg.

Craft Your Story: Short Fiction and Memoir Live Workshops

With margo perin.

Get tailored advice and inspiration for your fiction or nonfiction stories, in this weekly live workshop with award-winning instructor Margo Perin.

Crafting the Poetry Novel: Advanced Workshop

With kelly bingham.

Want to make headway on your poetry novel? This workshop offers the structure and resources to get it done, with instructor Kelly Bingham.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Poetry

Creating the Visual Journal

With lissa jensen.

Go beyond narrow definitions of “journaling" to include visual images and let writing give what is seen a new voice. Surprise yourself.

creating the visual journal | visual journal writing class

Creative Nonfiction and the Personal Essay

Course full. Contact us to join waitlist.

Gretchen Clark pick axes her way into the volcanic marriage of real life and fiction. Weekly writing with incisive feedback.

Deepening and Organizing Our Stories: Memoir/Creative Nonfiction and Autobiographical Fiction

For writers of memoir, creative nonfiction and fiction, with some experience. Particularly helpful to writers in the midst of a longer work.

Henri Rousseau Le centenaire de l'indépendance (1892)

Embodied Writing: Improve Your Writing with Full-Body Creativity

With rosemary tantra bensko.

Have a grand time with specific physical exercises that honor your health, generate imaginative ideas, explore deeply and make your creative writing entertaining.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

embodied writing interview | writing and the body

Embodied Writing: Somatic Practices to Improve Your Work

Finding the real story: essential elements of story in fiction and memoir.

Address the larger issues of writing story through a look at the essential elements of narrative in fiction and memoir.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Short Story

Food Writing: Food-Focused Memoir

With jennifer billock.

The food we eat and enjoy tells volumes about our lives and experiences. Write it all down in this food memoir course, with Jennifer Billock.

Pierre Auguste Renoir -Luncheon of the Boating Party - Wikipedia

From Pitch to Publication: Writing Narrative Journalism

Explore literary journalism as a powerful means to share fascinating characters, stories, and perspectives. Learn all you need to start pitching, landing, and writing reported essays and features.

Get Your Book Done Intensive! 4 Weeks to Measurable Progress

The summer is the best time to get the ball rolling on your book. Join us if you really want to get your book into the world.

Humor Is The New Black!

Ready to add a splash of fun to your writing life? Join us for a four-week humor writing class. We’ll read. We’ll laugh. We’ll write. We’ll experiment.

I’ve Drunk Your Poisoned Nectar: Writing with the Goddess

With shankar narayan.

Dig deep into the rich mythology of South Asian goddesses to find new inspiration for your work in this generative, open-genre writing class.

In Your Own Words: Transforming Life Into Memoir and Fiction

Learn how to draw inspiration and material from your life experiences or those of people you know, or want to know, to craft compelling, publishable memoirs, personal essays, autobiographical novels and short stories, and/or narrative poetry.

Make Your Prose Sing

With leslie lawrence.

Enrich your prose with techniques from poetry. Bring paper and pens; leave with a better ear and lots of ideas about how to make your prose sing.

No More Excuses! Four Weeks to Finish and Submit Your Personal Essay or Short Memoir

Join us for this insightful four-week “get the writing done” program, give and receive thoughtful comments from your fellow writers and the instructor, and enjoy heaps of encouragement and writing wisdom along the way.

writing class for accountability and inspiration

Observing What’s Vivid in Prose and Poetry

With marc olmsted.

Learn how to spotlight beauty through fresh, vivid, and surprising language, in this four week mindfulness writing course.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

observing what's vivid in prose and poetry

Overcome Writing Anxiety: Boost Your Storytelling Confidence in Four Short Weeks!

"Who are you to want to write?" Someone great, that's who! Politely ask Mr. or Ms. Fear to step aside while you sign up for this fun, freeing and functional adventure.

Rapid Story Development: A Master Plan for Building Stories That Work

In this 10 week story writing class, Jeff Lyons pairs the Enneagram with story development techniques to revolutionize your writing practice.

rapid story development enneagram writing course

Revision Strategies for Novels

With randy susan meyers.

You've finished your novel. Now what? Develop in-depth revision strategies for your book in this two-part workshop series.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel

Scene Study: Strengthen Your Writing with Compelling Scenes

With susan pohlman.

Great stories are constructed with great scenes. Immerse your reader in your stories by learning the ropes of scene development.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Short Story , Stage and Broadcast

Show and Tell: How to Write Captivating Memoir and Nonfiction

With brad wetzler.

Your true story of healing or transformation can captivate and empower your readers. Learn how to balance showing the vivid details of your own journey with telling the broader themes for readers to apply in their own lives.

Suspense Sells! Power Up Your Writing With Conflict, Tension and Emotion

Inject suspense into your stories to keep readers turning pages. For writers of all kinds of fiction: thrillers, mysteries, romance, humor, literary and memoir. A four week class with Giulietta Nardone.

Tales From The Memory Palace: 6 to 250 Word Memoirs

If you want to be an in demand storyteller in the digital age, you need to get in, get out and get going. In this "short" four-week memoir writing adventure, you'll learn to scope out, swoop down and snatch up important memories from your life then speed write them into miniature masterpieces.

Techwashed!: Writing with AI, Data, and Surveillance

Raise a mirror against society's relationship to technology in this two part workshop series where we will learn how to write about tech.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Novel , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

The Art of Storytelling

It’s an age-old art form—storytelling—and you can learn the craft.

The Chronology of Mind: From Journal to Poem or Prose

With barbara henning.

Gather material through writing and experimenting with journaling, researching and taking notes to develop into poems or prose works.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Memoir , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

The Soundtrack of Your Life: Writing About Music, Memories and Mix Tapes

In a song inspired class, write several essays about the music that has moved you through life: the emotions, the relationships, the events, the outcomes.

The Wandering Heart: Tales of Connection

Wander through the rooms of your own life to discover stories of deep connection, reconnection or loss of connection and fashion your findings into stories suitable for blog posts, essays, short memoirs, short plays, scenes in screenplays, or chapters of novels.

Creative Nonfiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir

Using Your Poetry Skills to Write Memoir

With freesia mckee.

How do poets tell their stories in prose? Take the leap from poetry to memoir in this hybrid writing workshop.

Creative Nonfiction , Live Workshop , Memoir , Poetry

Word Flashes & Eye Snapshots: Sketching Your Life Awake

For any writer wanting to root writing in vision and vision in the body: for poetry, fiction, essay, memoir & pleasure.

Write Your Memoir in 12 Weeks

With blaise allysen kearsley.

Writing can be a solitary experience, but writing a full memoir takes energy, momentum, and moral support. Find all three in this memoir writing intensive.

Creative Nonfiction , Memoir

Writing Autobiographical Fiction

Learn to depart from "what really happened," and write compelling fiction from your own life experiences.

Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health (Monday/Friday)

With susan vespoli.

Expressive writing can be a powerful elixir for what ails you. Learn and practice tools for writing expressively, including two virtual writing circles each week, turn raw writing into poetry or prose, and come away with a better understanding of how writing can lead toward wellness.

Creative Nonfiction , Fiction , Lifestyle and Wellness , Memoir , Personal Essay , Poetry , Short Story

Writing Circle Workshop: Writing for Happiness, Healing, and Health (Tuesday/Saturday)

Writing place in creative nonfiction.

In Creative Nonfiction, place is a character in itself. Deeply explore a narrative and a place of your choosing, and make weekly progress on your essay or memoir.

Unscheduled Online Memoir Writing Classes

Browse our full memoir offerings below. Let us know which memoir writing courses you're interested in, and we'll contact you with dates when we're ready to put them on our calendar.

Articles on Memoir Writing

Fiction vs. Nonfiction: What is the Difference Between Fiction and Nonfiction?

What is Purple Prose? The Case Against Overly Ornate Writing

Writing Styles: What is Style in Writing?

Character Development Definition: A Look at 40 Character Traits

Common Rhetorical Devices List: The Art of Argument

the setting of a story: functions of setting in literature

From Our Instructors What is the Setting of a Story? 5 Functions of Setting in Literature

Parallelism Definition: Writing With Parallel Structure

What is Point of View in Literature? Exploring Narrative Point of View

What is Mood in Literature? Creating Mood in Writing

show dont tell the golden rule of writing

“Show, Don’t Tell” in Creative Writing

Why take an online memoir writing course with writers.com.

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Memoir Writing Essentials Course
Online Course
Memoir Writing
The 30 Day Memoir Writing Course
Cancelled April/May & May-July 2020: Memoir Writing Classes With Janelle Hardy
Write Your Memoir Online Course

VIDEO

Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Writing Project Final Reading (2021 Online Cohort)
Good Example Personal Memoir
Memoir Analysis
Everywhere he goes, they ask ‘have you started writing your memoir yet?’
A Reading by Students in the Kathryn Watterson's Memoir Workshop
Can writing memoir change your life?

COMMENTS

Memoir I Course
Identify significant moments from your life · Structure your story into a book-length work · Establish habits and tools for effective writing · Read successful
Online memoir courses with author Marion Roach Smith
There is no need to go anywhere else. I teach what I call “writing with intent.” There are no writing prompts or silly exercises in my online memoir classes
Memoir Writing Classes, Level I
Memoir Writing I is a 10-week workshop, which includes lectures, exercises, and the critiquing of student projects. It's for beginners or anyone who wants
The Memoir Writing Club
Memoir Writing. Online Memoir Writing Course | Online Memoir Writing Masterclass. Memoir Writing Retreats. With Author and Memoir Coach Irene Graham.
14 Best Online Memoir Writing Courses
1. Write Your Memoir Course – UK Writers College · Set up a writing schedule · Find and develop your writing voice · Refine your writing style and
Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization
Applied Learning Project. Through 16 writing assignments across the four courses, and from reading the work of others, learners will
5 Best Memoir Writing Courses Online to Bring Your Memories to Life
What are the Best Memoir Writing Courses? · 1. Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization · 2. Memoir Writing: Write a Personal Story for a
Online Memoir Writing Courses
Online Memoir Writing Courses ; Discover Your Writing Niche. with Gloria Kempton ; Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose. with Giulietta Nardone ; Writing Our
Writing the Memoir 101
The goal of this course is to teach you how to structure your stories, develop your storytelling skills, and give you the tips, techniques, and knowledge to
Top Memoir Courses Online
Memoir students also learn · Journalism · Creative Writing · Fiction Writing · Poetry · Writing · Journaling · Scrivener · Lenormand Card Reading