This episode is for the writer who wants to finish their memoir in 2026. You’ve already invested years and years into this work, and you just want to be finished with your draft. Heading into 2026, this is what I want for you: Yes, I want you to finish your memoir manuscript. I also want you to love it. The thing is that if writing your way worked, you’d have finished and published by now. So let’s talk about why this is and how to shift it going into 2026.
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You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who has thought about throwing in the towel, but something keeps stopping you from giving up. Maybe you think about publishing your memoir, but often you can’t even think that far ahead. What you are actually waiting for is a moment in the drafting process that I’m going to highlight today, and hopefully this small perspective shift can make your writing feel more do-able to you. Ultimately I want this episode to serve as a lighthouse to you when writing feels hard and frustrating. Let’s get into it.
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You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the self-published memoir, The Light that Shines Through: One Woman’s Journey of Healing and Stepping into Her Power by Shawna Thibodeau.
Join the Memoir Method January cohort today!
You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writers who know they’re really good writers. You know how to turn a phrase. You know how to tap into your voice and you have a style. You love the craft of writing, and you know that the quality of your writing is exemplary. I say this with so much love, friend: Just because you’re a good writer doesn’t mean that you’re going to write a good memoir. Today I’ll show you the missing piece in the creativity of memoir so that you can write a beautiful memoir that is also a good memoir. Let’s get into it.
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You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who is actually really good at sitting down to write. Procrastination probably isn’t your kryptonite (at least when you’ve made writing a habit). I can bet that you’re disciplined and committed to the projects that matter to you. You wouldn’t have even considered writing your memoir if you didn’t have some chutzpah behind it! But, for reasons you can’t quite figure out, you’re still not finished. And it’s starting to drive you crazy. Let’s talk about it. (And stick around until the end of the episode, because I’m announcing something new and fun and it comes with a little holiday sparkle!)
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Send me your thoughts and questions from today's episode on Instagram @the.memoir.coach or email hello@bookishedits.com
You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer desperate to reconnect to her memoir. You’ve felt meh about your memoir for months, and you’ve realized that you hate feeling that way about your story. You hate feeling frustrated and discouraged about this manuscript that actually means so much to you. I walk my clients through very deep and vulnerable moments of doubt and discouragement, and without fail, when they reach a certain point, they skyrocket. Today I’m bringing you behind the curtain so that you can see when this happens and when it can happen for you too. Let’s get started.
Move your memoir forward by enrolling in The Memoir Method today and take advantage of these limited-time holiday specials:
Not sure? Grab free 30 minute call
You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir / true crime hybrid The Tragedy of True Crime, and today is part 2.
Listen to 103: Why it Works (or Not) -- The Tragedy of True Crime, Part 1
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You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who keeps coming back to the same chapters to rewrite. I won’t ask you to tell me how many drafts you’ve worked through, but I’ll chance a guess that it’s more than three or four. I’ve seen this happen with brilliant writers, and it’s a spiral that will cannibalize your offer. You can get to a point where you’re OVER editing, OVER working your memoir, and you’ve lost the plot. Let’s talk about it.
Episode 99: Breaking the Rewrite Cycle
3 Hidden Reasons You Haven't Finished Your Memoir free video
Join the Chapter One Jumpstart Challenge
You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir / true crime hybrid, The Tragedy of True Crime, and today is part 1. Let’s get started.
The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define US by John J. Lennon
Join the Chapter One Jumpstart Challenge; a live, five-day experience starting November 17th
You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who thinks that if they just found the right editor then they could make sense of their memoir. When creativity gets hard, it sometimes stops being fun, and when that happens, you start wondering if there isn’t an easier way to make this memoir happen. Spoiler alert, there isn’t a shortcut. You do have to do the hard part. But the way you walk through the hard part? That’s where we get to play and that’s what we’re diving into today. Let’s get into it.
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Watch the free video, 3 Hidden Reasons You Haven't Finished Your Memoir
You can find me on Instagram @the.memoir.coach, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who has been burned by editors before. You’ve invested time, money, and trust into an editor, and you feel if not betrayed, at least disillusioned. Your memoir isn’t any closer to being finished and now your document is marked up with comments and changes that you don’t know what to do with. Today I want to dive into why that is and how to re-empower yourself as the author seeking support.
Link to schedule a free 30-minute call.
"3 Reasons You Haven't Finished Your Memoir" Video.
Listen to The Memoir Method Podcast Episode #94 with Annie B. Jones
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This episode is special for three reasons: First, we sit down to discuss this month's memoir, Renegade Agency with the author herself, Andrea Verbanic. Second reason, Andrea was my very first client and third this is my 100th episode! Let's get into it!
Purchase Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
Visit my website Charlotte Writes: Where Every Story Matters
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who is embarrassed to tell me how many times you’ve rewritten your draft. You’re committed and resilient, but yet that’s not resulting in a manuscript that you’re proud of and want others to read. The big reframe we get to explore today is that rewriting is not the same as revising. This is a big one, so let’s get into it.
Free video 3 Hidden Reasons You Haven’t Finished Your Memoir
Visit my website Charlotte Writes: Where Every Story Matters
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic, and today is part 2.
Purchase Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic here
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who makes time to write and is committed to her memoir, but still isn’t making any progress. If willpower could finish and publish your memoir, my job as a writing coach and editor would look a lot different. In today’s episode, I’ll show you why willpower actually isn’t your problem and how this reframe can refresh your entire writing process. Let’s get into it.
Get the free "3 Hidden Reasons You Haven’t Finished Your Memoir" video here.
Schedule a free 30-min call here.
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic, and today is part 1.
Purchase Renegade Agency here.
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who sits down at her computer and realizes that she’s not having fun anymore. You may have started off feeling lit up, inspired, and creative, but now everything feels flat. You’re opening your document because you feel like you have to, not because you actually want to or feel that you’re making progress. But here’s the thing: You won’t ever finish if you’re writing to check a box. So today I want to help you tap back into what it would feel like to come at your memoir draft with creativity again. Let’s get into it!
Schedule your free 30-minute phone call
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
Visit my webpage, Charlotte Writes to stay in touch!
Our next memoir read for "Why it Works (or Not)" is Renegade Agency by Andrea Verbanic
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. In September I dived deep into Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones, and today we actually get to talk to Annie! Let’s welcome her to the show.
Visit The Bookshelf to purchase your copy of Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones
Check out her podcast, From the Front Porch
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is for the writer who has looked into an editor and is intimidated by the average investment required to partner with a publishing professional. I know that there can be some sticker shock, especially if you’re new to publishing. I want you to come into this episode ready to orient yourself with where you are in your writing and ready to think critically about how you want to use an editor’s expertise. We can’t talk about publishing (and especially independent publishing) without talking about money, so let’s get started.
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
Editorial Freelancers Association Rates Chart
Click here to schedule a free 30 minute phone call
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Substack, Facebook, and YouTube.
This episode is part of a series where I take already published memoir and break down what works and why (and what doesn’t work and why). I’ve found that when I’m teaching my Memoir Method concepts to my writers, they benefit from seeing how these principles play out in memoir that you can find at the bookstore. This month I’m looking at the memoir Ordinary Time by Annie B. Jones, and today is part 2.
Enroll in The Memoir Method today, (Phase 1 and Phase 2 are available instant access!).
Ordinary Times: Lessons Learned While Staying Put by Annie B. Jones
You can find me on Instagram @charlottejanewrites, Facebook, and YouTube.