Memoir Writing
WCWP-40200
Many of us have had fascinating lives, whether lived inwardly or outwardly, during childhood long ago or in the past decade. But when it comes to writing a memoir, where do we begin? The day of our birth? The day we left home? The beginning or end of a marriage? Memoir is most successful when it is not the "story of a life" but a focused part of that life: a dozen summers spent working on a grandfather's farm; a long relationship with a dying relative; the first year of law school. In this course, students will explore methods for planning and focusing on what their memoirs should be. By the end of this class, students will complete the first 20-30 pages of a book-length memoir.
By the end of this course, students will:
• Understand the different types of memoirs and their parts
• Understand the process of writing a memoir, including making an outline
• Be able to use the various literary techniques that enhance narrative and memoir writing
• Be able write the first 20-30 pages of their own memoir
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
The Art of Memoir 1st
by Mary Karr
ISBN / ASIN: 9780062223074
You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 4/11/2025
- 1st no meeting date: 5/26/2025
- Early Enrollment Discount: $525 ($550 if enrolled after 3/3/2025)
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Emily Vizzo, MFA
Emily Vizzo teaches Writers Workshop: Read and Critique and Memoir Writing for UC San Diego Extension's Creative Writing Certificate Program.
Emily is a writer and educator. She previously covered Congress for the Scripps Howard News Service in Washington, D.C., and has written about topics including the biotech industry, corporate social justice, surf, the arts, education, business, and health. Her essay, "A Personal History of Dirt," was honored as a notable essay in Best American Essays 2013, and she was selected for inclusion within Best New Poets 2015. Her first book of poetry, Giantess, is available for preorder from YesYes Books, and a debut novel is represented by Frances Goldin Literary Agency in New York. She translates poetry from both Spanish and Italian.
Emily actively volunteers to support environmental protections for California’s Central Coast, and serves as Artist in Residence for the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, an independent research affiliate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. A 2018 Coastal Fund grant recipient, her workshops link scientists, artists, and community members through writing. She was recently voted to the Executive Committee for the Surfrider Santa Barbara Chapter.
Why She Loves Teaching
“I love seeing each writer move toward their original voice, arriving at the stories they feel they need to share with the world. It’s powerful and inspiring to see. When the class comes together to uplift, challenge, and support one another, I know that I’m in the right place. Class becomes a place to be deeply vulnerable, and to share what might otherwise be a lonely journey. We’re not only learning and writing together, but feeling connected.”
Professional Summary
Emily has been teaching since 2005, including K12 schools, community writing workshops, guest lectures, and college and university-level instruction. She has expertise in both in-person and online education, including curriculum development and professional development.
Credentials
- MFA in Writing, Vermont College
- Teaching Credentials, San Diego State University
- B.A. in Political Science, University of California, San Diego
- Ongoing: National Geographic Educator Certification
