Writing Together : Debra Marrs - Editor and Coach for Writers - Creative Writing - Online Writing Classes - Editing Services

ONLINE WRITING CLASSES in memoir

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”
- Chinese proverb

If you've been thinking about writing your life story
but don't know where to begin...
If you'd like to learn to craft your
life stories into literary memoir...
If you're looking for feedback
on stories you've already written...
If you answer "Yes" to any of these questions...

...I have a writing solution for you.

I've helped hundreds of people start their memoir projects with my series of step-by-step instructional materials that get you started writing your precious memories.

Online courses begin anytime. Take as long as you like to finish them. Work with a seasoned writing coach and instructor. Check out the descriptions that follow.

Thank you for a great course. Your comments have been so positive and helpful. I am feeling inspired. You have given me new confidence. Thanks!

- memoirist Barbara Sartor

WRITING CLASSES - CURRENT MENU

Start here if you're a beginning writer:
Writing Your Life Story: Where to Begin

When you're ready to expand your stories even more, try:
Bringing Memoir Characters To Life

Debra's Featured Signature Program - Like NO Other!
If you can write a letter or make a list, you will LOVE
Experimental Forms in Memoir

Intermediate to advanced memoir writers, you'll enjoy:
A Sense of Place - Why Setting Matters in Memoir

Online Class Format

AN INTRODUCTION TO

WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY: WHERE TO BEGIN

Discover how to remember and record special turns of events and life passages to create a lasting legacy in a powerful memoir.

Topics include: elements of successful storytelling, generating ideas, writing in vignettes, creating story through cinematic scenes, organizing ideas for your book project.

Study privately with Debra Marrs, a seasoned writing coach and instructor, via a 1:1 format including weekly writing assignments and detailed instructor feedback.

I meet you where you are as a writer, from novice to accomplished.

I provide a safe container for you to begin to explore the craft of writing.

You write your assignments and return to me via email reply. No server to log into.

It's easy because writing your life stories happens in the comfort of your home on your personal schedule. No commuting.

Ongoing enrollment per arrangement, $180

includes 4 weekly lessons in ebook format, writing assignments and instructor feedback

Get the Detailed Course Syllabus Here

Contact Debra for a free initial consultation to get started

Attending your classes has been a monumental mile-stone for me. I feel set free with the development of my creative writing skills. I've always been blessed with a vivid imagination. I just didn't know exactly how to focus it. Thank you, Debra!

- writer Dan Duerr

BRINGING MEMOIR CHARACTERS TO LIFE

Learn to make the people in your life stories interesting and alive through dynamic dialogue, unique persona traits and universal characteristics.

Get the Detailed Course Syllabus Here

Study privately with Debra Marrs, a seasoned writing coach and instructor, via a 1:1 format including weekly writing assignments and detailed instructor feedback.
I meet you where you are as a writer, from novice to accomplished.
I provide a safe container for you to begin to explore the craft of writing.
You write your assignments and return to me via email reply. No server to log into.
Write in the comfort of your home on your personal schedule. No commuting.
Ongoing enrollment per arrangement, $180
includes 4 weekly lessons in ebook format, writing assignments and instructor feedback
Contact Debra for a free initial consultation to get started

Thanks so much for all the great feedback on my Cherry Hospital journal. As always, your suggestions helped me so much and your positive comments motivated me!

- memoirist Marcia Smith

A SENSE OF PLACE:
WHY SETTING MATTERS IN MEMOIR

Discover how choices in setting details not only create the physical world but also set the tone and mood for your piece. Focus will be on description and metaphor.

Study privately with Debra Marrs, a seasoned writing coach and instructor, via a 1:1 format including weekly writing assignments and detailed instructor feedback.

I meet you where you are as a writer, from novice to accomplished.

I provide a safe container for you to begin to explore the craft of writing.

You write your assignments and return to me via email reply. No server to log into.

Write in the comfort of your home on your personal schedule. No commuting.

Ongoing enrollment per arrangement, $180
includes 4 weekly lessons in ebook format, writing assignments and instructor feedback

Contact Debra for a free initial consultation to get started

Just wanted to say how great it was to work with you. I felt so much lighter afterward, because I really had no perspective left on the work! and yours was so encouraging.

- memoirist and author Gurleen Grewal, Circles of Sorrow, Lines of Struggle: The Novels of Toni Morrison,

EXPERIMENTAL FORMS IN MEMOIR
Writing A Mosaic Memoir

Explore and experiment with non-traditional creative formats for writing your life stories, including triptychs, prose poems, third person narratives, list articles, letters, journal entries, instructions, recipes, and more. Generate ideas for adding unique elements to your personal body of work.

This is my signature course. There is no other course out there quite like this one. If you're tired of writing straight narrative and want to experiment with unique forms to tell your story, this course is for you. Even if you've never written a word, Experimental Forms in Memoir will give you a fun entry into collecting a special selection of memories in a unique way.

Study privately with Debra Marrs, a seasoned writing coach and instructor, via a 1:1 format including weekly writing assignments and detailed instructor feedback.

I meet you where you are as a writer, from novice to accomplished.

I provide a safe container for you to begin to explore the craft of writing.

You write your assignments and return to me via email reply. No server to log into.

Write in the comfort of your home on your personal schedule. No commuting.

Ongoing enrollment per arrangement, $180
includes 4 weekly lessons in ebook format, writing assignments and instructor feedback

Contact Debra for a free initial consultation to get started

Thank you SO much for your last comments. I swear it's getting to where getting your comments were/are as much fun as the writing itself. You really gave me a lot of room to play, but enough guidance to keep me on task so that I produced workable, readable pieces. Your comments have always been on the mark, and you've demonstrated a keen ability to pick out my bad habits and have given me succinct suggestions on correcting them. That's been so helpful.

- memoirist Dante Jericho

ONLINE CLASS FORMAT

Combination of new instructional material, weekly reading and writing exercises, ongoing online Q and A, writing assignments for feedback.

New course material available via email weekly. All correspondence and assignments turned into instructor via email. On the course start date, you will receive an e-mail with instructions for beginning course content and assignments.

Thanks, Debra! This is very clear and workable. I am continually amazed how much clarity can be conveyed through an online course. I am learning so much!

- memoirist Jayni Wilson

“Everything is held together with stories.
That is all that is holding us together—stories and compassion.”
- Barry Lopez