EPISODE 77: Nurturing Memoir Writing with Wendy Dale: Insights, Structure, and Emotional Resonance

Send us a text In this episode of Wayward Writers, hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer welcome Wendy Dale, an acclaimed author and memoir writing coach. Wendy discusses her journey into memoir writing, emphasizing the complexities and common pitfalls writers face. The conversation highlights crucial topics like the importance of structure, the challenges of balancing personal vulnerability with craft, and the necessity of creating an emotional experience for readers. Wendy also shares success stories from her clients and offers valuable advice for aspiring memoir writers. 00:00 Introduction to Wayward Writers 00:30 Guest Introduction: Wendy Dale 01:40 The Challenges of Writing Memoirs 03:55 Understanding Memoir Structure 08:28 The Importance of Structure and Prose 17:02 Memoir Engineering System 23:57 Identifying and Fixing Writing Issues 24:45 The Importance of Critique Partners 25:29 Common Writing Pitfalls 28:21 Success Stories of Memoir Writing 32:22 Balancing Vulnerability and Craft in Memoir Writing 33:23 The Role of Structure in Writing 40:41 Advice for Aspiring Memoir Writers 43:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Find out more about Author Wendy Dale HERE! Memoir Writing For Geniuses (FREE Workshop) The Memoir Engineering System: Make Your First Draft Your Final Draft by Wendy Dale (Buy Wendy's Book HERE!) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit waywordwriters.substack.com