Final Stretch

Madison Magazine and I have teamed up to offer one lucky reader the chance to see his or her life story become a book. To  submit a 500-word autobiographical sketch by October 31, 2012.

After we pick a winner, what happens next? When I work with my clients as a writing partner, we begin with discussion. This includes the scope of the project (a memoir of one phase of life or a full autobiography?), a timeline and a budget. Our lucky contest winner doesn’t have to worry about the budget, but the scope and timeline are still the starting point.

Here’s how our process will work:

1. You choose the scope of your memoir, based on your winning essay and your time available to the project.

2. You enjoy up to four writing-partner sessions, in which I guide you to remember compelling details and tell your story with drama. You get my additional support by phone and email.

3. We choose photos and other memorabilia to go in your book.

4. I take care of copy-editing, layout, proofing and printing.

5. We plan a party to celebrate completion of your memoir. You receive two presentation-quality bound volumes. Who would you invite to celebrate the gift of your memoir?

In my next post I’ll tell you how to get started writing your memoir. Even if you’re not the winner of this contest, why not start writing down the stories of your life?

Sarah White is the founder of First Person Productions.