Some people think best with pen in hand. If that's you, this worksheet is designed to be printed, spread out on your kitchen table, and filled in one stage at a time — with a cup of coffee and no screen in sight.
Download the Worksheet
The worksheet is two pages. Page 1 covers Stages 1–5 (Acts I and early Act II). Page 2 covers Stages 6–10 (late Act II and Act III).
Preview
Page 1: Stages 1–5
Page 2: Stages 6–10
How to Use It
Step-by-Step
- Print both pages. Use landscape orientation for the best layout. Color or black-and-white both work.
- Start with the "What Happened" column. For each of the 10 stages, write 2–3 sentences about what happened externally. Don't overthink it — just get the facts down.
- Add the Inner Journey. For each stage, answer the three questions: Who did I think I was? Who was I really? What did I choose?
- Choose your scene structures. In the rightmost column, note which of the 12 scene structures (from Chapters 6–7) fits each stage.
- Pin it up. Tape the completed worksheets above your desk. They're your roadmap for the entire memoir.
Tip: Many writers find it helpful to fill in Stages 1, 5, 7, and 10 first — these are the anchors of your story (the beginning, the leap, the darkest moment, and the legacy). The stages in between often become clearer once you know those four.
Tip: Print extra copies. Your first pass won't be your last. As you write your memoir and memories surface, you'll want to revise your timeline. That's not a mistake — that's the process working.
The worksheet is intentionally simple. Ten stages. Three questions each. One column for scenes. Everything you need to plan a complete memoir — on two sheets of paper.