TANJAPAJEVIC.COM
Memoir Mastery
A Step-by-Step Program to Create a Compelling Memoir (and Empower Yourself in the Process)
What if there was an easier way to write your memoir?
One that felt good. Aligned.
By the time they find me, many of my clients are confused or discouraged.
Some don't know where to start.
Others are stuck or overwhelmed.
Many have been shut down by misguided workshop feedback, while others are hesitant to re-engage with the traumatic events in their writing.
And yet, they're not ready to give up. That memoir is still calling them.
They're ready to share their wisdom with the world, but they're not sure how to move forward. How to reignite their vision.
I'm here to help.
Because there’s someone out there – right now – who needs your wisdom.
Someone who is waiting for it.
That's why I created Memoir Mastery.
Because I don't want you to struggle alone.
There's an easier way.
In this program you will:
- Learn how to create a compelling memoir that others want to read.
- Discern what belongs in your memoir and what doesn’t.
- Create a structure that aligns with YOUR vision.
- Map out that memoir’s structure.
You’ll also:
- Learn mind and body tools to create safety and support for yourself as you’re writing.
- Gain valuable insights by seeing others work through and correct the same mistakes you’ve struggling with.
- Immerse yourself in a safe and supportive community of writers who care.
- Get support from a writer and teacher deeply experienced in navigating trauma, writing and grief.
Memoir Mastery will teach you what most writing classes won't.
Because writing a full-length book is a completely different process than writing a shorter piece.
And there are a lot of moving parts to writing a memoir that people actually want to read.
That's why I created this program.
I want to show you how to create a compelling memoir that people will want to read.
We'll start by helping you build a powerful foundation for your memoir.
From there, we'll show you how to map out your memoir -- ALL of it.
We'll take the guesswork out of it, so you know exactly what you need to write (or revise) next.
And we'll do it while staying true to YOUR vision for your book, not mine or anyone else's.
Plus, I'll teach you my best mind, body and spirit tools to support yourself as you write.
Because if you're working with challenging personal material, it's essential you stay grounded, healthy and whole while you're writing.
These are the tools you need to reach the finish line.
About Tanja Pajevic, Your Guide
Hi, I'm Tanja, a writer and memoir book coach with 20+ years of teaching experience, and 30 years of writing experience. Memoir Mastery is the best of everything I've learned during those years -- it's the system I use myself.
As the daughter of immigrants, it took me years to see my experience mirrored in the books I was reading.
As a memoir book coach, I'm passionate about bringing more voices to the table.
Your story matters!
Here's My Official Bio:
The author of The Secret Life of Grief: A Memoir and 9 Steps to Heal Your Resentment and Reboot Your Marriage, Tanja is on the faculty of Lighthouse Writers Workshop and has taught creative writing and professional writing at the University of Colorado Denver, the Community College of Denver and Indiana University, where she earned her M.F.A.
Tanja’s memoir The Secret Life of Grief: A Memoir received the Nautilus Silver Book Award, an award honoring “books that inspire and connect our lives as individuals, communities, and global citizens.” Tanja is the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, Hemingway Fellowship, and a faculty award from CU Denver for her project “Writing as Healing.” She lives in Boulder, CO, with her family.
How Memoir Mastery Works
Strategic Support Aligned with Your Vision and Goals
Memoir Mastery is a unique blend of strategic support based on YOUR vision for your memoir and aligned with YOUR goals. And it's all grounded in mind and body tools to ensure you stay healthy and whole so you can reach the finish line.
Each cohort is limited to 8 writers to ensure you get plenty of hands-on support.
Once those seats have been taken, registration closes.
The Program Includes:
Memoir Mastery is a hybrid program with a mix of recorded videos and live calls.
7 online modules broken into bite-sized steps, with video trainings and supporting PDFs accessible to you for the lifetime of the program.
9 live group coaching calls (we'll meet on Zoom, and all calls will be recorded in case you're unable to make it).
Private community for Q&A, support and accountability.
Plus Bonuses to Ensure Your Success
Plus a bonus training addressing common concerns we face when writing about our lives, such as "What will my family think?" and "Can so-and-so sue me? "
Plus a bonus training to help you set up a writing schedule that works for your real, full, human-scale life (instead of some idealized version of yourself).
Plus, a special bonus for my January cohort:
If you join the January cohort, you'll receive 50% off of my accountability group to ensure you complete your memoir. This 6-month group runs at $49/month but will be yours for only $24.50/month.
Praise
"Tanja and her Memoir Mastery program have helped, in a profound way, guide me in structuring my memoir writing and teaching me to use my experiences to clearly describe my personal transformation during my Peace Corps experience."
Larry Janicki
"This amazing course has given me the courage and inspiration to get on with my memoir. The whole set up is unique, especially since there are videos for each segment (which you can review for 2 years) and then you get to ask questions in a group setting for each module. The use of wonderful examples from other memoirs, got me steeped in the literature. Tanja is a wonderful teacher!"
AMH
"Tanja Pajevic's Memoir Mastery course has been a life changing experience for me. It has given me the tools, advice, instruction and inspiration to continue writing my memoir. Because Tanja is a true master, her teaching style is fun, comprehensive, intuitive, supportive and highly creative. Not to mention, she is a stellar human being and award winning author. If you have ever dreamed of writing a memoir, you have found your expert guide in Tanja. I highly recommend Tanja Pajevic and her wonderful Memoir Mastery Course!"
"I'm so glad I found the course! It was worth every penny!
Thank you."
"Thank you so much for this wonderful class! It has not only helped me shape my story and helped me to see in my mind's eye how it will unfold, but it has really motivated me to get it written and out there. I really needed both the instruction and the motivational push to do it. Thank you!"
Sandi Phinney York
"Tanja Pajevic’s Memoir Mastery has my highest recommendation. I’ve taken a wide variety of writing workshops over the past decade; this is the only workshop that has actually taught me how to compile my written material into a compelling book. Every step of the way, Tanja provides a clear and concise road map within a supportive setting, utilizing a wide variety of instructional materials. She provides examples and feedback to show what belongs (or doesn’t!) within a story, where it best serves the story and why, as well as opening a discussion into what might still be missing, and whether the narrative arc moves the story forward appropriately - in whatever form that narrative arc might take. Truly, this has been the most helpful writing workshop I’ve ever taken."
Karen Terrell
"Thank you! I was so alone as a writer - the community and having a place to ask questions of other writers (not just friends and family) was so helpful. Your input and experience was so valuable. I'm so glad I found the course!"
"I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge, experience and skills with us. I think you did a fantastic job with the videos too ... Really well done. I'm so glad I took this course. Thank you."
"Tanja’s class was so incredibly helpful. The exercises helped me to get focused and clear on my mission, purpose, and the relevance of each scene I am considering for inclusion in my memoir. She addressed challenges and solutions (such as the inner critic and the inner mentor) clearly and in a helpful manner in her short, concise, and incredibly helpful videos. I love her direct, “real,” human-to-human approach, and her compassion with sensitive information. Her ability to meet us “where we are” was a true gift. I highly recommend any of her classes." Michele Bourgeois
How This Program is Different
The reality is that most writing workshops aren't designed to help you write a full-length book. And while they’re certainly helpful if you’re looking for feedback on 20-40 pages, an 8-week workshop won’t teach you book structure, much less offer the additional support you’ll need to get to the finish line.
How many writing workshops have you taken, hoping something will change? How much time and money have you sunk into efforts that didn't get you any closer to the finish line?
Friend, I've been there! I've even taught those workshops. It's one of the main reasons I created this program. Because I knew there was a better way.
The book programs that do exist are pricey. For example, some literary outlets offer 2-year book programs that run between $7000-$16,000. Getting your MFA, meanwhile, will cost between $24,000 to $73,000 (and MFA programs aren't even designed to help you write a book!).
I don’t think you should have to spend that amount of time or money if you want to write a book. Memoir Mastery is offered at a much lower price because I want to make this as affordable to as many folks as I can.
A big part of my mission is to empower women and help them reclaim their story. Full stop.
If this feels like a good fit, I invite you to join us.
The promise of this program:
In this program, you will create a strong foundation for a compelling memoir that people want to read. You’ll map out your memoir’s structure, then leave with a clear set of next steps so you know exactly what you need to write or revise to reach the finish line. And you’ll learn the mind and body tools to get there.
This program is for you whether you're just starting out or are stuck in the messy middle. It's the best of everything I've learned in my 20+ years of teaching and 30 years of writing, and is the system I use myself.
Learn how to create a compelling memoir with a small group of kind and supportive writers invested in your success.
In this program you will:
- Learn how to create a compelling memoir that others want to read.
- Discern what belongs in your memoir and what doesn’t.
- Create a structure that aligns with YOUR vision.
- Map out that memoir’s structure.
You’ll also:
- Learn mind and body tools to create safety and support for yourself as you’re writing.
- Gain valuable insights by seeing others work through and correct the same mistakes you’ve struggling with.
- Immerse yourself in a safe and supportive community of writers who care.
- Get support from a writer and teacher deeply experienced in navigating trauma, writing and grief. I’ve got your back.
- Get support from people who will inspire and lift you up.
At the end of this program you will:
- Leave with a map of your memoir. You’ll have built a strong foundation for a memoir people want to read and will have a clear set of next steps so that you know exactly what you need to write or revise in order to finish your memoir.
- Have the mind and body tools to get there.
Who should take this program:
- Folks who will show up for themselves and their fellow writers.
- Those who truly want to get their memoir done.
- This program will be most effective for those who have a growth mindset and are open to exploration and change (rather than a fixed mindset, which tends to keep folks stuck and defensive.)
We're doing this work together, in a kind and supportive community.
You don't need to go it alone.
If you're interested in Memoir Mastery, please join the priority waitlist below.
You'll be the first to know when registration for the next cohort opens.
Each cohort is limited to 8 writers.
Once those seats fill up, registration closes.
Pay in full
OR over 3 months
You'll receive:
All video training
All supporting PDFs and downloads
Private community for Q&A and support
9 live group coaching calls
All bonuses
What You'll Learn
Module 1: The Big Picture
In this module, we’ll dive into the heart of your story, ensure you’re off to a strong start and help you lay down the foundation for a successful book.
We’ll also address safety and self-care—keys to reaching the finish line.
Module 2: Crystallizing Your Vision
In this module, we'll narrow your memoir's scope and show you how to create a pathway of discovery for your reader. We'll create your book's mission statement, then show you how to organize your materials for maximum efficiency. And we'll continue to deepen our learning around safety and self-care.
Module 3: Building Your Foundation
In this module, I’ll teach you simple tools for identifying key scenes you’ll need to include, then show you how to fill them out. Because if your reader doesn't keep turning the pages, you've lost your chance at making an impact!
We'll also lead you through a visualization to tap into your own wisdom--so you can follow the path that’s right for you.
Module 4: Engaging Your Reader
In this module, we’ll dive into your impact as narrator. We’ll discuss perspective, wisdom and reflective voice, showing you how, when, where and why to use it, citing examples from contemporary books to deepen your learning. We'll also do a deep dive into the take-aways you want to impart for your reader.
Module 5: Pacing, Backstory & Flashback
In this module, we'll show you how and where to weave in backstory and flashback so that you don't lose your reader. We'll also discuss pacing and why it's so important. And we'll ground it all in examples from contemporary memoirs, so that you can learn from those who've gone before.
Module 6: Charting Your Reader's Compelling Journey
This module is the heart of our work together: we'll spend two weeks plotting out your memoir's scenes in order to ensure you've created a compelling journey for your reader. You'll walk away from these exercises knowing exactly what you need to write next (or revise) in order to complete a compelling memoir your reader wants to read.
Structure, safety and support is the fastest and most enjoyable path to writing a memoir that your reader can’t put down.
It's taken me years to craft this system. Here's why structure, safety and support matters:
Writing your way into the story can help you get started, but in the long run, it’ll cost you unnecessary time, money and frustration. Memoirs written this way often need to be rewritten.
I can't tell you how many times I've been hired to review a manuscript by someone who felt their book was essentially done, only to have to tell them that their book had structural problems. It's heartbreaking -- for both of us!
That's why creating the right structure for your book is so important -- it'll make the writing and editing process so much easier.
Safety and self-care, meanwhile, are what will help you reach the finish line.
Because when you don't support your mind and body as you're writing, you can inadvertently retraumatize yourself (which can show up as procrastination or an all-too-active inner critic).
Some folks get trapped in an endless start-stop cycle. Others walk away from their writing for months at a time.
I don't want your book to be trapped on your computer. Let's help you get it into the world, so that it can help someone.
Why this work matters
Writing The Secret Life of Grief has been a life-changing experience for me. It's opened up so many personal and professional possibilities as well as allowed me to step into a more empowered sense of self.
That's one of the primary reasons I do this work. I want to help empower others.
Writing memoir can be particularly challenging, though, especially for folks who are working with sensitive material.
After having struggled for years to write a book that's aligned with my vision AND stay healthy, happy and whole while writing it, I want to share what I've learned with you.
There really is an easier way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Memoir Mastery is for those who are starting their memoir, are stuck in the messy middle or are looking to strengthen or reengage with their materials.
This offering is for those who are willing to show up, be present, and support themselves and their fellow writers (even if you don't feel comfortable calling yourself a writer yet!).
Although I'm here to guide you, I don’t have all the answers. This program will be most effective for those who have a growth mindset and are open to inspiration, exploration and change (rather than a fixed mindset, which tends to keep folks stuck and defensive.) Writing memoir is sacred work, and the process often includes everything from play and exploration to tears and laughter.
This isn't the program for you if you're looking for a generative writing course. Although we have exercises designed to pinpoint the heart of your story, the bulk of our time will not be devoted to writing prompts and free writes.
This program also isn't for you if you're looking for a magic bullet or assurance your memoir will end up on The New York Times Bestseller list.
Memoir Mastery is a hybrid offering, with a mix of live and recorded elements. The teachings will be available to you in video, audio and PDF format in our private learning platform. Each week, you'll receive a new module with exercises to help you build and structure your memoir.
Then we'll meet on a live Zoom call each week in order to work through your book's logistics and challenges in real time. If you're unable to join us live, you can always send me your question in advance. All calls will be recorded and available to you within 24 hours.
Our focus in this program is on the deep, structural work of building a compelling memoir. It's essential that we start there before editing pages. Giving and getting manuscript feedback too early in the process only leads to additional work and frustration, as does trying to do them both at the same time. As such, we don't review pages in this program.
However, I understand that's an important part of the process for folks. If you would like my feedback on your pages, I offer a 50-page manuscript review at the end of our time together for a discounted rate. Please contact me directly for availability and more information: info@tanjapajevic.com
Each cohort is limited to 8 writers. Once those seats fill, registration closes.
I intentionally keep these groups small so that everyone will have a hands-on experience.
I offer 6-month accountability and mastermind groups to help you finish your memoir.
Memoir Mastery program is a pre-requisite.
I wholeheartedly believe in the value of this program. However, your success in this program also depends on your willingness to show up and engage with the materials.
As such, if you join the program, show up to every live session, do the exercises, submit your completed materials and worksheets, and still feel like you haven't made progress with your memoir, you'll receive a full refund. Requests must be submitted within 5 days of the completion of the program.
This is meant to help encourage you to make a clear-eyed decision vs. hoping for a magic bullet. Part of our work together will be to create a safe container for ourselves and our projects, so please consider your commitment level before registering.
*Note: it's common for fear to arise when we consider committing (or recommitting) to our memoir. If you're unsure whether or not this offering is for you, take a few minutes to check in with your inner wisdom.
Although I offer trauma-informed teachings to help make this a safe process, I’m a writer and teacher, not a trained therapist.
If you find yourself needing additional support during our time together, please reach out to a therapist or other trained professional.
Yes, of course!You can figure it out on your own through trial and error, learning from others as you go. That's what I did for years.
You can also ask for help. You can work with an expert who can teach you what you don't know, and be supported by someone who's committed to your success.
There's no perfect way. What matters is that you tell your story!
If Memoir Mastery feels like the right fit, I'd be honored to be your guide.
If you have any additional questions, please me at info@tanjapajevic.com and I'll get back to you within 48 business hours.
If this calls to you, please join us.
© Tanja Pajevic, Inc.