• Four-week workshop alternate Thursday Afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• October 1, 15, 29, and November 12, 2026
• 90-minute Zoom Sessions $150 Member Price
• Participant Minimum 4, Maximum 6

Register HERE

Many writers start with a general idea of what their memoirs will be about, such as their time in the Navy, their rough childhood, or the unexpected way their lives have evolved. This can be a good way to begin.

After writing some stories or making a list of story ideas, though, questions crop up, such as: How do these pieces fit together? What should I include? What should I leave out? If a publisher or a writing group is consulted, the writer is asked: What is your narrative arc?

In this workshop, we will figure this out together. We will use this four-step process:

• Week 1: What is a narrative arc? How does it work? How can it help you?
• Week 2: How do you find a universal idea that applies to your specific set of stories?
• Week 3: Are you willing to cut out pieces that don’t fit?
• Week 4: Are you willing to fill in the gaps?

Each week, we will meet for 90 minutes to hear about your stories and ideas. We’ll discuss why publishers are looking for memoirs with great narrative arcs. I will share examples of how writers I’ve worked with have found their narrative arcs. We will brainstorm and ask questions together. By the end of the four weeks, we will have worked through a set of worksheets that culminates in a sketch of your narrative arc.

 

Please Note: WWA highly recommends that participants have a computer and reliable access to the internet. It is nearly impossible to participate in the sessions using only a smartphone. Having a rudimentary understanding of Google Docs, Word, and Zoom is also recommended. If you have questions, concerns, or need to know more about the group before you sign up, contact Jennifer Rupp: jrupp25@gmail.com

 

Catherine Stover Bio: Catherine Stover was introduced to the power of memoir when her 79-year-old grandfather wrote a 100-page book about his life. He asked her to be his typist. She saw how his book helped future generations understand family history and how it shaped the way this grandfather is remembered. She has taught memoir classes and workshops for a decade, and is an award- winning writer and an award-winning teacher. She is the author of the book A Palette of Memories: Finding Clarity in Memoir, which the Wisconsin Writers Association will publish in March of 2027.