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Navigating time in a memoir is one of the most complex yet crucial aspects of storytelling. Knowing when to slow down, leap ahead, or expand a moment can make the difference between a memoir that captivates readers and one that loses its momentum.

But writers don’t always know when—or how—to magnify specific moments or skip ahead, especially when everything feels essential. Some want the reader to feel as disoriented as they did during significant events, yet struggle to convey that feeling of being lost without losing the reader.

In this 90-minute online class with Lisa Cooper Ellison, you’ll gain practical insights and inspiration to skillfully structure your memoir and keep readers engaged from start to finish. We’ll explore the basics and nuances of story time management, as well as how to prevent sagging middles, runaway scenes, and chapters that turn into yawn-fests, along with leaps in time that readers can’t follow.

During this session, you’ll discover:

• 5 ways to navigate time in storytelling
• How to identify which moments to contract or expand
• When to slow down, speed up, or leap ahead (and how)
• The most common time-related struggles that memoirists face
• What strong time management looks like in published manuscripts
• Insights from published writers who’ve excelled in this area

Who should take this class

• Memoirists struggling to show more and tell less
• Memoirists who’ve been told their stories are too long or unclear
• Memoirists working on coming-of-age stories
• Memoirists whose narratives cover multiple timelines
• Memoirists who’ve received feedback from readers struggling to follow their stories
• Memoirists with books that far exceed the conventional word count
• Memoirists who want to deepen their understanding of the craft of memoir

This class is not suited for

• Personal essayists (unless you’re writing a memoir-in-essays)
• Novelists
• Children’s writers
• Poets

How do I attend the live class?

This class uses Zoom webinar technology (see system requirements). You will join through your Internet-connected computer or mobile device. When you register, you will receive information via email on how to join the class. If you don’t receive it within 1 hour of registering, please contact us.

• When: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
• Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Eastern / 10:00 a.m. Pacific
• Registration fee: $25

The webinar is broadcast via the internet with live audio delivered through your computer or mobile device speakers. The visual presentation is displayed directly from the presenter’s computer to your computer screen. The Q&A is managed through a chat-style submission system with questions read and answered by the presenter for the entire class to hear.

Closed captions are provided during the live and recorded class. We use Zoom’s automated closed caption service, which is about 80%+ accurate. We use Adobe Premiere to generate a lightly edited transcript, provided with the recording.

Testimonials

All students receive the following

• Access to live class. After roughly 75 minutes, the instructor will take questions during class using in-class chat/text. The class will end after roughly 90 minutes.
• A recording of the class—audio and video. This is especially helpful if you have a conflict with the class time or something comes up and you can’t make the session. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials for 30 days. You do not have to attend the live event to access the recordings.
• Presentation slides. All participants receive a copy of the slide presentation in PDF form.
• Rough transcript. We use AI to create an automated transcript of the entire webinar, which is lightly edited for you.
• Supplementary material. After this webinar, you’ll receive a workbook with examples and exercises designed to help you master time management in this book and your future work.

Event Attendance & Anti-Harassment Policy

We strive to provide an environment where all present—whether attendee, presenter, or staff—can feel supported. In order to ensure a welcoming event, here is what we expect from all who participate.

• That the presenter and the presenter’s work be treated with respect by attendees and that all attendees treat each other with respect and a generosity of spirit.
• That attendees will refrain from harassment of any sort including (but not limited to) comments or questions of a racist, homophobic, sexist/sexual, or threatening nature. This includes actions that disrupt or interfere with anyone’s ability to participate. Offenders will be disconnected from the live event.