Welcome to the Write your Memoir Course at NZ Writers' College.
This course is for anyone who dreams of writing a memoir, but doesn't know how to go about it. The course offers expert, one-on-one training, line by line, from a professional writer, and provides a foundation in the craft of memoir. Learn how to set up a writing schedule, plan your memoir and start the process of putting your life story into words.
Course Details:
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Course fee: $995.00 GST inclusive
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Modules: 7 Modules
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Duration: Course can be completed at own pace: up to twelve months
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Start date: At any time; applications all year round via our website
Student must complete:
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Several writing assignments
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A preliminary start to a memoir of at least 10 000 words; the Advanced Course will take students from 10 000 to 60 000 words.
Admission Requirements:
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Basic writing skills are essential
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Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required
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No previous tertiary qualification required
Tutor for this course : Lisa Lazarus
Course Curriculum
Module 1 - an introduction to memoir
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What is memoir?
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Why do people write memoirs?
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How to overcome some common fears about writing memoir
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What you can expect from this course?
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Exercise: Construct a schedule, your expectations for the course, and warm-up writing exercises.
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Module 2 - the basics
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Different types of memoir
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Understanding theme and point of view
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Finding your voice
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Reading memoirs
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Exercise: Your memoir proposal, and discuss voice, theme and point of view in a memoir of your choice.
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Module 3 - characterisation
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The narrator versus the protagonist
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Getting to know your protagonist
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The central character - you
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Memory triggers
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Other characters
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Assembling a cast of vivid, believable major and minor characters
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Exercise: Using memory triggers and a brief scene in which two of your characters interact.
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Text instalment: 700 words
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Module 4 - plot
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Plot versus story
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The key elements of plot
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Classic and alternative plot structures
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Sub-plots
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Exercise: The plot outline of your memoir.
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Text instalment: 1 500 words
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Module 5 - setting
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The environment: details = atmosphere
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Setting as character
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Compiling research: library, internet, speaking to people, private records and travel
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Text instalment: 2 000 words
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Module 6- putting scenes together
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Scenes, chapters and paragraphs
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Transitions, beginnings and endings
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Exercise: Practise writing transitions
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Text instalment: 2 000 words
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Module 7- writing style
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The elements of style
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Whether good style can be learnt
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Show, don't tell
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Avoiding purple prose
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Rhythmic writing
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Things that are flat-out wrong (most of the time)
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Exercise: Examine your own writing style.
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Text instalment: 2 500 words
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Final text instalment: 10 000 words
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How does the course work?
Students will receive a 100-page course manual consisting of 7 modules, either in MS Word or PDF, depending on the student's preference. These modules will be e-mailed to the student as he or she progresses through the course.
Each module will contain:
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Relevant theory pertaining to the field
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Practical and writing tips
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Practical assignments that build towards the word count of the manuscript
Once the writing assignment has been completed, and e-mailed to the tutor, an assessment and feedback will be sent to the student, and the module will be considered complete.
Students can also participate in ongoing online discussions by posting comments about the materials covered in the course, as well as give feedback to students who have posted their pieces in the Discussion Forum.
Conditions of Certification:
Students will receive an NZ Writers' College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided they meet the following conditions:
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Students must have completed all assignments
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The course must have been completed within twelve months of registration.
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Students are expected to attain a minimum average of 50% for the course
Minimum Estimated Time Commitment:
This is hard to predict, as some people are simply faster writers than others. However, for each 1000 words of your memoir, you could calculate on spending about an hour writing and at least the same amount of time in revising. The exercises should each not take more than two hours to complete. And finally, you should expect to spend some time at the end of the course, giving your manuscript a final polish. This gives a rough estimate of 45 hours over the course of 7 modules, or round about 7-8 hours a month.
