Memoir writing is a craft. It has structure, technique, and best practices. You don't need to figure it all out alone.
Your Story Matters
You have a story worth telling.
Maybe you've been thinking about writing your memoir for years. You have memories that matter. Experiences that shaped you. Lessons learned through living. Stories your family should know.
But the blank page feels overwhelming. Where do you start? Which memories belong? What if your writing isn't "good enough"?
This course gives you the roadmap, the tools, and the confidence to see it through — from finding your focus to completing your manuscript.
Why This Course
What makes this course different.
Compassionate Guidance
Writing your life story brings up feelings. This course acknowledges that and supports you through the emotional journey alongside the craft.
40+ Practical Exercises
Not just theory — real writing exercises that generate actual pages of your memoir. You'll have real material when you finish, not just notes.
Structure Without Rigidity
A clear framework that adapts to your unique story, timeline, and writing style. Your memoir, your way — with expert guidance.
Focused on Your Goals
Whether you're writing for yourself, your family, or publication — this course meets you where you are and takes you where you want to go.
01
Why Your Story Matters
Discover your purpose and overcome the voice that says "my life isn't interesting enough." Learn what makes memoir different from autobiography and identify the moments that truly shaped you.
You'll complete: The "Letter to Self" exercise, Five Defining Memories identification, your ideal reader profile.
02
Finding Your Focus
Stop trying to write your entire life story. Discover the central theme that connects your experiences and gives your memoir meaning and coherence.
You'll complete: Life map of turning points, theme exploration through guided freewriting, connection web, your one-paragraph story statement.
03
Your Voice, Your Truth
Find your authentic writing voice — the one that sounds like you, not like you're trying to impress a literary critic. Learn to balance truth-telling with the reality of imperfect memory.
You'll complete: Voice comparison exercises, speaking-to-writing translation, sensory scene development, the Honesty Exercise.
04
Turning Memories into Scenes
Master the craft of "show, don't tell." Transform vague memories into vivid, immersive scenes that make readers feel like they're experiencing the moment alongside you.
You'll complete: Memory-to-scene conversion, dialogue reconstruction, five-senses scene writing, your first complete turning point scene.
05
Shaping Your Story
Choose a structure that serves your story — it doesn't have to be chronological. Learn to create flow between scenes and build a satisfying narrative arc.
You'll complete: Structure experimentation, complete scene inventory, three possible opening scenes, your memoir's arc map.
06
Writing the Hard Parts
Develop strategies for approaching difficult or painful material safely. Learn how to honor your truth while protecting yourself and others.
You'll complete: Difficult terrain mapping, writing-around-the-edges technique, letters you won't send, your self-care plan.
07
Creating a Writing Rhythm
Build a sustainable writing practice that fits your real life — not an idealized version of it. Overcome common obstacles and build momentum that lasts.
You'll complete: Ideal writing day visualization, peak productivity identification, progress tracking system, weekly schedule.
08
From Pages to Purpose
Decide what's next for your memoir. Whether you're keeping it private, sharing with family, or pursuing publication, get clear on your path and next steps.
You'll complete: Goal clarification, vision for completion, three-step action plan, your author bio, acknowledgments list.
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Course Curriculum
8 modules. One complete memoir.
I'd been thinking about writing my mother's story for 15 years. This course finally gave me the tools and confidence to actually do it. The module on writing difficult material was especially helpful.
Sarah M.
Family Legacy Writer
The structure exercises changed everything for me. I was trying to force my story into chronological order and it felt flat. Once I understood I could organize thematically, the whole narrative came alive.
James T.
Memoir Writer
What I love most is how the course acknowledges the emotional side of memoir writing. It's not just craft instruction — it's support for the whole journey.
Linda K.
Personal Narrative Writer
What Students Say
Writers who took the step.
8 comprehensive modules
40+ writing exercises
All downloadable materials
Lifetime access
All future updates free
30-day money-back guarantee
Writers who took the step.
C$57
Best for self-motivated writers who want comprehensive guidance at affordable price.
Everything in the Complete Course
One 60-minute private coaching call
Structure brainstorming for your story
Personalized feedback on your work
Accountability and motivation
Email support for 2 weeks after call
Course + Coaching Call
C$197
Best for writers who want expert feedback plus the complete course content.
Everything in the Complete Course
Three 60-minute private coaching calls
Call 1: Story focus and structure planning
Call 2: Mid-point feedback and direction
Call 3: Completion strategy and next steps
Email support between calls (30-day access)
Priority scheduling
Course + 3 Coaching Calls
C$597
Best for writers who want ongoing support throughout the entire writing process.
What Students Say
Writers who took the step.
WHAT'S NEXT
What Happens After Module 8
This workbook will give you pages. Real, written, worked-on pages. And when you reach the end — when you're holding what you've written and wondering what to do with it next — Backhouse Press is right here. Whether you need an expert eye on your manuscript, deeper editorial support, or a roadmap to publication, we've worked with writers at exactly this stage hundreds of times. We know what your pages need. And we'd love to help you take them further. The workbook is the beginning of your journey with Backhouse — not the end.
CRAFT COURSES
Go deeper — $37 each
Self-paced · Instant access · Lifetime access
COURSE
$37
Bringing Characters to Life
A complete character development course for writers who want to create people their readers can't forget.
What's inside:
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Complete wound-to-voice character framework
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Writing the gap between want and need
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Building characters through behavior
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Writing real people in memoir
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10 discovery questions, 10 prompts, 3 exercises
-
The contradiction method
Who it's for:
Fiction writers whose characters do what the plot needs, not what they would actually do. Memoir writers wrestling with how to render real people.
COURSE
$37
Show, Don't Tell
A complete course for fiction and memoir writers who want to move from reporting experience to creating it.
What's inside:
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Real distinction between showing and telling
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The body as a showing tool
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Revealing character through action
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5 most common showing mistakes + fixes
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Showing in memoir
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10 prompts + full showing audit
Who it's for:
Fiction writers whose characters feel reported rather than inhabited. Memoir writers who know they're summarizing experiences that need to be fully rendered.
COURSE
$37
The Rhythm of the Page
A complete pacing course for fiction and memoir writers who want full control over how their story feels to read.
What's inside:
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Pacing at sentence, scene, and structural level
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Arrive late, leave early technique
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Tension-mapping your manuscript
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Emotional dimension of pacing
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Pacing in memoir — controlling time
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10 questions, 10 prompts + tension map
Who it's for:
Fiction writers whose beta readers say the middle drags or the ending felt rushed. Memoir writers who know they're moving too fast through the hard parts.
Each course has a free starter guide
Bringing Characters to Life → Characters That Breathe (free) | Show, Don't Tell → Write What They Feel (free) | The Rhythm of the Page → Find Your Rhythm (free) Free guides available on the Resources page.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Try the complete course risk-free. If within 30 days you feel this course isn't right for you, simply email us with your order number and we'll refund your investment. No questions asked, no hard feelings. We know this course works when you work it — this guarantee simply removes the risk so you can focus on your writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Payment Plans Available
For services over $1,000, we offer flexible payment plans — 3, 6, or 12 monthly installments depending on the package. Ask us about options when we connect.
Your story is waiting.
You've been carrying these memories for years. Maybe decades. They deserve to be told — and you deserve the support to tell them well. The course is here. The guidance is ready. The only question is: will you start today?