Camp Structure: Thirteen Weeks to Find and Refine Your Memoir’s Narrative Arc

You’ve written a few drafts of your memoir. The project finally looks like a story, but you’re not sure what story you’re trying to tell. Or maybe you know the story you want to write, but the best structure still eludes you. 

You’ve read a bunch of books, taken webinars, and moved a few things around, but every time you share the draft with beta readers, they smile blandly or say, “meh.” Perhaps you’ve received competing advice from agents and editors. One wants a little more of something, the other wants a whole lot less. You want to make the right decision, but WHO DO YOU TRUST? 

You don’t need more feedback on the pages you’ve written. You need targeted strategies that can help you develop a bird’s eye view of your book so you can finally see the story—and as a result the best structure—for your memoir.  

You also need tools that can help you shift things around without hacking your book to pieces.

Introducing…

Camp Structure: Thirteen Weeks to Define and Refine your Memoir’s Structure 

During this intensive program, you’ll work with a small group of writers who have the same structure goals. Together, you’ll learn how Beat Sheets, Synopses, a Misperception Matrix, Backward Outline, and Chapter Summaries can work together to help you identify and refine the structure for your book.

Learn the skills that will help you nail your memoir’s narrative arc, and make it easier to write the next one.

Let me know when the next class opens

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Testimonials

Dr Heidi Kharbhih

“Lisa’s Camp Structure Group Coaching helped me find the universal arc for my story. My memoir transformed in a matter of weeks from a bunch of chronological scenes to a powerful whole.”
Writer, Speaker, Intuitive Reader, Coach and Meditator

Andrea Lankford

“A story structure guru, Lisa’s feedback is brilliant and her workshops come with loads of valuable supplemental material. I highly recommend Lisa’s courses for writers of every experience level”
Author of Ranger Confidential: Living Working and Dying in the National Parks

Janine de Boisblanc

“Lisa’s ability to examine story arc in what seems like an instant is truly remarkable. With her insight and expert ability to look at structure through many lenses, I finally see a route forward with my work. Lisa not only fosters your growth as a writer and critical thinker, she also looks out for your heart and spirit. I am beyond grateful for the experience.”
Writer and Writing Instructor

Laurie Riedman

“The materials presented are essential for any author regardless of genre. I especially appreciated how Lisa gently encouraged us to stretch and look at things we hadn’t considered before. The course was rich in material that I know I will return to again and again. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this class and Lisa as a coach, teacher, and writing guide.”
Writer and Coach

Program Perks

Lifetime Video Content

Learn specific skills at your own pace and then use the templates as a guide to develop your work.

Group Coaching and Evaluations

Receive targeted feedback on your project and your process as part of a dynamic, supportive group.

Accountability

Regular peerspiration sessions will not only hold you accountable, they’ll inspire you to up your writing game.

How does this program work?

The program is divided into two segments that leverage the power of mentorship, accountability and peer-spiration (that’s peer pressure + inspiration) to help make your success inevitable. During the live coaching segment, you’ll receive instruction on issues pertaining to structure, participate in structure workshops, and get your questions answered. During the program’s biweekly “peerspiration” sessions, you’ll sit side-by-virtual-side with fellow writers, share your goals, and work on your own project. (Trust me, you’ll get SO much done!)

During our time together, you’ll get:

• Lifetime access to video modules that will help you understand the key concepts you’ll need to master
• Seven two-hour group coaching sessions, including hot seats, workshops of your project, progress reports, group guidance, and strategic advice from Yours Truly
• Five two-hour peer-spiration sessions where you’ll sit side-by-virtual-side with fellow writers, share your goals, and work on your own project (Trust me, you’ll get SO much done!)
• Written feedback on your beat sheet, synopsis, misperception matrix and a portion of your chapter summaries
• Unlimited email access to me
• Membership in a cohort of motivated, talented writers who will support your success

Who is a good fit for this program?

• This is an intermediate level program best suited for writers who’ve worked through several drafts of their books
• Writers should have a general sense of what their book is about and understand the fundamentals of storytelling

Wondering if that’s you? 

“Lisa Ellison’s Camp structure workshop blew my mind! The class content is comprehensive and makes you see your book in a whole new light. I had read and rearranged my manuscript several times; but in Lisa’s class I learned specific techniques that allowed me to read my words with new eyes and make changes that strategically made the story much stronger.”

Kelly Merrill

Writer from Tennessee

This is an investment in your book and your writing career.

By the end of our time together…

• you’ll know what story you want to tell,
• understand what success means to you,
• have a clear vision for your book,
• know how to execute it.

When you receive future feedback, you’ll know what serves your story and what to ignore. Best of all, you’ll have confidence in your ability to finish this memoir and have the skills to work efficiently on future books. 

This is an investment in you and your success. As a part of this group, you’ll receive a comprehensive workbook, access to lifetime video instruction, and world-class coaching that will take your project to the next level.

And some benefits of this program, like membership in a cohort, are priceless.

Have a few questions?

Check out the program FAQs

Program Cost

*Five payment plans are also available upon request.

“If you are lucky enough to take Lisa’s class, hang onto your hat. You and your story are about to be transformed.”

Margaret Haupt

Writer from Virginia

“Lisa’s supportive demeanor and well thought out lessons on various ways to understand memoir structure helped me re-think my project in entirely new ways. After a leap of understanding I found through her workshop, I’m now ready to push forward to much more coherent drafts. The end is in sight!”

Debi McCarthy

Writer from Sacramento