Map Your Memoir

A Five-Week Intensive

Turn lived experience into a story of desire, conflict, and transformation.

You’ve lived through something that shaped you. You feel the pull to write it. The challenge is structure. A memoir is not a collection of memories. It is the story of something you wanted, what stood in your way, and how you were changed.

I’ve spent decades writing and editing narrative nonfiction — as a travel journalist, a senior editor at Outside, and as the author of the memoir Into the Soul of the World: My Journey to Healing. Over time, I’ve seen that powerful memoir follows a clear arc: desire, struggle, transformation. When that arc is present, the story moves. When it isn’t, even strong writing drifts.

In this five-week intensive, I will help you map that arc in your own life.

Enrollment Options

Cohort Experience — $897

For writers who want structure and accountability.

Private Intensive — $1,597

Everything in the Cohort Experience, plus:

This option is for writers who want close attention and accelerated clarity.

Dates & Time

April 15 – May 13
Five consecutive Wednesdays

Wednesdays, 6:00–7:30 pm Mountain Time (MT)

5:00–6:30 pm Pacific
7:00–8:30 pm Central
8:00–9:30 pm Eastern

*All sessions are live and will be recorded for participants.

How the Course Works

We meet once a week for five weeks. Each session is 90 minutes and structured as a working lab — focused teaching, guided writing, and clear application.

Each week builds toward a concrete result:

Week 1 — The Core Desire

Identify the central longing driving your story.

Week 2 — The Central Struggle

Clarify the conflict — external and internal — that gives your memoir energy.

Week 3 — The Transformation

Define the shift that makes your story meaningful.

Week 4 — Turning Points & Structure

Map the key moments that move the narrative forward.

Week 5 — Building the Blueprint

Shape the full arc and outline your drafting path.

This is not passive instruction. You will write. You will make structural decisions. You will leave with a clear narrative map strong enough to support a manuscript.

What You’ll Leave With

You won’t just feel motivated. You’ll know how your book is built.

Who This Is For

Writers who know there is a real story in their life.
Healers, therapists, leaders, seekers.
Anyone who has walked through meaningful change and wants to write about it with depth and craft.

You do not need a finished manuscript.
You do need the willingness to look honestly at your desire and struggle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a finished manuscript to join?

No. This course is designed for writers at the idea or early draft stage. We focus on structure, not polishing prose.

What if I have several possible stories?

That’s common. During the first week, we’ll clarify which desire and struggle create the strongest narrative spine so you can move forward with focus.

Will I receive feedback on my writing?

Yes. In the cohort, you’ll receive guided feedback on your memoir map and structure. In the Private Intensive, you’ll receive direct, personalized structural feedback during your one-on-one sessions.

Is this a workshop where we critique pages?

No. This is a structural intensive. We focus on mapping the architecture of your memoir so your drafting has direction and force.

What if I miss a session?

Sessions will be recorded and shared with participants. Live attendance is encouraged.

Is this right for me if my story is still emotionally tender?

Memoir requires honesty. You don’t need complete closure, but you do need enough stability to examine your experience clearly. If you’re unsure, reach out and we can talk.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re ready to stop circling your material and start building your book, this is where we begin.

* Enrollment is limited to keep the group focused and engaged.