From Draft to Craft

Most writers begin drafting memoir the same way.

They feel called to share their story, and so they piece together the memories, moments, and milestones that have brought them to where they are today. They weave these anecdotes into a draft that feels close to right, but not quite there.

This is usually the moment when new questions surface. What’s missing? How can I make this more impactful? What is this story really about?

This is where my work begins.

At this stage, I help writers step back from the material and look at their story as a whole. We work to identify the underlying theme of the memoir and shape the story in service to that theme. We lean on narrative structure to help the draft land with clarity, impact, and momentum.

Inside a session

When we work together, I read your pages in advance and come to the first session prepared to help you see what’s working well, what may need strengthening, and what questions a reader is likely to have. We spend time clarifying your intentions for the book, what you want the reader to understand about you, and how you want the story to feel when they reach the end.

That first session is often orienting. Writers leave with a clearer sense of their material and a better understanding of how to move forward.

As the draft develops, we typically meet again to assess where the story stands and what wants attention next. For many projects, it takes two to four sessions to refine the narrative, clarify the theme, and deepen elements like character arc and tension.

Before each session, I read new pages. During our time together, we focus on shaping a purposeful narrative arc and bringing greater clarity and cohesion to the story as a whole.

Work With Me

If you’re writing memoir and feel stuck or unsure of how to shape what you have, reach out to begin a conversation.

We’ll talk through where you are with your project and whether working together makes sense.

Sessions are $150 per hour.