Memoir Writing for Geniuses
Memoir Writing for Geniuses
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Where Do You Start Your Book?
Wendy conducts a one-on-one consultation with writer Bruna Batista, helping her to understand why she has started her book in the wrong place and how to fix it. The video includes tips of turning disconnected events from your life into plot and ideas for how all memoirs need to be structured.
For a free seven-part class on how to structure your memoir: www.geniusmemoirwriting.com/free-class.html
For information on coaching: www.memoirwritingforgeniuses.com/courseswithcoaching
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Відео

Is Your Narrator Looking Back or Recounting the Present?
Переглядів 7502 місяці тому
Who is actually telling the story in your memoir? Is it the person you are now looking back on your life? Or should you use the point of view of the person who actually lived through these events? In other words, is it the younger version of yourself telling the story? Sound complicated? It's not if you understand what function the narrator serves in your book. Want more info on memoir structur...
Your Scene Is Not Meant to Show Anything
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So many writers create a scene because there is something they want their reader to understand. They want to show what their relationship was like with their mother or how their father was abusive and cruel. The problem with this? It will get your structure off track. For a free, 7-part video class on how to structure your memoir: www.geniusmemoirwriting.com/free-class.html
Why Your Memoir Isn't Working and How to Fix It
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Writing down what you remember isn't a memoir. Instead, you need to understand scenes and transitions, the two main components you'll use to turn memories from your life into plot. Get these components wrong and your memoir won't work. If you'd like a free 7-part class on how to structure your memoir, go here: www.geniusmemoirwriting.com/free-class.html To get a manuscript critique, go here: ww...
Don't describe your life in your memoir
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It's fine to include description in your memoir, but too much description can mean sacrificing your plot. I was once guilty of this too! It's easy to fix this common memoir-writing problem. Watch the video to learn how. If you'd like a free class on how to structure your memoir from the ground up go to: www.geniusmemoirwriting.com/free-class.html
How to write a literary sex scene
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How to write a literary sex scene
Skip This Tiny Step and Your Memoir Won't Work
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Skip This Tiny Step and Your Memoir Won't Work
The problem with including family members' stories in your memoir
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The problem with including family members' stories in your memoir
What Show Don't Tell Really Means
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What Show Don't Tell Really Means
Five Common Writing Tips that are Complete Bull
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Five Common Writing Tips that are Complete Bull
If Your Book Is Boring, Slow It Down
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If Your Book Is Boring, Slow It Down
Five Things to Leave out of Your Dialogue
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Five Things to Leave out of Your Dialogue
Dialogue Is Not as Important as You Think
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Dialogue Is Not as Important as You Think
Is Your Memory Ruining Your Memoir?
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Is Your Memory Ruining Your Memoir?
Are You Writing from the Drone Point of View?
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Are You Writing from the Drone Point of View?
How to Describe Race Without Racism
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How to Describe Race Without Racism
A Flashback Is Not Something You Remember
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A Flashback Is Not Something You Remember
Don't Structure Your Memoir Like a Diary
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Don't Structure Your Memoir Like a Diary
How do I prevent writer's block?
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How do I prevent writer's block?
How Do I Write a Scene if I Don't Remember?
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How Do I Write a Scene if I Don't Remember?
Are you thinking about your scenes in the wrong way?
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Are you thinking about your scenes in the wrong way?
Is the "in-between writing" ruining the structure of your memoir?
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Is the "in-between writing" ruining the structure of your memoir?
Is using "I" self-centered?
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Is using "I" self-centered?
Subjective Versus Objective Writing: How Much Does Your Book Need of Each?
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Subjective Versus Objective Writing: How Much Does Your Book Need of Each?
Why do I live in Peru?
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Why do I live in Peru?
Two ways to make an everyday story interesting!
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Two ways to make an everyday story interesting!
How do I write a memoir?
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How do I write a memoir?
Two common prose mistakes writers need to avoid
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Two common prose mistakes writers need to avoid
Why write a memoir?
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Why write a memoir?
If you don't understand structure, your memoir is going to suck
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If you don't understand structure, your memoir is going to suck

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @dollyalexandratorres2031
    @dollyalexandratorres2031 4 дні тому

    Great!!!

  • @dollyalexandratorres2031
    @dollyalexandratorres2031 4 дні тому

    🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

  • @KKWpoems
    @KKWpoems 8 днів тому

    who is the company producing the reality show?

  • @newchannel30
    @newchannel30 9 днів тому

    I'm working through your amazing book "The memoir Engineering system" (I haven't been able to put it down and I have made so much progress in my writing) and I wonder whether to treat flashbacks as additional scenes? Thank you for your wonderful content 🙏

  • @shaneterrell
    @shaneterrell 11 днів тому

    I'm new to writing short stories and have been wrestling with the whole 'show, don't tell' mantra. Thank you for helping me see that there's no single 'right' way-it's about perspective and focus. It's like Romanticism vs. Modernism: different approaches to expression. This isn’t just a writing thing either; it’s played out in music too. Mozart’s music might be technical perfection, but for some, Tchaikovsky’s carries deeper emotional meaning. The next time someone tells me, 'show, don’t tell,' I’m going to reply, 'tell to show.'"

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses 11 днів тому

      What a great comment! Love the comparisons too, including Mozart vs. Tchaikovsky. What bothers me is that lots of people repeat the same advice over and over again without really understanding what it means. You might want to also check out 5 Writing Tips that are Bull: ua-cam.com/video/G83p6Y6UVUk/v-deo.html There is lots of terrible advice out there that will make your book worse, not better. Tread carefully. Wishing you tons of luck with your writing.

    • @shaneterrell
      @shaneterrell 11 днів тому

      @@memoirwritingforgeniuses Thanks! I'll check out 5 Writing Tips that are Bull. 😊

  • @lawofvisualization
    @lawofvisualization 13 днів тому

    Who else is here just because of the AWESOME title of this video?

  • @Replenishyourheart
    @Replenishyourheart 24 дні тому

    7:33 please do a trigger warning! It took me off guard

  • @ec9401
    @ec9401 25 днів тому

    The fact that you use examples makes you an invaluable and rare internet resource. Thank you so much! I am sticking around.

  • @htarceno
    @htarceno 25 днів тому

    thank you

  • @EveningTV
    @EveningTV 25 днів тому

    I wonder what y ou think of memoirs by Nick Flynn which do jump all over the place in time, but the chapters are separated by theme. I look at his structure and think it is an easy way to weed through all that I'm dealing with in my memoir, but how wrong I was! He is a poet, so perhaps that is the issue for me but writing the way he does is not easy at all, but I do really like it. 10,000 Aftershocks is done in a similar way and also books by Maggie Smith or In the Dream House by Carmen Machado.

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses 22 дні тому

      My answer is far too long for a youtube response. I talk about memoirs that jump around in time in my course, Starting Your Memoir: Your Guide to Global Structure. In fact, I use In the Dreamhouse as an example of a memoir that doesn't jump around in time. In the Dreamhouse has as traditional a structure as they come. Don't confuse structure with prose.

  • @suehacking7903
    @suehacking7903 26 днів тому

    Wow! What a wild, wonderful, amazing project! This will be so fun to follow! (and submit writing for...!) Brava, Wendy!

  • @BbGun-lw5vi
    @BbGun-lw5vi 28 днів тому

    Are you admitting fiction books or just memoirs?

  • @BbGun-lw5vi
    @BbGun-lw5vi 28 днів тому

    This is super cool! I wish I wasn’t so shy.

  • @HPSG2010
    @HPSG2010 Місяць тому

    Hey Wendy, I've watched most of your online tutorials - thank you for those. I think this new show will be great. I'm really looking forward to it!

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses Місяць тому

      Thanks so much! Doing this is so much fun. I cannot wait to see who wins. 😁

  • @EveningTV
    @EveningTV Місяць тому

    What a cool idea! What an amazing opportunity.

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses Місяць тому

      So excited about this! Time for memoir writers to get the spotlight they deserve.

  • @richarddale7567
    @richarddale7567 Місяць тому

    What a brilliant idea!!! The World's First Reality Show for Writers!!! Absolutely fantastic!!!!

  • @clairejacox7332
    @clairejacox7332 Місяць тому

    Wow - that is a big announcement Wendy! Amazing 🎉

  • @carriekelly3065
    @carriekelly3065 Місяць тому

    Wow that is big news. 😮

  • @paulmcshane6116
    @paulmcshane6116 Місяць тому

    Cool, clever, congrats 🎉

  • @philtreu4864
    @philtreu4864 Місяць тому

    That seems cool!

  • @christyallen3128
    @christyallen3128 Місяць тому

    Very exciting, great idea!

  • @kipbeegle8260
    @kipbeegle8260 Місяць тому

    That would be absolutely fun.

  • @nikkiwhite6691
    @nikkiwhite6691 Місяць тому

    This is AMAZING! What a great idea!

  • @frankruc7560
    @frankruc7560 Місяць тому

    Crikey Wendy woohoo 🎉❤🥳

  • @michellejlandy
    @michellejlandy Місяць тому

    Fantastic!!!!

  • @PaigeKayeBroker
    @PaigeKayeBroker Місяць тому

    What an original and inspiring idea! Go Wendy! Comenzaré mi proyecto de escritura hoy y también estudiaré español.😎

  • @dianapagejordan
    @dianapagejordan Місяць тому

  • @gr8booksmore929
    @gr8booksmore929 Місяць тому

    Helpful, yet might be a tight walk. Emotional words may be unexciting, yes, but emotional words in the form of strong verbs can also be effective at times. My thoughts.

  • @shantiariker9272
    @shantiariker9272 Місяць тому

    This is so helpful for anyone that is trying to write their memoir.

  • @pamellatayanademedeiroscar3362
    @pamellatayanademedeiroscar3362 Місяць тому

  • @clairejacox7332
    @clairejacox7332 Місяць тому

    What a great idea to share a consultation Wendy! Thank you so much for sharing Bruna :)

  • @גרשוןפרלמן
    @גרשוןפרלמן Місяць тому

    As usual, I wish I'd seen this video five years ago, when I thought I had to get the first chapters perfect in order that the following chapters would then be easier to write. - Glenn

  • @carolsullivan7776
    @carolsullivan7776 Місяць тому

    Hi, Wendy, This was a great session with someone seeking structure in a memoir. I love your concepts and simple explanations of how to write a wonderful book.

  • @suziflack4612
    @suziflack4612 Місяць тому

    I already love all your helpful videos Wendy. This new one on one format adds even more richness, thank you for sharing. All the best Bruna.

  • @camarareed4831
    @camarareed4831 Місяць тому

    I love the way you simplify the ideas to give greater clarity and create flow ❤

  • @tamargriggs4729
    @tamargriggs4729 Місяць тому

    I enjoy all your creative ideas for Memoir Writing for Geniuses, Wendy! This video is a great refresher after taking your course over a year ago. Thank you!

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses Місяць тому

      Sending you a huge hug Tamar! And lots of congratulations on the publication of your book.

  • @aviagemdosmogis
    @aviagemdosmogis Місяць тому

    Hi Wendy, thank you very much for the opportunity to discuss my book with you. It was a pleasure! ❤

  • @janefleming4116
    @janefleming4116 Місяць тому

    Thank you both for a hugely informative and useful video. It's always reassuring to know that you're not the only one making the mistakes. The reinforcement of messages delivered in other videos was also super-helpful Wendy. Thank you again both and good luck Bruna with your memoir.

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses Місяць тому

      I do see the same mistakes over and over again -- I used to make these very same mistakes! Glad you found the video helpful, Jane. Thanks for the comment.

    • @janefleming4116
      @janefleming4116 Місяць тому

      @@memoirwritingforgeniuses I'm furiously trying to address mine!

  • @timporter8886
    @timporter8886 Місяць тому

    Such an informative post Wendy. I think that you're right, many of us make similar mistakes, and this was so helpful. The lady was brave to allow herself to be put on the spot. You were so respectful and made a difficult situation (for her) into an informative and instructional advice for her, and the rest of us. I would like to see more of these posts, they are really interesting. Take care Wendy!😊

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses Місяць тому

      Thanks for letting me know! I have a list of other brave volunteers who have signed up so you will see more of these kinds of videos. Appreciate the feedback.

  • @gordon-hensley
    @gordon-hensley Місяць тому

    thank you! excellent insight into ‘how’ to do this correctly and in a manner enriching the story 👍

  • @KathyPickel
    @KathyPickel 2 місяці тому

    Great stuff Wendy, thank you!

  • @jimpollock441
    @jimpollock441 2 місяці тому

    It is a subtle but insightful teasing out of two different perspectives. Once you are aware of it, you can't not see it - thanks coach Wendy

  • @PennyCarothers
    @PennyCarothers 2 місяці тому

    Loved the way you made points about what works and what doesn't with narrators and then used examples from published books. Super helpful! Thanks for taking the time to share your insight.

  • @robertkulb6640
    @robertkulb6640 2 місяці тому

    My head canon is that Mandy Jenkins was kicked in the face by Thunder.

  • @carriekelly3065
    @carriekelly3065 2 місяці тому

    I love the way you explain things, so succinct, you keep it simple. Brilliant. ❤

  • @cycling2ourwedding
    @cycling2ourwedding 2 місяці тому

    Another fantastic video, Wendy👍👍👍! I love it how you always show lots of examples making whatever you say super clear. And yes, I can see how finding examples must take a lot of time but just know that they and you are truly appreciated! It's also reassuring to hear you say you can have both the younger and older narrators in the same book, in the same scene even as I've wondered about that. So - THANK YOU so much!

  • @גרשוןפרלמן
    @גרשוןפרלמן 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for your "older wiser" advice for struggling memoir writers. I'm tempted to write a memoir about how your advice has helped me take my writing from being all over the place to be focused and structured. - Glenn

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses 2 місяці тому

      Glenn, that's the nicest comment ever! Ha. Made me laugh. Glad the writing advice helps!

  • @suehacking7903
    @suehacking7903 2 місяці тому

    This was great, and you really nailed those examples. Thanks so much.

  • @AlchemyofMenopause
    @AlchemyofMenopause 2 місяці тому

    Really helpful - thank-you Wendy!!

  • @shantiariker9272
    @shantiariker9272 2 місяці тому

    Great video. Love the examples to show clearly what you mean and providing different samples is very helpful. I struggled with the adult narrator and how to throw it in - whether from time to time or as the narrator on its own. I like your showing the options.

    • @memoirwritingforgeniuses
      @memoirwritingforgeniuses 2 місяці тому

      Thanks, Shanti. Because the older, wiser narrator has been around literature for forever, it's hard to get it wrong or add it in the wrong place.