Map Your Memoir:

A step-by-step approach to find the heart of your memoir and the clarity to write forward.  

You’re writing a memoir, but…

  • When you tell others what your memoir is about, you ramble on and on, feeling like it’s not coming out right

  • You know you need to hook readers from the right starting point, but your opening is missing that spark.

  • You’ve got pages of backstory, and no idea how to weave it in without derailing the narrative.

  • Your memoir lacks interiority—it feels thin because readers can’t really feel your inner world.

  • You sense structural issues (arcs, stakes, conflict, themes), but can’t see the path forward.

  • You’re writing toward infinity. You don’t know where your story ends because life keeps going on.

  • You’ve written a whole draft and gone over and over it but…something just isn’t working.

This course is for you.

"I've only just started, but already your course has been more helpful and insightful than other courses have been in their entirety. The sound quality and the enormous nuggets of information have been better than many of the much more expensive and terribly disappointing options on the market.”

~SUNDAY DUTRO

The Memoir Map Can Help. Here’s How:

  1. You’ll simplify what your story is about

You’ve probably heard that memoir is about one thing, but it’s really about another thing. I like to call these things the external and internal stories. This course will help you identify both.

2. You’ll pinpoint your true beginning

Learn to find the right opening scene—the one that hooks, sets tone, and draws readers in. No more diluted or meandering starts.

3. You’ll develop depth through interiority

Go beyond events—share your inner landscape, reflections, revelations. This is what makes memoir compelling!

4. You’ll identify—then fill—the gaps

Use the workbook to map out where the story falters: missing arcs, flat climaxes, plot inconsistencies, etc. Then plug them with intention.

5. You’ll discover the best structure for your story

Structure is like the container for your story. You’ll figure out how to best organize and present your content for your target readers.

6. You’ll create a simple story outline

Don’t worry. This process does NOT ask you to create a detailed outline of all your plot points or to spend hours writing and rearranging sticky notes on a whiteboard. It will help you create a super simple outline that shapes your arc, creates narrative drive, and gives you a clear road map for how to write forward.

 

“The Map Your Memoir process really helped me to dig deep into the heart of my story, uncover my motivation for writing it, and reveal the gaps in my narrative, including ideas for best opening and closing scenes.”

~WILEY WEI-CHIUN HO

When you complete the Map Your Memoir course, you’ll walk away with:

  • Clarity on what your book is about (and what it’s really about)

  • A solid structure and story arc so you can finally know what to include and what to leave out

  • A simple scene outline that actually resonates with readers and offers a clear path for how to write forward

  • A complete toolkit for getting unstuck (course + workbook + optional coaching support)

  • Renewed motivation and commitment to your goal of writing (and publishing) your memoir.

Why it Works

This isn’t a generic writing course. It’s built from the same framework I use with 1:1 clients—designed to uncover areas where your story struggles and give you clear tools to repair them. This process helps you complete a memoir that doesn’t just get written, but gets read.

If you’re done with second-guessing whether your story resonates—or tired of continuing to hone craft but still feel stuck—Map Your Memoir is the next step. This is your opportunity to fix the mistakes in your draft (or future draft), and finally finish a memoir that matters.

Ready to turn your memories into a manuscript?

Standard Course Access

  • Start today!

  • Access to the course for 60 days

  • Personalized Feedback from Jessica*

  • 1:1 Zoom Call with Jessica*

  • For those who want to binge the information and DIY the memoir map (I see you, I get you!)

$295 USD

Premium Course Access

  • Start today!

  • Ongoing access to the course

  • Personalized feedback from Jessica*

  • 1:1 Zoom Call with Jessica*

  • For those who want a collaborative approach to clarifying your story (I’ve got you.)

$695 USD

*This training offers a series of prompts designed to help you zoom out and see your story in an abstract way. The clarity lies in seeing how all of your answers work together. I'll ask you to analyze your answers yourself at the end, but writers are often too close to their stories to see the holes and inconsistencies. My secret strength is helping you put all of the pieces together! With the Premium offer, I’ll personally review your Memoir Map and provide in-depth editorial feedback. After you’ve had a chance to review it, we’ll meet to discuss it to bring you even more clarity.

  • "I have clarity on how to move forward with my manuscript."

    ~KATHRYN VIGNESS

  • "I now have a clearer idea of what the purpose of my memoir is."

    ~BRITTANY JAMES

  • "Jessica is a master at this process."

    ~LESLIE B. SCOTT

  • “Map Your Memoir was exactly what I needed to make fast progress on my manuscript. It feels like many years of work condensed into a short few months.”

    ~NATASHA BUFFO

Meet Your Instructor

Hi, I’m Jessica! I’m a writer, certified book coach and developmental editor with a master’s degree in creative nonfiction and a lot of experience in the publishing industry.

This is the exact memoir mapping process I use with my 1:1 clients, and I’ve used it for my own book. I know it works. I also know not everyone has the time, funds, or desire to work with a book coach, and I want to help as many writers as I can. That’s why I turned my process into a self-paced video course for those who want a DIY approach.

Learn more about me

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This is a self-paced course so you can work through the lessons at your own speed. Some writers breeze through it in a few days, others work slowly over several weeks.

  • Yes! If you opt for the premium offer, you’ll get personalized feedback on your memoir map and a 1:1 coaching session with Jessica.

    With both plans, you're invited to ask questions about the course inside the course platform and Jessica will answer them.

  • The standard offer gives you 60 days of course access. The premium offer comes with ongoing access so you can take all the time you need.

  • No. There are no refunds.