Start Where You Are
A 90-Minute Introduction to Memoir
Are you ready to write your memoir?
How do you get started?
And what do you do next?
Or maybe you've been writing for years.
Working and reworking your memoir, with no clear progress.
Stopping and starting have only gotten you so far.
Same with white-knuckling your way through.
Workshops and writing groups have been helpful, but not as helpful as you'd hoped.
You're still not close to having a finished memoir.
I get it! And it's not your fault.
Most writing classes teach you how to write shorter pieces.
But writing a full-length book is a completely different process.
And memoir can be even more challenging because of its personal nature.
If you don't support your mind, body and soul as you're writing, it'll be 10x more difficult.
I know because I've been there. And it's why I center safety and self-care in all my offerings.
Because I want to show you how to create a compelling memoir while staying healthy, happy and whole.
Structure is also important.
Clarifying the big picture of your memoir before you start writing (or if you're stuck in the middle) will save you oodles of time, money, energy and frustration.
These are lessons I've learned the hard way.
I want to save you from that frustration.
There really is an easier way!
In this 90-minute workshop, I'll teach you how to create a strong foundation for a compelling memoir your people want to read. We'll ground our work in simple mind and body tools to create safety while writing. And we'll do it in a kind and supportive community, with clear and compassionate guidance.
Start Where You Are:
A 90-Minute Introduction to Memoir
In this workshop, you will:
1. Learn the 7 steps to writing a compelling memoir your reader wants to read.
2. Learn 4 essential components to staying healthy, whole and supported as you write.
3. Distill your memoir’s scope and learn how to shape your materials in a way that engages your reader.
4. Learn simple tools for supporting your mind, body and soul as you write.
5. Leave with clarity on your next steps.
Why I Created this Workshop
This workshop is the quickest and easiest way to cut through the muck in order to create a memoir that aligns with YOUR vision. After 25 years of teaching writing, I've boiled down the most important teachings you need to write your memoir.
This offering is for you if you're just starting out AND it's also for those who are stuck in the mucky middle. Why? Because even if you've taken a kazillion writing workshops, you're likely missing the strategic work that goes into creating a full-length memoir your people will want to read. I've worked with SO many folks who've gotten stuck here despite having put YEARS into their memoir.
Taking the time to clarify the big picture pieces makes the memoir-writing process SO much easier -- and will save you so much time, money and frustration. I created this system because it was what I had to learn for myself -- despite having an MFA and having taught creative writing for years -- and it still pisses me off that more folks aren't teaching this stuff!
My intent with this offering is to show you there's an easier way to get your story written. Because teaching memoir is heart work for me.
If I can help guide you, I'd be honored to have you join us.
Join us!
Start Where You Are:
A 90-Minute Introduction to Memoir
Thursday, July 30, 2026
12:00-1:30 pm MT/ 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET
We'll meet on Zoom
$33
As the daughter of immigrants, it took me years to see my experience mirrrored in the books I was reading.
As a memoir book coach, I'm passionate about bringing more voices to the table.
Your story matters!
About Your Instructor: Tanja Pajevic
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.” She is the recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, Hemingway Fellowship, and a faculty award from CU Denver for her project “Writing as Healing.”
Testimonials from Previous Students
"Thanks so much Tanja, for a truly fabulous, and powerfully helpful workshop!!!" --T.A.
"I think you created this directly for me. I’ve been vacillating on my book for months … sucking up all my energy. This helped me be brave and just decide already!" – Wendy K.
"I found your workshop very enlightening. It definitely clarified for me what the memoir genre involves & gave me steps to take so I can create my own & keep myself safe throughout the process."
"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!"
"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 York.
"I wanted to tell you how much I loved this class! It’s been so helpful in so many ways… It helped me identify the themes, the arc and other elements that all story telling have in common but this story felt overwhelming before the class, now it feels manageable." –Celeste Donohue
"There must be a better word than service to describe what Tanja Pajevic does for her clients. Tanja is a mentor, a teacher, a supporter, an enabler, as well as a remarkable writer. Her guidance and coaching ability have helped me to transform my writing, grow as an author, and fulfill lifelong dreams." –Benita Glickman
"[Tanja's] quick insights, organizational writing tools and experience as a teacher make her stand out as a writing coach. After looking for a person to help me for a while I found Tanja and she has been life changing! I feel like the book that I want to create is being born, rather than the book that I felt stuck with. I also appreciate her sensitive nature and ability to meet me where I am as I work through difficult material and trust my own self to bring my story to light." --Paige Doughty
"I am so grateful to work with Tanja ... She reignited a light in me that believes not only in achieving this project, but making it successful. Much gratitude for the brilliant support." —Patrice Bazile
Map Your Memoir
In this workshop, you will:
1. Learn the 7 steps to writing a compelling memoir your reader wants to read.
2. Learn 4 essential components to staying healthy, whole and supported as you write.
3. Distill your memoir’s scope and learn how to shape your materials in a way that engages your reader.
4. Learn simple tools for supporting your mind, body and soul as you write.
5. Leave with clarity on your next steps.
Join us!
Thursday, July 10, 2025
1:00 - 2:30 pm MT/ 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET
We'll meet on Zoom
$49
Writing a memoir may be one of the bravest -- and most profound -- things we ever do. The process allows us to revisit the most important events from our lives and mine for deeper meaning.
In doing so, we align with the deepest, truest part of ourselves.
That’s profound and sacred work.
It’s also what makes writing a memoir so scary.
That’s why it’s important we enter the memoir-writing process with intention and compassion.
A safe container and a kind, supportive community are also important.
Together, these elements form the foundation of my work.
This is for you if you're ready to get started on your memoir, are stuck in the messy middle or are trying to figure out how to get your memoir over the hump.
Map Your Memoir is for those looking to make the memoir-writing process easier and kinder. It's for anyone who's struggled to find clarity about their memoir. It's a good fit for those looking for kind, compassionate memoir support.
This offering is meant to help you get started, get unstuck and clarify how to move forward with your memoir. If you're interested in continuing support, I offer a 9-week Memoir Mastery program that builds on these concepts.
In the meantime, Map Your Memoir will give you the tools you need to get started. It will also give you a good sense of whether or not we're a good fit for continuing to work together.
This workshop isn't for mean people.
It's also not a good fit if you're needing someone to listen to what happened. That work is more appropriate for a therapist.
My offerings are safe and inclusive spaces meant to help writers (even if you don't consider yourself a writer yet!) move forward with their memoirs.
Yes! You'll receive the recording within 24 hours.
If this calls to you, but you're unable to join us live, I recommend still registering for the workshop -- you'll receive the recording the following day and can work through the exercises on your own. This is the most efficient (and low-cost) way for me to give you the tools you need to get started or get unstuck.
Over the years, I've found that simply committing to a course or program can bring up some fear or uncomfortable feelings. Please know that's completely normal.
Writing about challenging events from your life can trigger uncomfortable emotions -- that's why I place such a heavy emphasis on safety and self-care in all of my offerings.
Although I offer trauma-informed teachings, I'm a writer and teacher, not a therapist.
If you find yourself needing additional support at any point during the writing process, please reach out to a trained professional.
You can receive a refund up to 48 hours before the workshop, minus processing fees.
Please email me at info@tanjapajevic.com and I'll get back to you within 48 business hours.
If you can't make it live, sign up and you'll get the recording. A lot of times, though, those recordings just sit in our inbox. You'll get a lot more value if you show up live and engage with the exercises during our call.
© 2025 Tanja Pajevic
Tanja Pajevic
Writer | Memoir Book Coach
Contact
info@tanjapajevic.com
Map Your Memoir
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