Do you have an interesting life story you’d like to share? Would you like to write an entertaining account of your life as a family heirloom? With more publishing options than ever before, writing your life story could be the most rewarding project you have ever undertaken.

Even with no previous writing experience, this practical course with Amanda Hampson will show you how to write your story and start you on the path.

Memoir Made Simple is a unique technique that will teach you everything you need to know to turn your story into a great read.

You’ll discover how to get your material organised, how to turn memories and anecdotes into engaging stories with dialogue and description, how to revise your work and find your voice. And have fun doing it!

Week-by-Week Course Breakdown

Week 1:

Clarifying individual objectives and challenges. Get organised: how to create the ultimate filing system. Tap into creativity with mind maps and timelines. Create a structure for your project. How to incorporate family history. Work out the why, when and where.

Week 2:

Set the scene with evocative description. How to bring scenes from the past to life. Exercises in writing scenes with people, places and seasons.

Week 3:

Bring a memento to this class and write a story around it. Learn how to use dialogue to bring stories to life. How to convert a ‘tell’ scene to ‘show’ with dialogue. Exercise with ‘lucky dip’ writing topics.

Week 4:

Tying description, dialogue and narrative together. Weaving personal values into your story. Exercises in writing about relationships and emotions.

Week 5:

Assessing your project and planning ahead. Exercises in writing scenes from different periods of life. Week Six: Rewriting and revision – how and when to self-edit. Options for self-publishing and traditional publishers. Goal setting for memoir completion. Every session will include writing exercises, time for questions and interaction.

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Expected Learning Outcomes

Participants will learn how to:

1. Plan and organise material, and how to create structure for your book;
2. Turn fragments into a cohesive story using setting, description and dialogue; and
3. How to revise and edit your work, and explore options for self-publishing.

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Participant Requirements

Bring a pen and plenty of paper. Please note that Reckoning by Magda Szubanski will be referred to during the course.

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You can listen to Amanda Hampson speak about her most recent book Sixty Summers, her writing process, the freedoms that come with ageing and the power of female friendship, on the Better Reading Podcast with Cheryl Akle.

Listen below or click here to be redirected to Better Reading’s website.