July 2026

From Memory to Meaning: Finding the Heart, Voice, and Shape of Your Memoir

<p>You know you have a story to tell—an experience, memory, or season that itches to be put to the page. Friends say, “You’ve got to write a book.” Yet memories are complicated, nonlinear, and incomplete. How do you form them into a cohesive narrative? Where should that narrative start and end? What goes in the middle—especially when some of the material is still tender? And how do you know it’ll resonate with anyone else?</p><p>This session covers the foundations of writing a memoir. Attendees will explore the questions that move their writing beyond personal catharsis and into a transformational experience for the reader. Guided by a professional editor and author, you’ll begin clarifying what story to tell, who to tell it to, and how to tell it in a way only you can.</p><p>This webinar is a great fit for those preparing to write, actively drafting, or revising.</p><p>In conjunction with the class, you’ll receive a Memoir Foundations worksheet designed to help you apply the session’s concepts to your own project.</p><p dir="ltr" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">One-on-one Consultations ($85 each)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">For more guidance on the particularities of your project, Abby will offer a limited number of 30-minute consultations in conjunction with the webinar. Your focused session can be used for any of the following:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 15px; list-style-type: disc; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Reviewing your memoir foundations worksheet</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 15px; list-style-type: disc; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Discussing elements like your subgenre, hook, structure, audience, voice, or level </span>of self-disclosure</p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 15px; list-style-type: disc; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Determining next steps for your work in progress</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 15px; list-style-type: disc; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Exploring which publishing option(s) best fit your goals</span></p><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">No materials need to be sent prior to the consultation. After the meeting, Abby will send a recap of discussion notes, recommendations for next steps, and further resources.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="margin: 0pt 0px; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span>Individual consultations will be scheduled and completed via Zoom within one month of the initial webinar (by August 7). <a href="https://buy.stripe.com/00weV6g6Y4tJ8Bh8n9gQE0v" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://buy.stripe.com/00weV6g6Y4tJ8Bh8n9gQE0v&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1783623786873000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2EDMUPYTOX5Q0b9SZlkVXF">Sign up here.</a></p>