How far have you gotten in your memoir–you’ve just begun but are not sure how to proceed? Are you stuck in the Muddy Middle? You know what you want to

write about, but are tangled up about your theme and structure?

As the author of two memoirs–Don’t Call Me Mother-A Daughter’s Journey from Abandonment to Forgiveness and Song of the Plains–A Memoir of Family, Secrets, and Silence I know what it’s like to wrestle with the past, and family, and finding the truth.

In my how-to book Power of Memoir–How to Write Your Healing Story, I talk about my journey to find my story, and offer lessons and tips on how to write about trauma, finding the positive stories, and creating a structure for your book, along with other book building ideas.

When you first start writing sorting out your memories, finding your story, and learning the “how-to” of writing powerful scenes to weave in your audience

When working on a memoir, doubts and important concerns that all memoir writers must deal with arise.

• What will the family say about me writing a memoir?
• There are so many memories–how much do I include?
• What is the structure of my memoir?
• Will anyone else be interested in my story?
• Are there any rules and guidelines for memoir?

These questions need answers for you to proceed in writing your memoir and I can help! To stay focused and learn new skills, you need:

• Help in deciding the focus and sub-genre of your memoir–is it travel, survival, healing, or a spiritual memoir?
• To get clear on what  your story is about—the themes and topics that comprise the arc of your story.
• Feedback to develop your skills—story structure, scenes, dialogue, character development, tone, and voice.
• Help with navigating the writing world, from writing and editing to publishing and marketing.

Most of my coaching clients are memoirists, but I also work with non-fiction and self-help. I have published both memoir and nonfiction how-to books, and I know what it takes to go from idea to published book.

Whether you have the seed of your story or are ready for feedback on your work, I can help you develop your writing and learn the skills that can help you get your book published.

What is Coaching for Writers?
The best way to learn to write is through apprenticeship. A mentor/coach guides you learn new skills, and offers accountability and professional level feedback. When we agree to get started, we set up one-hour sessions that include a 1/2 hour of my reading time and schedule 1/2 hour  phone calls where we discuss your work, your challenges, and your manuscript–both the reading and the call are a “session.” Chapter by chapter, you will get your book done as you weave your themes, develop your craft skills, and have accountability to keep submitting your work.  We all produce more when we know someone is waiting for our work, and when we have made a commitment to our mentor to produce a chapter!

As your writing coach, I will:

• Teach the craft elements you need to know to write a good story
• Offer deadlines and accountability to get your work done
• Walk you through the three stages of memoir writing: Kickstarting Your Memoir, The Muddy Middle, and Birthing Your Book Into the World (learn more about that here!)
• Give you detailed feedback on each piece–what is working well and what you need to develop further
• Assist you with the editing and publishing process
• Send you articles, links, and resources to help you develop your skills

How Does Coaching Work?
A coaching session is divided between a half-hour of reading/editing and a half-hour of one-on-one discussion of your work by phone. Sometimes people want me to read more than 1/2 hour worth of material, so the session time will be balanced accordingly.

Before each session, you write your chapter or make your notes on your outline or theme development and email that week’s submission along with the questions about your work that you want me to focus on–whether it’s character development, voice, narration, or dialogue, for instance. I focus on your questions and offer other suggestions that will help you make important craft decisions as you continue writing.

During our phone appointment, we discuss things like story  structure, your audience, and what readers will learn from your story. Sometimes memoirists need emotional support to get through writing about painful times. Drawing upon my thirty years of experience as a therapist, I can help you write through these challenges as they arise so you can make forward progress.

Where Are You in Your Writing Life?

• Do you have ideas, story seeds, and memories that have meaning for you—but you aren’t sure what to do with them?
• Do you wonder whether you should write your family stories in memoir or fiction?
• Are you in the middle of a writing project, but can’t seem to finish it?
• Have you always wanted to write a book, but aren’t sure how?

Wherever you are in your writing journey, I can help you figure out how to tell your story and connect with your readers. Your story is unique, and I know how much courage and skill development it takes to get it done. I look forward to learning more about you and your story and helping you meet your goals.

During the coaching process, we examine questions like these:

• How do I get started?
• Should I make an outline, or just start writing my memoir?
• Will the book make sense to the outside reader?
• Is it ready for an agent or publisher to read?
• Was I too  judgmental about characters in my memoir?
• What about plot?
• Will the reader think I’m feeling sorry for myself when I write about the dark stories?
• Can I change names in memoir and not call it fiction?
• What about changing places, descriptions, and identifying information—is it still a memoir?
• Can I write well enough to get published?

Interested in Coaching with Linda Joy?
Linda Joy is currently finishing her book! She will be back for coaching later this year.  If you can’t wait and would like a coaching referral, please drop us a line at customersupport@namw.org.  We will do our best to help.  

Just Need to Purchase Coaching? 
If you are already one of Linda Joy’s coaching students and just want to purchase more coaching sessions, please visit this page. If you have not had a coaching session with Linda Joy yet, it is important that you fill out her coaching interest form and speak to her personally before making a coaching purchase.

Memoir Coaching Packages