Week 1

Discuss course objectives for the forthcoming eight weeks of class. Choices in structuring one’s life story are presented, such as chronological (the most popular, and perhaps most effective) to special events, time/history. Discuss benefits of sharing written material and expectations of the course.

Week 2

Introduce related reading, so students can see how other writers have broached the task and successfully related their life stories. Discuss preparation of an outline with whatever method the student chooses to employ.

Week 3

Discuss specific descriptions, the use of adjectives and adverbs that enhance the stories’ characters, places and events. Also covers minimizing the use of “I” and tired terms like “I remember…” Discusses the beginning and possible introductions for the student’s book. What would be the best starting point, and why the writer chose that particular person, event. Perhaps there is a scandal or family secret that would be an interesting and effective starting point. Students learn how to assess highlights.

Week 4

Learning to say more with less, specific examples of ample description versus excessive description are discussed. Making characters stand out by using distinctive phrases or characteristics akin to that person. Utilize mini exercises to help students hone their skills, assess their writing through these exercises and critiquing their work.

Week 5

Emphasis is on style and narration, using dialogue, stream of consciousness and other forms of style to set the tone and pace of their story, give flavor to their work. Students are asked to consult with other family members or relatives to verify facts, possibly to provide a mini review.

Week 6

Some students will inevitably experience writers block or frustration in attempting to write their life history in a succinct but colorful fashion, thus different methods of writing “warm-ups” are discussed and employed to help the beginning writer get over the hurdle. Students learn techniques on how to jog their memories.

Week 7

By now each student should have a good start on their life story and be able to submit at least one chapter for an in depth analysis of progression, character, and relating events in an effective manner. Has the student achieved continuity and clarity of events while also managing to bring their history to life?

Week 8

Review chapters; finish up by answering any lingering questions. Review previous suggestions for continuing to write their life story.