If you don't understand structure, your memoir is going to suck

[@robbiegarnz7732]

I am writing a memoir about a five year time period in my life when I joined the Army and graduated Ranger School. But the story begins at the graduation in 1995 and is a flashback. I hope to publish it soon. Great advice about memoirs!

[@dubongros3108]

If you you want bad structure go read the book about the Beatles "the love you make" . The writers use the first 100 pages explaining how miserable the Beatles manager was . Problem is , we buy the book to hear about the band ! Upon seing where I had put my bookmark , a friend told me I put down the book at the point it was getting interesting . Also , tried to read " une jeunesse française" but I also put it down for bad structure ( I later heard from Simenon's biographer Pierre Assouline that I was not the only one for that matter )

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

Memoir and even biography are just so hard to structure because you have too much information! Thanks for the examples of bad structure. I will check them out.

[@jennytymms2141]

Hi Wendy, I purchased your video teaching series on structuring memoirs (your guide to global structure) after watching your 7 day free series and they have been so helpful. I am a published author in non-fiction (not memoir) and know how important structuring a book is: I spent a year working on structure beore I was able to really settle in and write the content. But I’m a novice when it comes to memoir and I’ve not been able to find the detailed kind of advice you offer anywhere else! What’s more - your ‘rules’ are really useful for hybrid genres too. So thankyou!

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

@@jennytymms2141 Thank you so much for your nice comments! I really do try to give writers the info that isn't available anywhere else, the information that I sought out when writing my first memoir. Getting nice comments like yours makes this feel so worthwhile. Wishing you tons of luck on your book!

[@suemitchell8495]

Wendy, do you produce your own videos? They are so charming. Loved the reggae dog.

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

Thank you so much, Sue! I do produce my own videos. It's just me and my laptop, some fun software and royalty-free music. :-)

[@ASLarson]

Thank you Wendy! Looking forward to the course!

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

Enjoy, Andrew! Thanks for the message. 🙂

[@yoytuyoga5942]

Ty so much for sharing your deep knowledge…sadly I didn’t start with an outline 😏now going back to my 300 pg manuscript and trying to figure out what my point is in ea scene and identify transitions….feeling discouraged but also a bit hopeful 🤓 also just bought your book, page turner!

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

Oh, the things I was up to in my 20s. Hope you enjoy the book! And that you get lots of great outlining done. Appreciate the nice comments.

[@dannicholas9267]

Very helpful...pls slow down

[@carlydaniels4184]

Hi Wendy, question, do you edit as well.

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

I teach memoir writing classes and some of that involves editing for my students. Because I focus a lot on writing concepts, I only edit for people who have taken my classes first. If you want to know more, go to www.geniusmemoirwriting.com

[@judymiles7186]

Have any of these KZbinrs ever published (not self-published) books of their own?

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

Yes, I am a Random House author.

[@yoytuyoga5942]

Wendy has, it’s a page turner , three rivers press

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

Three Rivers Press is part of Penguin Random House. Thanks for the plug!

[@MaliaDurbano]

@@memoirwritingforgeniuses What's the title of Wendy's memoir? I want to read it! Love her teaching style and depth of knowledge.

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

@@MaliaDurbano, Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals

[@memoirwritingforgeniuses]

To learn more about global structure or to take a free class: geniusmemoirwriting.podia.com/starting-your-memoir-your-guide-to-global-structure