Take your readers on a heroine's journey

YOUR STORY SPINE

for memoir

Whereas an autobiography is the story of a life, a memoir is a story from a life. Here, we'll look into the story you most want to tell, one that has a universal meaning as well as personal resonance for readers.

You'll receive:

STORY SPINE PDF WORKBOOK

2 x SUBMISSION DEADLINES

2 x EDITORIAL NOTES

1 x 90 MIN COACHING CALL

1 x 30 MIN FOLLOW-UP CALL

With this jump-starter offer, you will ensure that the lived experiences you choose to share align with one specific narrative theme. This is essential for memoir if you're writing for a readership with the intent of being published.

This clarification process sets you up for your journey ahead, so taht you can write with purpose, and know why your memoir will be of value to readers. It also offers a taste of my coaching style, without any bigger financial commitment. 

THIS OFFER IS FOR YOU IF....

Your book is about a profound shift in identity

Have your real-life experiences led you to dismantle an old, seemingly fixed sense of identity? 

Have you reclaimed and re-embodied a potent feminine archetype - one that carries buried yet vital wisdom for the collective?

Do you have an idea of  how you will you inspire others through the sharing of your lived experience?

How can your reclamation, in story form, inspire others? How can it contribute to a profound shift at the level of culture... one reader at a time?

You're struggling to go from wide to narrow

Despite your book idea being about the events of your own life, you are yet to discover how to transform a collection of things that happened to you into a cohesive story that speaks with intimacy to a specific readership. 

You can't quite see your project as a finished entity. You know your story has universal points of reference, but you are yet to define the archetypal journey at its core, because you are too close to your own material to be able to see how to do this. 

You feel impatient to get the work underway, and are tired of thinking about it while remaining passive. It's time to start writing - with creative velocity and clear intent.

This feel urgent, because your book will speak in some way to the pain and brokenness in the world, and offer a way through. You want to inspire your readers, especially those who are in a similar situation to the one you were in, offering a lamp to light their way.

STEP 1: THE POINT

The point of your memoir is a single sentence that says something significant about your worldview, and acts as your controlling idea. It is the through-line for your book. All your subsequent decisions, around concept, structure, and narrative arc, are based on this one central statement. 

For instance, the point of Untamed, by Glennon Doyle, is that when we stop people pleasing, and instead dare to listen to the voice deep inside us, we can set ourselves free.

You're longing to define the controlling idea that is right for your memoir, giving you a full-body "YES!" 

A breakthrough in clarity, by defining the sentence that is the root of your entire argument, can get you through overwhelm, confusion, and the sticky moments, because you remember your source of inspiration in the first place. It energises and galvanizes you.

You haven't figured out what this is yet, from the wealth of ideas you could bring to the table. 

Why people will read your book

Knowing your point is especially important when writing memoir, because there is so much material from your life that you could draw from. 

In this package, I provide you with a series of questions and prompts for you to work on, to help you clarify your memoir's point.

This helps you then with discernment. You select the scenarios from your lived experience that best support your argument - because every book is an argument for something, however large or small.

Being clear on your controlling idea will keep you on track as you write, and ensure that you are always thinking about the reader. This is absolutely necessary, because the point you are making is why other people will read your book.

You don't yet know how to align your life-story to a bigger cultural conversation.

Deciding which stories to tell

Remember that while autobiography is the story of a life, memoir is a story from a life. Many authors write multiple memoirs, choosing a different theme each time.

For this memoir, what will be your choice of mythic theme, and why does it matter to your reader?

I wholly believe that "we are each other's stories": that we have much to learn from reading about the transformations that others have been through. What's the most meaningful transformation you have to share at this point in your life? Why does it matter in today's cultural climate?

Your life stories are there to illustrate the broader point you want to make. This is why it's so important to know your point before you start writing.

Writing with clarity

The clearer your intention is at the start, the more lucid your writing will be, and the more you'll enjoy the process of writing.

Doing this work will bring you a sense of liberation, motivation and enthusiasm. It will help you write your manuscript with thematic and structural cohesion; and that's as satisfying for you as author as it is for the reader.

This leads us into Step 2...

STEP 2: THE PURPOSE

Defining your reader's transformation journey

You're writing memoir and yes, your book will be compelling and entertaining at the level of story. 

However, its deeper purpose is to offer your readers an archetypal journey of transformation that resonates with them loud and clear, because they recognise its relevance to their own lives. 

Good memoir makes plenty of room for readers. You tell your story to them but also for  them.

A common problem with memoir is that it is too inward-facing and leaves readers asking (to put it brutally): Why should I care?  This will happen if your motivation is more therapy-oriented than about author-to-reader communication.

Solving a problem for your reader

Solving a specific problem for your reader will make sure you meet the reader's needs, so they then decide to give hours of their time over to reading it (within no doubt a busy schedule.). 

You make an important offer to your readers when you share your transformation journey. You're going to open their eyes, shift their worldview, and possibly suggest calls to action that will change their own ways of being in the world.

In this second part of the Story Spine work, then, you will learn to think about  who your readers are in specific terms. You will consider their pressing wants and needs, their hunger for insights and illumination.... and you will weave your memoir around these issues with conscious intent.

This is how they will know, at a glance, that your book is right for them.

Creating author-reader rapport

Factoring in your readers' wants and needs might feel salesy, manipulative, out of integrity, or anathema to your creativity.

These feelings are common, but actually the process of exploring your readers' needs is incredibly helpful, because it offers the kind of rewarding, transformative experience that has your reader feel as if this book was written specifically for them. As if you are whispering your personal stories in their ear because you know them intimately, and can offer them just the right kind of medicine.

This has surely happened to you as a reader from time to time, and you will remember the exquisite feeling it brought of feeling seen, validated and understood.

Taking time to establish who your ideal readers are, and what they need from your story, is a key step in making sure that you are writing for them, and not just for yourself or your family.

If you can do pull this off, your book will open your readers' hearts and minds, and they in turn will feel inspired to recommend your book through word of mouth (the proven #1 way to sell a book.)

STEP 3: POINT & PURPOSE TOGETHER

With the help of the questions and prompts in the Story Spine guide that I provide you with, you will put your memoir's point together with its purpose.

By doing this, you will have your organising principle or 'story spine.' You will find the sweet spot between what you have to give, and the subject your readers long to read about.

You will receive feedback from me along the way; and then you'll bring all your thoughts to our coaching calls, where we'll discuss the scope of your book in terms of the viability of your idea/story, and your publishing ambition. I will offer reflections from an industry perspective, to examine how well your idea might stand a chance in the marketplace.

Our conversation will put you face to face with your wild ambitions as well your doubts, and we'll talk through the full spectrum.

Remember, you must be writing not just a personal narrative but simltaneously about a larger issue in the cultural Zeitgeist if you want your memoir to be signed up with an agent or publisher. 

IMAGINE THE FEELING...

  • Your vision for your memoir has simplified and clarified, because you have discovered the deeper meaning of your story.
  • You know your point and purpose, and therefore have the story spine for your entire book. (Note: this puts you way ahead of the curve. I cannot emphasize this enough. Most people write to find out what they want to say. This approach saves an enormous amount of time and energy.)
  • You've put your attention into who your readers are, what you're offering them and why.
  • You're starting to think in terms of your memoir's role in the marketplace.
  • Having defined the archetypal journey that lies at the heart of your book, you're energised to make the next steps.
  • You know what to say if people ask you what you're working on. You can articulate your vision in a few well-chosen words.

You will ask yourself challenging questions.

It takes dedication to find your story spine, especially in the case of memoir when you're so close to your own experience.

You're going to have to dig to find the answers that are true for you. 

It's likely this will involve a deep exploration of your sacred life purpose or dharma. The tools provided in this program are carefully curated to help you do this.

Setting yourself up with 'right thinking.'

This process does not promise instantaneous results. It will be iterative. After all, there's nothing small about the subject you're writing about. There's so much you have lived through! There are so many riches you could share.

You might experience an 'aha!' moment at some point during our process that gives you goose-bumps: an angle into your personal story that feels like exactly the right one. 

This can happen, but it's possible you will continue to refine your ideas after we've done our initial, bite-sized work together. 

What this offer will do, most importantly, is set you up with right thinking as you embark on your memoir project. You will learn how to ask the right questions.

How fast you move will depend on how far along the path you are already, and how much time and effort you choose to put in.

Are you sure that memoir is the right genre for you?

You might feel unsure about the best form for your book idea, and need guidance on that level before you proceed with anything else. 

Are you writing a narrative memoir, a hybrid memoir (also known as memoir+), or in fact, would your book idea be best written as a non-fiction book with strong memoir elements?

If you're experiencing confusion about the best form for your story, know that this is perfectly normal; and we can address your concerns in our 90 min coaching call. I will bring industry insights to this conversation to guide you through to the right decision for you and your material.

PRAISE

Catriona helped shepherd a transformation within me, to let go of a book project I’d been working on and to embark on a more raw and personal project. 

I believe that Catriona was the only coach who could elicit this dramatic pivot and is the one I trust to make it the book of my dreams.

JANE HARDJONO

Embodiment coach

janehardjono.com

 PRACTICALITIES

1

YOUR WORKBOOK & SCHEDULE

This program starts with a 2-part workbook for you to go through in your own time. You'll receive this when you sign up. The questions and exercises provided will help you to brainstorm your memoir's point and purpose in specific and guided ways. The more time and thought you put into your answers to the questions provided, the better.

2

SUBMITTING YOUR WORK

Once you've done the preparatory work for Part 1, you'll send your working document to me. I will provide editorial notes and feedback. You'll proceed with Part 2. 

3

COACHING CALL

We'll use your 90 min coaching call to look at your written responses in detail, do some creative brainstorming, explore the scope and marketability of your idea, and address any questions you might have.

4

FOLLOW-UP CALL

Your 30 min follow-up call is for checking in that you're feeling good about your point and purpose, and to address any further questions. 

INVESTMENT

$500 USD

 

THIS OFFER INCLUDES:

* Story Spine PDF workbook

* 2 x submission deadlines

* 2 x rounds of editorial notes

* 1 x 90 min coaching call

* 1 x 30 min follow-up call

*Must be completed within 45 days from date of purchase.

PAYMENT

I'll send you an invoice in advance for an online payment. While prices are set in USD, payment is possible in €, AUD or GBP on request.

Are you interested in working with me? 

Please click the button below. 

You can expect to hear from me within 1-2 business days.

I encourage you to read my Do We Fit page before reaching out.

YOUR STORY SPINE

FAQ

WHAT COMMUNICATION TOOLS DO YOU USE?

For edits and written feedback, we'll use Microsoft Word's 'track changes' function, so it's important you are familiar with this.

For the coaching call, we will use Google Meet. This requires no subscription at your end. 

DO YOU OFFER REFUNDS?

This service is non-refundable. If for unexpected reasons you can't use this full service within 45 days from the time of purchase, please contact me in advance of your expiry date to discuss this.

can i be assured of confidentiality?

All communication and materials are treated as confidential, unless your permission to share with others is explicitly granted. This is stated in my terms of service.
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