Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most first-time memoirs don’t struggle because the writing is bad. They struggle because the structure is wrong.
In this video, I’m diagnosing the #1 structural mistake I see first-time memoir writers make that leaves their manuscript feeling "broken," "messy," or completely "stuck" in the middle.
If you’ve been focusing on perfecting your memoir but your story still isn't coming together, you likely have an invisible structural issue. We’re going under the hood to look at why your current outline (or lack thereof) is failing you and what you need to prioritize instead.
Stop guessing why your book isn't working and start understanding the architecture of a successful memoir.
---
🔗 **APPLY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING HERE**
howtowriteabookthatsells.com/developmental-editing
---
**Video Chapters:**
0:00 What Memoir Writers Assume The Problem Is
0:40 The Real Structural Mistake
1:00 Structural Exercise
1:10 Before/After
1:30 How This Shows Up In A Draft
1:46 What Memoir Structure Actually Requires
2:35 Why This Is Hard To Fix Alone
**📚 RESOURCES FOR WRITERS**
- **WATCH NEXT:** Why Most Memoirs Fail (and How to Make Yours Stand Out) youtu.be/04EHefmZTDY
- Related Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB32EQSANtzcE3oN7xW2OiaHBm0It6kc5
#memoirwriting #writingmistakes #bookstructure #firsttimewriter #writingtips #thelifeofawriter
------------------------------
☎️ WORK WITH ME: Apply for a free strategy session 👉🏾 howtowriteabookthatsells.com/writing-coach
Stefanie Newell is the go-to writing coach for the first-time writer looking for direction on writing, publishing, and marketing a non-fiction book. Her experience has paved the way for her to coach Hollywood film and television producer Madison Jones, Womeneur founder Sharon Beason, Grammy award-winning music producer S1, and hip hop artist, philanthropist, and politician Rhymefest!
------------------------------
*🎁 RESOURCES FOR YOUR BOOK 🎁*
📄 FREE AUTHOR CHECKLIST 📄
Learn the step-by-step strategy for writing your first book! write-one-publications-inc.kit.com/ba784a7f1a
------------------------------
*🔥 COACHING & SERVICES 🔥*
☎️ WORK WITH ME: Apply for a free strategy session 👉🏾 howtowriteabookthatsells.com/writing-coach
📑 DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING 👉🏾 howtowriteabookthatsells.com/developmental-editing
------------------------------
*📚 BOOKS & TEMPLATES 📚*
HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST BOOK: howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/how-to-write-your-first-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=htwyfb_paperback&utm_content=all_videos
Also available on Amazon: amazon.com/How-Write-Your-First-Book/dp/1540593487?maas=maas_adg_538EB8E863E6B7E6A0C1B4E2E5C366FA_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
WRITE THE DAMN BOOK: howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/write-the-damn-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=wtdb_paperback&utm_content=all_videos
THE AUTHOR’S JOURNAL: howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/the-authors-journal?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=authors_journal&utm_content=all_videos
MANUSCRIPT FORMAT AND OUTLINE TEMPLATES (GOOGLE DOCS AND WORD): howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/outline-format-templates?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=manuscript_template&utm_content=all_videos
------------------------------
*CONNECT WITH ME*
WEBSITE: HowToWriteABookThatSells.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thelifeofawriter
PERSONAL WEBSITE: stefanienewell.com
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: amazon.com/author/stefanienewell
MY FAVORITES (Amazon Shop): amazon.com/shop/thelifeofawriter
------------------------------
FOR BUSINESS & BOOKING INQUIRIES (INCLUDING SPONSORSHIPS)
howtowriteabookthatsells.com/contact
SUBSCRIBE NEW VIDEOS EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 10AM EST!
Most first-time memoirs don’t struggle because the writing is bad. They struggle because the structure is wrong.
In this video, I’m diagnosing the #1 structural mistake I see first-time memoir writers make that leaves their manuscript feeling "broken," "messy," or completely "stuck" in the middle.
If you’ve been focusing on perfecting your memoir but your story still isn't coming together, you likely have an invisible structural issue. We’re going under the hood to look at why your current outline (or lack thereof) is failing you and what you need to prioritize instead.
Stop guessing why your book isn't working and start understanding the architecture of a successful memoir.
---
🔗 **APPLY FOR DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING HERE**
howtowriteabookthatsells.com/developmental-editing
---
**Video Chapters:**
0:00 What Memoir Writers Assume The Problem Is
0:40 The Real Structural Mistake
1:00 Structural Exercise
1:10 Before/After
1:30 How This Shows Up In A Draft
1:46 What Memoir Structure Actually Requires
2:35 Why This Is Hard To Fix Alone
**📚 RESOURCES FOR WRITERS**
- **WATCH NEXT:** Why Most Memoirs Fail (and How to Make Yours Stand Out) youtu.be/04EHefmZTDY
- Related Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB32EQSANtzcE3oN7xW2OiaHBm0It6kc5
#memoirwriting #writingmistakes #bookstructure #firsttimewriter #writingtips #thelifeofawriter
------------------------------
☎️ WORK WITH ME: Apply for a free strategy session 👉🏾 howtowriteabookthatsells.com/writing-coach
Stefanie Newell is the go-to writing coach for the first-time writer looking for direction on writing, publishing, and marketing a non-fiction book. Her experience has paved the way for her to coach Hollywood film and television producer Madison Jones, Womeneur founder Sharon Beason, Grammy award-winning music producer S1, and hip hop artist, philanthropist, and politician Rhymefest!
------------------------------
*🎁 RESOURCES FOR YOUR BOOK 🎁*
📄 FREE AUTHOR CHECKLIST 📄
Learn the step-by-step strategy for writing your first book! write-one-publications-inc.kit.com/ba784a7f1a
------------------------------
*🔥 COACHING & SERVICES 🔥*
☎️ WORK WITH ME: Apply for a free strategy session 👉🏾 howtowriteabookthatsells.com/writing-coach
📑 DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING 👉🏾 howtowriteabookthatsells.com/developmental-editing
------------------------------
*📚 BOOKS & TEMPLATES 📚*
HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST BOOK: howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/how-to-write-your-first-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=htwyfb_paperback&utm_content=all_videos
Also available on Amazon: amazon.com/How-Write-Your-First-Book/dp/1540593487?maas=maas_adg_538EB8E863E6B7E6A0C1B4E2E5C366FA_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
WRITE THE DAMN BOOK: howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/write-the-damn-book?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=wtdb_paperback&utm_content=all_videos
THE AUTHOR’S JOURNAL: howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/the-authors-journal?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=authors_journal&utm_content=all_videos
MANUSCRIPT FORMAT AND OUTLINE TEMPLATES (GOOGLE DOCS AND WORD): howtowriteabook.samcart.com/products/outline-format-templates?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=manuscript_template&utm_content=all_videos
------------------------------
*CONNECT WITH ME*
WEBSITE: HowToWriteABookThatSells.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thelifeofawriter
PERSONAL WEBSITE: stefanienewell.com
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: amazon.com/author/stefanienewell
MY FAVORITES (Amazon Shop): amazon.com/shop/thelifeofawriter
------------------------------
FOR BUSINESS & BOOKING INQUIRIES (INCLUDING SPONSORSHIPS)
howtowriteabookthatsells.com/contact
SUBSCRIBE NEW VIDEOS EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 10AM EST!
