Memoir Writing | New York City | Creative Writing Classes in NYC and Online with Professional Writing Instructors

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"The instructor gave a complete and thorough class that hit upon the entire process of memoir writing. With almost every point she had an example that clearly illustrated the topic. The writing exercises were perfect and helped communicate the points even more."

- Britta Larsen
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"The day was a wonderful introduction to writing a memoir with topics covered thoroughly and interspersed with excellent exercises."

- Pamela Markham
Visual Artist

"This is by far the best writing course that I have ever taken."

- Linda Gask
Doctor

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Everyone has a story to tell. Whether a life is unconventional or relatively normal, there’s bound to be something fascinating about it. That’s why the contemporary memoir – everyday people telling their tales – has become such a popular phenomenon. Memoirs appear throughout magazines and bookstores and a lucky few, such as Angela’s Ashes and The Liar’s Club, even make the bestseller list.

To make readers care, your memoir must be told with the finesse of fiction. In our courses, you will learn how to focus your life stories, give them literary purpose, and apply such craft elements as character, plot, description, dialogue, setting, pacing, and theme. You will also learn how and where to market your work.

Whether you seek to write essay-length pieces or a book, we’ll show you how to best tell the stories from your life.

Select a class: Level I, Advanced, One-Day
See also: Memoir Writing Online

Level I
Memoir Writing | 10-week Workshop

Using a balance of lecture, exercise, and feedback on work from the instructor and classmates, this course gives students a firm grounding in all the basics of memoir writing. Everything is presented in a clear, accessible manner.

Write one or two short memoirs or begin a book
Lectures on basics of memoir craft
Writing exercises
Present work for critique (two times)

Memoir I is for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals.

View a course syllabus.

(3.0 CEU)

New York City Classes

Tuition: $395, Returning Students $365 . Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 14 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Oct 2	Saturdays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM	No Class: Nov 27
Oct 4	Mondays	1450 Broadway	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Oct 11
Oct 5	Tuesdays	273 Bowery	6:45PM - 9:45PM
Oct 7	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	10:00AM - 1:00PM	No Class: Nov 25

= Daytime Class

Advanced
Memoir Writing | 10-week Workshop

Focusing on developing projects and receiving feedback from the instructor and classmates, this course helps students sharpen their skills and work toward completion of publishable work. Writers often repeat Memoir II to continue their projects.

Write or refine one/two short memoirs or begin or work toward completion of a book
Lectures that expand on basics of memoir craft
Writing exercises
Present work for in-depth critique (two times)

Prerequisite: Memoir Writing I or the equivalent.

Which level is right for you? How to Choose a Level

(3.0 CEU)

New York City Classes

Tuition: $395, Returning Students $365 . Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 14 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Oct 4	Mondays	272 W. 10 St.	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Oct 11
Oct 5	Tuesdays	272 W. 10 St.	7:00PM - 10:00PM	No Class: Nov 23	CLASS FULL Call for waitlist
Oct 7	Thursdays	555 8th Ave.	2:00PM - 5:00PM	No Class: Nov 25

= Daytime Class

Memoir Writing | One-Day in NYC

The One-Day Intensives are fun, fast-paced immersions in a type of writing. You’ll get a mixture of brief lectures that hit the high-points and writing exercises that let you immediately try your hand at what you’ve just learned. The one-days provide an excellent overview of their fields, ideal for both the beginner and someone wanting a quick refresher course. Come in to class with a notepad, pen, and desire to learn. By the end of the day, you’ll be a more knowledgeable and skilled writer.

One-Days are for beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals.

Topics include: the contemporary memoir defined, character, plot, description, getting published

New York City Classes

Tuition: $125. Registration Fee $25.

Each class strictly limited to 25 students, ages 18 and up.

Starts	Meeting Day	Location	Time	Special	Enroll
Sep 11	Saturday	Hunter College	11:00AM - 6:00PM
Nov 13	Saturday	30 W. 16 St.	11:00AM - 6:00PM