A bespoke programme to help you write your memoir or creative non-fiction book
You’ve got a great story to tell but can’t find the right way to tell it. You’ve started a creative non-fiction project but it’s stalled. You’re tired of slogging away alone at your desk, or find it hard to carve out time for your writing. Maybe the words are flowing but your narrative feels unstructured and unmanageable.
Writing a memoir doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Picture how it might feel to work alongside a group of other writers who know just what it’s like to experience self-doubt and writer’s block.
Imagine what your book could be like if you had the input of an experienced writing coach to help you find your way out of stuckness and get the thing finished.
See yourself turning the final page of your memoir, or hitting ‘Send’ on an email to your dream agent.
Dare to believe you could look back through your manuscript with pride and satisfaction.
Learn the art of writing memoir
You are:
An emerging writer hoping to complete a memoir or work of creative non-fiction
Looking for guidance and inspiration on the best way to tell your story
Hoping to forge creative friendships with writing peers
Open to giving and receiving constructive feedback
Ready to take your writing to the next level
In need of support to get your book over the finish line
It’s time to reframe your own writing story and take yourself seriously. Call yourself a writer – and believe it.
Why join a writing course?
Whether you’re just starting out writing your book or you need some help finishing a project, my tailored online non-fiction writing programme offers practical, flexible, engaging ways to help your writing shine.
Joining a group programme can be a hugely enjoyable and rewarding experience. It’s also an investment in yourself as a writer, offering accountability as well as fun and inspiration. By showing up for the programme, you’re showing up for your work.
My teaching credentials
I have been teaching creative writing for over five years and have worked one-to-one with non-fiction and fiction writers to develop, hone and finish their projects for over ten years. I specialise in creative non-fiction – everything from memoir, biography and essays to autofiction.
My approach is encouraging, warm and positive – I know that writing can be tough, that facing a blank page can create all sorts of challenges and that finding time for your creative practice isn’t always easy. The programme is packed with tools, techniques, prompts, examples and thought-provoking ideas designed to get your creative juices flowing.
Together we will make sure your work is in the best possible shape and has the greatest chance of success.
“I learnt so much from Lulah in our online writing course. Lulah makes writing possible. The first workshop focused on ‘Illuminating the everyday’ through everyday objects and, like the following workshops, sparked reflection, writing and our sharing with and learning from each other and other writers carefully chosen by Lulah, and her own experience of life and writing. Lulah blends the free flowing with a carefully structured approach which helped and inspired me. Thank you”
Want to make 2023 the year you write your book? I can help.
Take your writing to the next level
Join my online writing community
“Working with Lulah pushed my writing to the next level. Her teaching is open and generous, her feedback clear and insightful. Lulah’s approach to writing is well thought out and uncluttered. She focuses on the essentials. Lulah has a steady guiding presence, both gentle and strong. I left her course with a valuable set of tools and a sense that my project is well worth pursuing.”
“Lulah is just marvellous. Whether you are just beginning to write and feel a bit trepidatious or you are in the midst of a project and need support and untangling. Lulah will help. She is an accomplished author who understands what it is like to be stuck, puzzled, overwhelmed and inspired. As an experienced writing tutor too, her writers toolbox of ideas, exercises and advice are excellent. Don’t hesitate. Email her now. ”
the ‘write your memoir’ programme
What it is
If you’re writing a memoir or creative non-fiction book, this course is designed for you.
Using a range of texts, writing tasks, inspiring prompts and focussed discussions I’ll guide you through different ways to bring your writing off the page and write a compelling narrative. We will explore some of the slippery, knotty aspects of memoir writing as well as developing skills to lift our words off the page and into a reader’s heart.
In the later sessions we focus on finding the right structure so that your book has a clear, engaging narrative arc and effectively braids together the themes and ideas you’re exploring.
We will share work as a group and there will be time at the end of each session for you all to talk together. Group size is capped at 10 to ensure I can give everyone sufficient time and energy.
You’ll finish the course with a clear way forward for writing your memoir, writing tools you’ll use forever and hopefully some lasting friendships and ongoing peer support.
All sessions are run online via Zoom.
what you’ll gain
8 x 2 hour workshops exploring different aspects of writing a memoir
An exploration of different issues and themes, including memory and imagination, using objects, writing place, exploring different viewpoints and writing about other people
You’ll define the ‘beating heart’ of your book
An insight into different structures
Techniques to shape your narrative
Support and encouragement from peers
The chance to share your work with others if you want to
Guidance from an experienced published author
Written feedback on a >3000 word piece of writing
dates
The programme starts on Wednesday 17th January from 6-8pm GMT and runs every week until 13th March, via Zoom.
Want to get started straight away? Check out my book coaching packages or get in touch to discuss how I can help.
investment
The programme costs £800.
I have found that the people who commit to a programme like this are more likely to see results. Of course, there are cheaper courses available, but they are often just impersonal video recordings that you work through on your own, or email workshops that aren’t tailored for your individual needs.
With this course you get live, direct input from me, plus the chance to question, contribute and reflect in real-time. Clients who invest in their work get more back. They deliver writing for feedback, turn up for sessions and are accountable to themselves to finish the course.
The fee can be paid in instalments, by arrangement. I also have one subsidised place available for a writer in financial need - get in touch if you’d love to take the course but are experiencing financial hardship.
Why work with me?
I am a published author and share my own experiences of the writing and publishing process. I am also a qualified teacher and experienced book coach who understands the challenges and joys of writing - particularly memoir and creative non-fiction writing.
My sessions are inclusive, warm, collaborative and supportive. My approach is to help you develop your strengths and tease out your own wisdom about your work. I have an intuitive knack for finding the right structure or ‘hook’ for a story, and love nothing more than talking with emerging writers and established authors about how to progress their craft.
Previous clients have gone on to publication and have been short-listed for awards. Some continue to work with me after my courses as a 1-2-1 book coach. I also offer a specific non-fiction book proposal coaching package for writers who are ready to submit to agents. So once the programme is finished I can continue supporting you to get your book out into the world.
Whether your goal is to be traditionally published, self-publish, explore your creativity or just commit to creating structured time for writing, I can help.
“I recently took part in Lulah’s online bootcamp and can’t rate it highly enough. Each day focused on a different aspect of writing with Lulah talking us through it, giving us writing exercises to build our confidence as well as making time for discussion and reflection. I’ve come away feeling much more clued up about the things I can attend to in order to improve my writing project but even more importantly with a newfound confidence in my ability to do so.”
“Lulah Ellender brings bag loads of energy to the class. I can almost see her shrugging a shoulder and saying, ‘Why not, give it a go?’ to yet another idea. But it’s not a wild, go out there and do anything you like type of ‘give it a go’, it’s uttered from an experienced writer who encourages you to experiment and play around then create out of the jumble of words thrown down. She brings fun to the work and a lot of her own story about being a writer. Why she writes, what she writes and how she plans and writes.”
“I highly recommend Lulah Ellender as a writing teacher or coach. She taught me to strengthen my writing skills with improved techniques and critical reading. And inspiring creativity on gloomy days. ”
Not sure if this programme is right for you? Book a free 20-minute consultation call with me so we can talk things through.