Momentum

an online memoir writing course

If you’ve thought about writing your life story, but you:

  • Don’t know where to start

  • Started, but got overwhelmed and gave up

  • Haven’t quite found the time yet

….then this course is for you.

Writing your life story is an absorbing and often exhilarating creative act, a journey of self-discovery, emotional healing and acceptance. A memoir or autobiography can also be a wonderful gift for children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces and nephews - and everyone else who knows and loves you. It will become a family heirloom, treasured for generations to come.

HOW IT WORKS

This six-week course for beginners is a gentle introduction to the process of writing your life story. You’ll learn how to gather and organise your memories, then bring them vividly to life on the page. You’ll be inspired, encouraged and supported as you take the first steps on your writing journey.

Each week, you’ll receive video lessons covering an aspect of the creative process (see course outline below for a full breakdown). These lessons include meditations, exercises and practical advice to help you overcome common fears about writing, unlock memories and learn how to craft a compelling story that captures the world through your eyes.

All the lessons are pre-recorded, so you can watch them at your own pace.

Personalised feedback to keep you motivated
Each week you’ll be set a writing assignment covering some of life’s major themes, such as family, careers and home. Each assignment will include a variety of thought-provoking questions, designed to help you explore the week’s theme in the context of your own life.

You’ll be invited to share your writing (up to 800 words) in the community forum each week and receive kind and constructive feedback from me and your fellow students. This is entirely optional but warmly encouraged.

Live weekly sessions to help you gain momentum
There will be a live writing session on Wednesday mornings (10am-11am) and an office hour on Thursday evenings (7.30pm-8.30pm). Both sessions will be on Zoom.

The office hour is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss any challenges you’ve experienced with your writing, and get to know your fellow writers. These sessions are recorded. If you cannot attend, you are welcome to submit questions in advance and I will answer them during the office hour.

The writing sessions are designed to help you set aside dedicated time to write and find your writing flow. Working silently in a group is a very powerful tool for focus. It creates a small dose of positive social pressure that anchors our attention and counters the urge to indulge in distracting diversions. For me, that’s making cups of tea, tidying my desk and rearranging my bookshelves - all worthy activities, but not when I’m supposed to be focusing on important work!

We begin each writing session by setting our intention for the session - a quick summary of what we’ll be working on. Then we get writing. We keep microphones muted, but cameras on (if you feel comfortable doing so). At the end, we’ll have a quick chat about how we got on.

KEY DATES

The first lesson will be available from Saturday 7 September, with each new lesson released on the following Saturday.

The writing sessions will be held on Wednesday 11, 8 & 25 September and 2, 9 & 6 October. The office hours are on Thursday 12, 19 & 26 September and 3, 10 & 7 October.

WHAT WE’LL COVER

Getting Started

  • Identifying your audience

  • Taming your inner critic

  • Becoming a productive writer

Our writing theme will be ‘Transitions’.

The Art of Reminiscence

  • How to remember

  • Writing about difficult topics

  • Researching the past

Our writing theme will be ‘Family’.

Thinking about Structure

  • Exploring different ways to structure your story

  • The difference between memoir and autobiography

  • Organising your writing

    Our writing theme will be ‘Your Life’s Work or Career’.

Writing about People

  • Figuring out your role as protagonist and narrator

  • Bringing people to life on the page

  • Capturing voice

Our writing theme will be ‘Early Memories’.

Writing Scenes

  • Showing vs telling

  • Using dialogue

  • Evoking a sense of place

Our writing theme will be ‘World Events’.

Redrafting

  • Spotting common writing mistakes

  • Giving your words power

  • Pruning for clarity and impact

Our writing theme will be ‘Home’.

Your Tutor

I’m Rachel Wareing, the founder of Attic Life Stories, a creative consultancy helping individuals, families, and organisations preserve their heritage for future generations.

Gathering and writing true stories has been the golden thread running through my twenty-year career. I’ve worked as a newspaper journalist, copywriter and marketing consultant, helping thousands of people communicate their knowledge, experience and ideas to a wider audience.

I’m a trained Guided Autobiography instructor and a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading, the Oral History Society and the International Center for Life Story Innovations and Practice. A keen family historian, I am currently studying for the Higher Certificate in Genealogy with The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies.

I’m based in Cambridge, UK, but work with clients worldwide.

Join the Course

Book your place on the course before September 1 to secure the early bird price of £120.

You’ll receive joining instructions and access to the first module on Saturday September 7.