The Memoir Method Podcast

This episode is for the writer who is feeling that overwhelm: every time you think about your memoir your chest tightens, because you’re not nearly as far along as you think you should be. I’m talking to the writer who can’t let their memoir go but who also is feeling crushed under the weight of what you’ve written. Today I want to reframe overwhelm for you, so that you can see it as a tool instead of a block. Let’s get into it.

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This episode could be for two different types of writers: Maybe you’re actually a really good writer. You’re confident in your writing. You know how to turn a phrase. Or maybe you’re writing your memoir and worried about not being a good enough writer. (Most of my clients fall into one of these two camps.) So what I’m going into in today’s episode is going to ask you to examine your writing in a new way, because the truth is that just because something is well written doesn’t automatically make it interesting. Today’s episode is g...

This episode is for the writer who is overwhelmed at all the different steps of publishing and needs a guide, not just an editor. The story behind this episode comes from work I did in the earlier days of this business, and I learned a lesson that I’ve taken with me into how I support, work with, and interact with writers now. The way that I move as a memoir editor and writing coach now is a direct response to this mistake I made almost four years ago. Let’s dive in.

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This episode is for the writer who is overwhelmed whenever you look at the publishing pipeline. There are so many thresholds to cross, gates to enter, and milestones to reach that what you thought would be a marathon is more akin to a super marathon, or multiple marathons run back to back. “Published author” may feel far in the future, but I want to offer you a reframe in this episode that will revolutionize how you approach not just the publishing process but the entire drafting and editing process as well. Let’s get started.

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This episode is for the writer who is grappling with imposter syndrome. It happens to the best of us, and at least for me, that imposter syndrome led to a years-long creative famine where not only did I not write a single word, I also didn’t even consider myself a writer anymore. This episode gets a little personal, but I’m sharing the surprising key that pulled me out of that spiral and got me writing again. Let’s get started.

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This episode is for the writer who has been doom-scrolling more than they’ve been writing. The headlines this month have been sobering, maddening, and frustrating. I’ve found myself at a loss for how to enact real change in areas that matter to me, and what’s come through on my end is an even greater conviction in this work. Consider this episode your invitation and call to take your story seriously in a world that feels like it’s falling apart. Let’s talk about it.

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This episode is for the writer who wants to actually finish their memoir manuscript. This episode is also part of a four-part series that I’m running here on the podcast that I’m calling the 12-Month Memoir. Over the holidays I was thinking about you and what you might want heading into the new year, and what came through was a month-by-month plan for how to use your time, energy, and money as a memoir writer so that by the end of twelve months, you’ll have a finished memoir draft in hand, ready to move into publication. You ca...

This episode is for the writer who wants to actually finish their memoir manuscript. This episode is also part of a four-part series that I’m running here on the podcast that I’m calling the 12-Month Memoir. Over the holidays I was thinking about you and what you might want heading into the new year, and what came through was a month-by-month plan for how to use your time, energy, and money as a memoir writer so that by the end of twelve months, you’ll have a finished memoir draft in hand, ready to move into publication. You ca...

This episode is for the writer who wants to actually finish their memoir manuscript. This episode is also part of a four-part series that I’m running here on the podcast that I’m calling the 12-Month Memoir. Over the holidays I was thinking about you and what you might want heading into the new year, and what came through was a month-by-month plan for how to use your time, energy, and money as a memoir writer so that by the end of twelve months, you’ll have a finished memoir draft in hand, ready to move into publication. You ca...

This episode is for the writer who wants to actually finish their memoir manuscript. This episode is also part of a four-part series that I’m running here on the podcast that I’m calling the 12-Month Memoir. Over the holidays I was thinking about you and what you might want heading into the new year, and what came through was a month-by-month plan for how to use your time, energy, and money as a memoir writer so that by the end of twelve months, you’ll have a finished memoir draft in hand, ready to move into publication. Today...

This episode is for the writer who is looking back on the last year and feeling more discouraged than not when it comes to your memoir. Today I want to validate the frustrations you’re experiencing, highlight why what used to work for your writing doesn’t anymore, and show you how to reset your writing for the new year into a sustainable energy and structure. Let’s get into it.

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This episode is for the writer who wants to finish their memoir in 2026. You’ve already invested years and years into this work, and you just want to be finished with your draft. Heading into 2026, this is what I want for you: Yes, I want you to finish your memoir manuscript. I also want you to love it. The thing is that if writing your way worked, you’d have finished and published by now. So let’s talk about why this is and how to shift it going into 2026.

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This episode is for the writer who has thought about throwing in the towel, but something keeps stopping you from giving up. Maybe you think about publishing your memoir, but often you can’t even think that far ahead. What you are actually waiting for is a moment in the drafting process that I’m going to highlight today, and hopefully this small perspective shift can make your writing feel more do-able to you. Ultimately I want this episode to serve as a lighthouse to you when writing feels hard and frustrating. Let’s get into it.

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the self-published memoir, The Light that Shines Through: One Woman’s Journey of Healing and Stepping into Her Power by Shawna Thibodeau.

Purchase this month's, The Light that Shines Thr...

This episode is for the writers who know they’re really good writers. You know how to turn a phrase. You know how to tap into your voice and you have a style. You love the craft of writing, and you know that the quality of your writing is exemplary. I say this with so much love, friend: Just because you’re a good writer doesn’t mean that you’re going to write a good memoir. Today I’ll show you the missing piece in the creativity of memoir so that you can write a beautiful memoir that is also a...

This episode is for the writer who is actually really good at sitting down to write. Procrastination probably isn’t your kryptonite (at least when you’ve made writing a habit). I can bet that you’re disciplined and committed to the projects that matter to you. You wouldn’t have even considered writing your memoir if you didn’t have some chutzpah behind it! But, for reasons you can’t quite figure out, you’re still not finished. And it’s starting to drive you crazy. Let’s talk about it. (And stick around until the end of the episode, becau...

This episode is for the writer desperate to reconnect to her memoir. You’ve felt meh about your memoir for months, and you’ve realized that you hate feeling that way about your story. You hate feeling frustrated and discouraged about this manuscript that actually means so much to you. I walk my clients through very deep and vulnerable moments of doubt and discouragement, and without fail, when they reach a certain point, they skyrocket. Today I’m bringing you behind the curtain so that you can see when this happens and when it can happen for you too. Let’s...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir / true crime hybrid The Tragedy of True Crime, and today is part 2. 

Listen to 103: Why it Works (or Not) -- The Tragedy of True Crime, Part 1

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This episode is for the writer who keeps coming back to the same chapters to rewrite. I won’t ask you to tell me how many drafts you’ve worked through, but I’ll chance a guess that it’s more than three or four. I’ve seen this happen with brilliant writers, and it’s a spiral that will cannibalize your offer. You can get to a point where you’re OVER editing, OVER working your memoir, and you’ve lost the plot. Let’s talk about it.

Episode 99: Breaking the Rewrite Cycle

3...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir / true crime hybrid, The Tragedy of True Crime, and today is part 1. Let’s get started.

The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories Th...

This episode is for the writer who thinks that if they just found the right editor then they could make sense of their memoir. When creativity gets hard, it sometimes stops being fun, and when that happens, you start wondering if there isn’t an easier way to make this memoir happen. Spoiler alert, there isn’t a shortcut. You do have to do the hard part. But the way you walk through the hard part? That’s where we get to play and that’s what we’re diving into today. Let’s get into it.

Jo...

This episode is for the writer who has been burned by editors before. You’ve invested time, money, and trust into an editor, and you feel if not betrayed, at least disillusioned. Your memoir isn’t any closer to being finished and now your document is marked up with comments and changes that you don’t know what to do with. Today I want to dive into why that is and how to re-empower yourself as the author seeking support.

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"3 Reasons You Haven...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This episode is special for three reasons: First, we sit down to discuss this month's memoir, Renegade Agency with the author herself, Andrea Verbanic. Second reason, Andrea was my very first client and third this is my 100th episode! Let's...

This episode is for the writer who is embarrassed to tell me how many times you’ve rewritten your draft. You’re committed and resilient, but yet that’s not resulting in a manuscript that you’re proud of and want others to read. The big reframe we get to explore today is that rewriting is not the same as revising. This is a big one, so let’s get into it.

Free video 3 Hidden Reasons You Haven’t Finished Your Memoir

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This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic, and today is part 2.

Purchase Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic here

Link to free 30-minute call

This episode is for the writer who makes time to write and is committed to her memoir, but still isn’t making any progress. If willpower could finish and publish your memoir, my job as a writing coach and editor would look a lot different. In today’s episode, I’ll show you why willpower actually isn’t your problem and how this reframe can refresh your entire writing process. Let’s get into it.

Get the free "3 Hidden Reasons You Haven’t Finished Your Memoir" video here.

Schedule a free 30-mi...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic, and today is part 1.

Purchase Renegade Agency here.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2...

This episode is for the writer who sits down at her computer and realizes that she’s not having fun anymore. You may have started off feeling lit up, inspired, and creative, but now everything feels flat. You’re opening your document because you feel like you have to, not because you actually want to or feel that you’re making progress. But here’s the thing: You won’t ever finish if you’re writing to check a box. So today I want to help you tap back into what it would feel like to come at your memoir draft...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. In September I dived deep into Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones, and today we actually get to talk to Annie! Let’s welcome her to the show.

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This episode is for the writer who has looked into an editor and is intimidated by the average investment required to partner with a publishing professional. I know that there can be some sticker shock, especially if you’re new to publishing. I want you to come into this episode ready to orient yourself with where you are in your writing and ready to think critically about how you want to use an editor’s expertise. We can’t talk about publishing (and especially independent publishing) without talking about money, so let’s get started.

Enroll...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones, and today is part 2.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).

Ord...

This episode is for the writer who is intimidated by AI, especially as a creative writer. It can feel like ChatGPT is taking over everything, and the creative spaces are feeling the squeeze of technology. You wonder what AI actually means for creative spaces, for your writing, for your story. While I can’t cover every aspect of the AI conversation today, I do want to start a dialogue about how to navigate rapidly advancing technology with your own creative life. Let’s get into it.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phas...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones. Let’s get started.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).

Ordin...

This episode is for the writer who is ready to take a serious look at their work. Part of becoming a published author is the ability to get honest and serious about your own writing and drafts. Memoir can make this especially difficult, but I’m here to show you how and when to go into editing your own work. I know it’s intimidating, and it’s also a skill that you can learn! Let’s get started.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).

This episode is for the writer who is writing, has a big chunk of a manuscript even, but isn’t sure about when to enlist the help of an editor. I’ve worked with a lot of writers who have had negative or lackluster experiences with editors before, and my intention in this episode is to empower you to choose the right editor at the right time with the right manuscript. Let’s get started.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).

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This episode is for the writer who wants to make sure that the reader will be on her side and know what she’s thinking and what she’s experiencing. Writing yourself as a character can be tricky, because you can assume the reader either needs explanations that are actually too much information or that the reader can read your mind. Today we’re going to learn how to see yourself as a character and how to know when to trust your reader and when they need a little hand holding. Let’s get started.

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This episode is for the writer who is afraid that no one will buy their book. You want people to read, buy, and share your book, but you don’t actually believe that it will happen. Breaking into the publishing world feels so out of reach that you’re paralyzed with the prospect of building an author platform and that fear that no one will buy your book is loud. I’m here in this episode to disrupt that internal narrative you have playing right now, because the truth is that you have readers waiting for you. You just have t...

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Sociopath by Patric Gagne. You can find part 1 of this month’s breakdown back in episode 83.

Sociopath by Patric Gagne.

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This episode is for the writer who still calls themselves aspiring. I'm going to get a little salty in this episode because the truth is that that single word is cannibalizing your author career. Spoiler alert, if you think about yourself as an aspiring writer, it will take you a hell of a lot longer to publish your book than you want. Let's talk about it.

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Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 is available instant access!).

This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Sociopath by Patric Gagne

Sociopath by Patric Gagne.

Enroll in The Memoir Method today (phase 1 available instant access!).

You ca...