UCLA Extension winter holiday closure: December 21 through January 1. Learn More

Memoir I

WRITING X 423.1

Find the right true story to tell in this foundational class in writing book-length memoirs.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
Online
Live Online
Starting at $720.00
As few as 10 weeks
3.0

What you can learn.

  • Identify significant moments from your life
  • Structure your story into a book-length work
  • Establish habits and tools for effective writing
  • Read successful memoirs to discuss their strengths
  • Complete an outline and draft of several chapters

About this course:

A memoir is a book-length narrative that is told from the writer's point of view and captures a meaningful slice of the writer's life. If you have a story to tell and would like to figure out how best to tell it, this course helps you get started. In-class writing exercises help you identify significant moments from your life, decide on a workable structure for telling your story and determine what exactly your story is about. You also focus on the habits and tools you need to establish and maintain a writing practice and read excerpts from a range of memoirs for inspiration and guidance. By the end of the course, you have an outline and a draft of one to two chapters.

Winter 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Wednesday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Available
See Details
Instructor: Stephen van Dyck
401005
Fee:
$720.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Location: Remote Classroom
Notes

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. 

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 22, 2025
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

(Optional) The Art of Memoir by KARR, MARY
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Wed Jan 8, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Jan 15, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Jan 22, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Jan 29, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Feb 5, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Feb 12, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Feb 19, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Feb 26, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Mar 5, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Wed Mar 12, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Available
See Details
Instructor: Liz Stephens
401006
Fee:
$720.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes

This online course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required live class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 22, 2025
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Writing Life Stories: How To Make Memories Into Memoirs Ideas Into Essays And Life Into Literature by Roorbach, Bill
The Liars' Club : A Memoir by Karr, Mary
The Art of Memoir by KARR, MARY

Spring 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 5:00PM - 8:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Eileen Cronin
402194
Fee:
$720.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Location: Remote Classroom
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

Refund Deadline
Refunds only available from February 03, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Tue Apr 1, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Apr 8, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Apr 15, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Apr 22, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Apr 29, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue May 6, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue May 13, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue May 20, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue May 27, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Tue Jun 3, 2025
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Kerry Cohen
402193
Fee:
$720.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required. 

Refund Deadline
Refunds only available from February 03, 2025 to April 13, 2025
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

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