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Rachael Herron
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Fast-Draft Your Memoir: Write Your Life Story in 45 Hours Kindle Edition

by Rachael Herron (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 456 ratings
This is your roadmap for completing the memoir you've dreamed about writing.

It’s FINALLY time to write your story! Writing memoir is daunting! You're the expert on your life, naturally, but narrating and organizing your own experiences in the best way can feel impossible. SO many writers become frustrated in early drafting stages and quit after a couple of brief attempts. That’s not you, not anymore! Learn from bestselling memoirist Rachael Herron (who teaches this class at Stanford Continuing Studies) how to fast-draft your memoir while keeping its structure compelling. Learn how to frame your life's story and give it a natural arc to keep your reader glued to the page. Figure out how to handle those family and friends you're writing about. Explore what truth means in memoir. Work quickly to quiet the inner critic. Learn how to get out of your own way to get the words on the page. You can do this! Rachael will show you how.

"Of all the how-to-write-memoir books I've purchased, checked out, or perused and put back, this book offers by far the most coherent, compact, inspiring, and clear advice." S. Day Conner

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    Fast-Draft Your Memoir
  2. Print length
    220 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    February 4, 2018
  5. File size
    2.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Of all the how-to-write-memoir books I've purchased, checked out, or perused and put back, this book offers by far the most coherent, compact, inspiring, and clear advice. - S. Day Connor Simply put, if you have ever struggled to finish a book, if you have a yen to write about a time in your life, but aren't sure how to structure it, where to start, how to get through the middle and across the finish line---THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. - B. Edelman

From the Author

This is your roadmap for completing the memoir you've dreamed about writing.

"Rachael Herron resonates with our audience, and not just because she knows her stuff--she does--or because she's hilarious--she is--but because her honesty and earnestness come through in all her messaging." Samantha Sanders, Writer's Digest

Writing memoir is daunting! You're the expert on your life, naturally, but narrating and organizing your own experiences in the best way can feel impossible. Many writers become frustrated in early drafting stages and quit after a couple of brief attempts. Learn from bestselling memoirist Rachael Herron (who teaches this class at Stanford Continuing Studies) how to fast-draft your memoir while keeping its structure compelling. Learn how to frame your life's story and give it a natural arc to keep your reader glued to the page. Figure out how to handle those family and friends you're writing about. Explore what truth means in memoir. Work quickly to quiet the inner critic. Most of all, learn how to get out of your own way to get the words on the page. You can do this! Rachael will show you how. Scroll up and click buy NOW!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07945BD95
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HGA Publishing (February 4, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 4, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 220 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1940785413
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 456 ratings

About the author

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Rachael Herron

Rachael Herron

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Rachael Herron is the bestselling author of more than two dozen books, including thriller (under R.H. Herron), mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir, and nonfiction about writing. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and she's taught writing extension workshops at both UC Berkeley and Stanford.A New Zealand citizen as well as an American, she lives in Wellington, New Zealand with her banjo-playing wife and brick-eating dog.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
456 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful and informative, providing useful guidance for writing fiction and non-fiction. They find it inspiring, encouraging, and engaging. The humor and pacing are appreciated. Customers appreciate the honest, real, and fast-paced content. Overall, they consider it a good value for money.

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AdviceWriting adviceInspirationHumorFictionPacingValue for money
37 customers mention "Advice"37 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's advice and guidance. They find it informative without being too technical. The book provides useful information on writing a compelling memoir, with helpful exercises like nailing down your 6-word memoir theme. Readers appreciate the author's insight and guidance, leading them through the history of memoir writing.

"...She talks directly to the reader throughout the book. She guides you through the exercises which make them more personal...." Read more

"...It is to the point, with great epiphanies revealed and much practical advice. There is also a clear explanation of the number 45 in the subtitle...." Read more

"...It's a deep book, a literary book, whereas Fast-Draft is a fast book that I think glosses over important subjects...." Read more

"...It has easy to digest explanations and a series of thought provoking exercises to get you started on your journey to writing your memoir...." Read more

36 customers mention "Writing advice"36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for writing advice. They say it provides clear guidance for all stages of writing, including fiction and non-fiction. The guidance is praised as clear and concise. Readers appreciate the practical steps to get their stories onto paper.

"...I went through the instructions and have a great outline started – that went in a COMPLETELY different direction then what I thought at the..." Read more

"...things down into manageable steps in a way that is not only way to understand but is a joy to read...." Read more

"...This book gave me concrete tools to bypass my fears and simply write my story. I'm super glad I did." Read more

"...Herron has great advice for all stages of writing, fiction and non-fiction, both specific step-by-step plans and general motivational insights...." Read more

23 customers mention "Inspiration"23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and encouraging, with clear guidance and motivational insights. They appreciate the author's enthusiasm, humility, and humor. The book provides reassurance and tools for writing.

"...There is reassurance and heart in this book. If you are a writer, or even have a glimmer of a thought of being a writer in any capacity…order it!..." Read more

"...She interjects the perfect amount of humor and sympathy to each lesson and provides examples that clearly drive home why each lesson is..." Read more

"...Silverman provides terrific examples of her teaching points including many pieces written by other writers...." Read more

"...3. The book is an enjoyable and fast read. BUT: While I read the text and haven't (yet) heard the audio book -- I really recommend the audio book!..." Read more

17 customers mention "Humor"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the humor in the book. They find it engaging and easy to read.

"...She interjects the perfect amount of humor and sympathy to each lesson and provides examples that clearly drive home why each lesson is..." Read more

"...The biggest gem for me is the many humorous nudges not to second-guess myself...." Read more

"...Clearly, generously, tenderly and humorously Rachael Herron takes you step by step through the process...." Read more

"...The warmth, wit, and wisdom in Herron's voice in her podcasts translates well to the page...." Read more

6 customers mention "Fiction"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the fiction book informative and helpful. They appreciate its step-by-step approach for both fiction and nonfiction writing. The book is described as honest, enlightening, and real.

"...Herron has great advice for all stages of writing, fiction and non-fiction, both specific step-by-step plans and general motivational insights...." Read more

"...Her book is honest, enlightening, and real!..." Read more

"...I found her humorous, honest, companionable writing style a joy to read, and she made even the most challenging aspects of writing seem manageable...." Read more

"An honest, practical book on writing memoir from first ugly draft to publication told with candor and humor. Thank you, Rachael Herron!" Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's pacing fast. They say it's an informative read and the winner was "Fast-Draft Your Memoir".

"...of books on writing memoirs, and the captivating winner was Fast-Draft Your Memoir...." Read more

"...3. The book is an enjoyable and fast read. BUT: While I read the text and haven't (yet) heard the audio book -- I really recommend the audio book!..." Read more

"...In this accessible, fast-paced, "how-to" book the best selling author Rachael Herron provides a clear road to telling your very own story...." Read more

"Energetic fast read..." Read more

4 customers mention "Value for money"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's value for money. They mention it has a good price and fast shipping.

"...It's affordable, fun and electronic. Even if you don't want to write your memoir now, this book may very well change your mind." Read more

"This book is worth the money. I am already doing many of the tips/ways. It's a book that you can read over and over again." Read more

"good price fast shipping" Read more

"well worth thw money...." Read more

Book falling apart
3 out of 5 stars
Book falling apart
The binding on this book is awful. About every second or third page falls out. Lucky they have page numbers or it would be worthless.The book itself is delightfully written and a good read. In looking at the back cover (as I was tearing the book apart to put it in a binder instead) I realized it was made on the day that I ordered it, so it makes me wonder about the purchase
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Tammy Evans
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Writer's Must READ
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    There are many reasons to check this book out:

    If you love books about writing, this is the book for you!

    If you want to write a memoir, this is the book for you!

    If you are a writer that doesn’t want to write a memoir, this book is for you!

    It is a workshop in book form. I was lucky enough to snag an early copy for review. I read a lot of writing books but this one is different.

    I actually read this book and did the exercises. It motivated me to write.

    It reads like a conversation between you and the author which is a style I gravitate to.

    I particularly like Rachel’s voice in the first two chapters. I love the fact that this is her class in book form. People, she teaches at Stanford (STANFORD!!!)

    “OUR JOB AS MEMOIRISTS IS TO BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY REPORT WHAT HAPPENED, BUT WHAT IT MEANT. IT’S A BALANCE OF SHOWING AND TELLING.”
    She is completely reassuring that if you have reservations about telling your story. Her reassurance is humorous: “It won’t accidentally end up on a bookstore shelf.”

    “AFTER THE BOOK IS COMPLETE, AND AFTER YOU’VE REVISED IT ONCE OR TWICE WITH THE HELP OF A GOOD EDITOR WHO IS NOT RELATED TO YOU (MORE ON THIS LATER), ONLY THEN DO YOU START TO DECIDE HOW TO HANDLE THE TRUTHS YOU ARE GOING TO PUT OUT INTO THE WORLD.”
    “BUT IN MEMOIR, WE GO INTO THE DEEPEST PARTS OF OURSELVES, AND WE LIFT THEM UP INTO THE LIGHT. WE DISPLAY OUR BROKEN BITS. WE SHOW OURSELVES, NAKED AND FLAWED.”
    I did her 15 min exercise and ended up putting down 850 words. If I multiply that x4 my hour word count is 3400 words. I really have no excuse for not writing.

    She talks directly to the reader throughout the book. She guides you through the exercises which make them more personal.

    THIS BOOK IS AN EXPERIENCE, NOT JUST A READ THROUGH OR WORKBOOK.
    The outlining section was the one I was afraid of. I went through the instructions and have a great outline started – that went in a COMPLETELY different direction then what I thought at the beginning of the book. That felt like magic.

    My personal memoir right now is hard to write. Some of the things I NEED to write about are too fresh. I make notes and write through some things but it is not ready for anyone to see it. I also realized that my professional book about education is really a memoir which means I have been able to use the same exercises to outline that book.

    Story structure is not ignored in this book either.

    There are examples for each section so as the writer you truly understand what Rachael is asking you to do.

    There is reassurance and heart in this book. If you are a writer, or even have a glimmer of a thought of being a writer in any capacity…order it! You won’t be sorry.
    106 people found this helpful
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  • Christina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool for memoir writing that's actually fun to read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I've been writing a memoir for an embarrassing length of time. Without direction, I was wandering aimlessly and had no concrete ideas on how to proceed. I sent a couple chapters to a friend who does some editing and the critical feedback was so hard to bear that even thinking about my writing made me ill.

    This book was exactly what I needed. I recognized some of the elements the editor pointed out and was able to frame it in a helpful light and understand in a way that wasn't painful or personal. This book gave me the courage to try again and it gave me tools I was lacking previously.

    Rachael breaks things down into manageable steps in a way that is not only way to understand but is a joy to read. She interjects the perfect amount of humor and sympathy to each lesson and provides examples that clearly drive home why each lesson is important.

    I followed along with the exercises and realized that I need to start and end my memoir in entirely different points in my life than I'd planned. The exercises lead you through some serious introspection that will pay off to develop your story arc and themes.

    Really wish I would have read this book eight years ago.

    Do I have my first draft at the end of this read? No. I still have a lot of work ahead of me but I feel so much better equipped now. I have direction, purpose and belief that I really can finish this memoir.
    93 people found this helpful
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  • Victoria Ichizli-Bartels
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, helpful, humorous, and to the point
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I downloaded several samples of books on writing memoirs, and the captivating winner was Fast-Draft Your Memoir. It is to the point, with great epiphanies revealed and much practical advice. There is also a clear explanation of the number 45 in the subtitle. I ended up writing a little over 44k words book without really intending it. And just as the author recommends, I wrote quickly and took time revising it many times. I was amazed again that the best bits were those I wrote fastest.
    The biggest gem for me is the many humorous nudges not to second-guess myself.
    I will re-read this book before writing my next memoir whenever this might be. I don't feel that I missed anything. The information is concise but all-encompassing.
    Oh, I almost forgot to say. I read many articles on writing memoirs many years prior, and I was writing one for many years. This book gave me concrete tools to bypass my fears and simply write my story. I'm super glad I did.
    48 people found this helpful
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  • R. Bruce Magee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Better books about writing a memoir exist.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I think Fearless Confessions: A Writer's Guide to Memoir by Sue William Silverman is a better guide. Silverman provides terrific examples of her teaching points including many pieces written by other writers. It's a deep book, a literary book, whereas Fast-Draft is a fast book that I think glosses over important subjects. Silverman includes a HUGE listing of recommended nonfiction books including memoirs at her book's end. I've read her book twice; when I write the memoir her book will be at my side.
    49 people found this helpful
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  • Paul Worthington
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable advice for all writers
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I've never read or intended to write memoir. But:
    1. This is a great book on writing in general, not just memoir. Herron has great advice for all stages of writing, fiction and non-fiction, both specific step-by-step plans and general motivational insights.
    2. Dang, now I am writing a memoir. Yes, Herron's book is that motivating. (Fortunately for me, the non-fiction memoir will piggyback on the subject of my fiction series.)
    3. The book is an enjoyable and fast read. BUT: While I read the text and haven't (yet) heard the audio book -- I really recommend the audio book! This is because I am a fan of Herron's podcast, and you will be too as soon as you give it a listen. Her voice and speaking style are joyous, and it makes me happy to hear her speak.
    69 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Meagan Hesham
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best writing book!
    Reviewed in Canada on September 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have read all the books on writing, but this was my very favourite! I read this as I wrote my own first memoir and it helped immensely! Gives you so much to think about and clear action plans to get that book written! I recommend this book to all my writing friends!
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  • Athena
    5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!!!
    Reviewed in India on March 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Oh what a blessing this book is. Practically every question an aspiring author may have had has been covered in here. And her writing is just so incredible. Makes the book Unputdownable ❤️✨
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  • Sue Ibrahim
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best way to get started
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Of all the books I've read on writing memoir, this is the best for getting started. It helps you think what you want to write about, how to plan it and how to actually get a first draft written. There are other books which are good on scene-writing, dialogue, language, etc and talk about memory and truth, but this book does what it sets out to do - actually gets you writing your memoir - and fast!
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  • Susan A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great product and information to support your writing
    Reviewed in Australia on August 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Love the author keeping it real and simple
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  • S Denton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gold!
    Reviewed in Canada on January 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    As a publisher and Book Coach, I’m always interested in growing and developing my skills. Rachael’s way of sharing her knowledge is so accessible and fun! This was such an easy and informative read, really great! Such a gift to literature!
    Report

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