Most of you know that I write books and short-form stories. But did you know that I also lead memoir workshops and coach memoir writers?
After publishing 3 successful memoirs, I began teaching and coaching others. My church group, below, was the first to ask me to run a course. (Actually, they bugged me till I agreed!)
I teach individuals and groups to write an engaging story, first of all. Then to write a book about their own lives. Below are just a few of my students’ books.
Along the way, I made a surprising discovery: anyone can learn to write – and to write their memoir – well. If they have the interest and commitment, I can help them do it.
~~
Strangely enough, I had not written anything for years after a car accident. I struggled to think, write and even speak clearly.
One day, my husband searched for and found dozens of short memoirs I’d written over 25 years before the accident. I’d packed them away and forgotten them.
He urged me to read the stories. But I was still struggling, still angry at myself, and very afraid. Who was that woman – the one who wrote all those stories?
My friend Tim, a fabulous writer-editor, called. He put up with my stuttering, the tears, the inability to hold on to a thought, and offered to read and edit some of those stories.
Like my husband, Tim believed I could learn to write again. He coached, pushed, challenged, encouraged. And, with help from him, two other editors (Lesley and Don), and several dedicated beta readers, I completed and published that first book and two others over 10 years.
I was still healing when I started coaching other memoir writers. But the group was wonderfully patient. Week by week, as my students blossomed, I regained my confidence in speaking, giving feedback, and coaching.
The best part? My students were writing powerful stories about their lives! The results astounded them – all adults over 55, most of whom had never done this kind of thing before.
Over the years, many have gone on to publish books and short memoirs – and some have entered and won writing competitions.
They – and I – are all very proud.
FYI:
To enquire about how I may help you produce your own memoir, please fill in the Memoir Coaching Services form on this site or contact me at:
cynthia@cynthiasreyes.com – don’t forget the ‘s’ in the middle!
~~~