Map Your Memoir:

Learn how to turn your experience into a story that sells 

You’re writing a memoir, but…

  • Sometimes, while writing, you stop and think, What the heck am I even writing? What am I trying to say?

  • You’re struggling to identify how exactly your personal experience will relate to others.

  • You've read books like Save the Cat and then reworked your entire storyline trying to fit all of the true events into fictional checkboxes and now you feel even more confused.

  • You’re a great writer; you love stringing words and sentences together and studying your craft, but you don’t know how to turn it into a cohesive narrative that flows.

  • You’re writing toward infinity. You don’t know where your story ends because life keeps going on.

  • You’ve heard your story needs things like an arc, conflict, desire and stakes, but you' aren’t sure how to apply them to your unique experience(s).

  • You’ve completed a messy first draft, but something about it just isn’t working.

  • You’ve completed your manuscript and tried to pitch literary agents but aren’t having any luck.

This course is for you.

“Map Your Memoir was exactly what I needed to make fast progress on my manuscript. My confidence and pride - in my query letter, synopsis, and overall arc and themes of my memoir - feel astronomically different. It feels like many years of work condensed into a short few months.”

~NATASHA BUFFO

The Exact System I Use with 1:1 Clients

When I begin working with a new book coaching client, I start with my Map Your Memoir process. Whether they’re coming to me with just an idea or a finished draft, this process helps them align the story they want to tell with the story they need to tell, and gives them clarity on exactly how to tell it.

This process does NOT ask you to create a detailed outline of all your plot points or to spend hours writing and rearranging sticky notes on a whiteboard. It won’t ask you to fit your lived experience into a specific formula.

Instead, it WILL help you understand the very core of what makes your story unique and how best to connect it to readers.

 

“The Map Your Memoir process really helped me to dig deep into the heart of my story, uncover my motivation for writing it, and reveal the gaps in my narrative, including ideas for best opening and closing scenes.”

~WILEY WEI-CHIUN HO

When you complete the Map Your Memoir course, you’ll walk away with:

  • Clarity on the most interesting parts of your experiences and how to turn them into a story others will want to read.

  • The confidence to finally answer the question, “So what’s your book about, anyway?” in a clear, concise way.

  • Clear direction for how to write forward (or revise) with purpose.

  • Renewed motivation and commitment to your goal of writing (and finishing) your memoir.

Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I’m Jessica! I’m a writer, certified book coach and developmental editor with a master’s degree in creative nonfiction and a lot of experience in the publishing industry.

I’ve used this memoir mapping process with dozens of authors, and I’ve used it for my own book. I know it works. I also know not everyone has the time, funds, or desire to work with a book coach, and I want to help as many writers as I can. That’s why I turned my process into a new, self-paced course for those who want a DIY approach.

Learn more about me

How it Works

In a combination of video and text lessons, you’ll learn the key elements your story needs to appeal to readers, and how to connect them all together to write a narrative that flows.

As you work through each lesson, you’ll be asked to apply it to your own memoir idea using the accompanying workbook.

In the end, you’ll analyze your answers to see where there are holes or inconsistencies in your narrative so you can revise until everything aligns.

Ready to turn your memories into a manuscript?

Standard Course Access

  • Start today!

  • Access to the course for 60 days

  • Feedback from Jessica*

  • 1:1 Zoom Call with Jessica*

  • For those who want a DIY approach and/or to binge the course info (I see you, I get you!)

$295

Premium Course Access

  • Start today!

  • Ongoing access to the course

  • Personalized feedback from Jessica*

  • 1:1 Zoom Call with Jessica*

  • For those who feel super stuck and want a collaborative approach to clarifying your story (I’ve got you.)

$695

*This course offers a series of prompts designed to help you zoom out and see your story in an abstract way. The clarity lies in seeing how all of your answers work together. I'll ask you to analyze your answers yourself at the end, but writers are often too close to their stories to see the holes and inconsistencies. My secret strength lies in helping you put all of the pieces together! With the Premium offer, I’ll personally review your memoir map and provide in-depth editorial feedback. After you’ve had a chance to review it, we’ll meet to discuss it to bring you even more clarity.

  • "I have clarity on how to move forward with my manuscript."

    ~KATHRYN VIGNESS

  • "I now have a clearer idea of what the purpose of my memoir is."

    ~BRITTANY JAMES

  • "Jessica is a master at this process."

    ~LESLIE B. SCOTT

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This is a self-paced course so you can work through the lessons at your own speed. Some writers breeze through it in a few days, others work slowly over several weeks.

  • Yes! If you opt for the premium offer, you’ll get personalized feedback on your memoir map and a 1:1 coaching session with Jessica.

    With both plans, you're invited to ask questions about the course inside the course platform and Jessica will answer them.

  • The standard offer gives you 60 days of course access. The premium offer comes with ongoing access so you can take all the time you need.

  • No. There are no refunds.