Amazon suggested this book on memoir writing. Write Your Story: A simple framework to understand yourself, your story, and your purpose in the world by Allison Fallon is a fairly short book, based on her writing seminars.

I listened to the audio version on Audible, primarily because I already had credits there and didn’t need to buy the book. Some audio books come with a nice PDF that includes images, footnotes, and other helpful information. Unfortunately, the author did not include such a PDF for Write Your Story.

Using the bookmark feature in Audible, I saved snippets to return to and take notes. I made my own hand out, which I have already shared with several friends.

Below is the typed version of my visual notes.

Framework

• What is your story about (controlling idea)
• The hook (opening line)
• Setting the anchor (the hero who wants something)
• Building tension (One Big Problem)
• Help for the hero (the guide)
• Path to resolution (struggle/relief)
• Closing the loops (hero’s transformation)
• The reason I’m telling you this (moral)

1-Sentence Summary

This story is about a hero who overcomes one big problem to experience resolution.

Tips

• Make internal struggles visible.
• Enter the story at the point of greatest possible tension.
• “Usually your childhood isn’t the place to enter the story” – but it can be part of the backstory if relevant.