How to Write Faster Without Writing Garbage: The Power of Structure in Memoir
Everyone seems to be rushing these days. We’re deep in the holiday season, calendars are overflowing, and if you’re in an interfaith household like mine, you’re doing double duty. Hanukkah has arrived, Christmas is right around the corner, and the to-do lists feel endless.
While life may be speeding up, there’s one thing I don’t want you to rush: your writing. But I do want to show you how you can write faster without sacrificing quality.
Not panic-writing. Not word-vomiting and calling it art. Not banging out 1,200 words only to reread them later and wonder, What in the name of Dear Diary is this?
I’m talking about writing faster with intention. Writing faster because you know where you’re going. Writing faster because you’re not reinventing the wheel every time you sit down.
Momentum doesn’t come from rushing your words.
It comes from clarity.
And memoir writers, especially, need structure—not to limit their voice, but to protect it.
Why Writing Feels Slow (and It’s Not What You Think)
Most writers assume they’re slow because they’re distracted, unmotivated, or undisciplined. That’s usually not true. If your writing feels slow, it’s more likely because:
You’re deciding what comes next every single day
You’re doubting whether a scene “belongs”
You’re writing in circles instead of forward
That constant decision-making is exhausting. It’s like driving cross-country without a map and wondering why you keep pulling over.
Structure removes friction, and friction is what drains your energy. When friction disappears, writing becomes more efficient—and yes, faster.
What Memoir Structure Really Is (and What It’s Not)
Let’s clear something up.
Memoir structure is not:
A rigid outline that kills creativity
A chronological list of events
A formula that turns your life into a cliché
Memoir structure is:
A clear narrative arc
Intentional scene placement
Knowing what your story is really about—not just what happened
That last point matters more than most writers realize.
We all have valid, layered, meaningful life experiences. But if we simply recount “you had to be there” moments without tying them together through a core theme, the result is an incoherent book.
Your reader is on a journey—and you are the tour guide.
There must be purpose behind the prose.
Structure is what gives your story direction.
The Three Questions Every Memoir Structure Must Answer
At minimum, a solid memoir structure answers these three questions:
Who is this story really about?
(Spoiler: it’s the version of you who is changing.)What is at stake emotionally?
How does the narrator transform by the end?
When you know the answers, scenes stop wandering. They start working. You’re no longer asking, Should I include this? You’re asking, Does this serve the story I’m telling? That single shift speeds everything up.
How Structure Helps You Write a Strong First Draft
You’ve probably heard this before: Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect.
That’s true—but don’t confuse “imperfect” with “messy.”
If we stopped after every sentence to correct and clarify, our books would never be written. The goal of a first draft is coherence, not perfection. And coherence comes from preparation.
Think of it like cooking a new recipe. You wouldn’t just throw ingredients into a pan and hope for the best. You’d:
Research the recipe
Read it through
Shop for ingredients
Measure them out
Gather your tools
Read the recipe again
That’s six steps before you turn on the burner.
That planning is what makes the meal successful. The same is true for your memoir.
How Structure Creates Writing Momentum
When you have a solid structure in place, you can:
Write scenes without stopping to second-guess
Leave placeholders instead of spiraling
Keep forward motion even on messy days
When you sit down knowing:
Where this chapter fits
What emotional beat it’s meant to hit
Why the reader needs this moment
Your brain isn’t juggling chaos.
Speed comes from trusting your story.
And trusting your story comes from structure.
Writing quickly doesn’t create sloppy work.
Writing without a plan does.
A Simple Way to Implement Structure in Your Memoir
If you’re nodding along and thinking, Yes, this is exactly what I’m missing, you’re going to love this.
I created the Memoir Blueprint Bundle for writers who don’t need more inspiration—you already have that—but do need a plan they can actually implement.
Right now, the bundle is on sale for $17 (marked down from $47) as my holiday gift to you and a way to help you set your writing intention for 2026.
Don’t let another year go by without writing your memoir.
Your story is too valuable.
Inside the Memoir Blueprint Bundle, you’ll find:
A Memoir Structure Template with a clear, step-by-step roadmap
A First Chapter Guide to help you start strong
A Self-Editing Checklist so you can revise with confidence
What this bundle truly gives you:
Clarity — no more staring at a blank page
Confidence — writing with purpose, not hope
Momentum — the kind that gets you to the finish line
This is for writers who are ready to stop circling their story and move it forward.
Final Thoughts: Writing Faster with Confidence
Writing faster isn’t about typing speed.
It’s about removing the obstacles between you and the story you already know you’re meant to tell.
Structure doesn’t cage your voice.
It frees it.
If you’re ready to write a first draft with shape, heart, and direction, grab my Memoir Blueprint Bundle for $17. And, if you’re looking for more support and a community of aspiring authors, I invite you to join my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors.
Remember: You don’t need to rush. You just need a roadmap.
And once you have one? The words tend to follow.
As always, I’m cheering you on. I believe in you, and in the power of your story to inspire, educate, and entertain.
Happy writing.