4 Outlining Mistakes to Avoid for Your Memoir episode artwork

EPISODE · May 20, 2025 · 25 MIN

4 Outlining Mistakes to Avoid for Your Memoir

from The Page & Podium Podcast with Dr. Amanda Nell Edgar · host Page & Podium Press

Having a strong outline is important because the underlying structure is what makes or breaks so many narratives. But how do you know your outline is "right"? There are so many forms and approaches to outlines out there, and the majority of them do not have memoirs in mind. Memoirs are their own form of writing, and they deserve to have their own considerations when it comes to outlining them. Structures used to describe fiction--like the Hero's Journey or Save the Cat--might feel overly prescriptive, especially when the facts of your life story don't really seem to fit. This week, we review four mistakes you can make while outlining your memoir and how to avoid them. Do you have a plan for actually finishing your memoir? If not, we know you aren’t making the progress you hoped for. That’s why we developed The Memoir Method Checklist. This free guide (and video training!) will take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. Grab it now at https://pageandpodium.com/checklist 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 6:00- You can use too much or too little guidance Mistakes: 12:13-Using a descriptive form as a prescription 14:40- Just writing and see how it comes out 18:54- Relying heavily on an "alternative" structure 20:53- Relying on an "internal" or bare-bones outline 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

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4 Outlining Mistakes to Avoid for Your Memoir

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This episode is 25 minutes long.

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This episode was published on May 20, 2025.

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Having a strong outline is important because the underlying structure is what makes or breaks so many narratives. But how do you know your outline is "right"? There are so many forms and approaches to outlines out there, and the majority of them do...

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