Do you have stories from your life that you know you want to capture, but have no idea where to begin?
Or do you think you don't have anything worth writing about, yet you sense there's SOMETHING yearning to be expressed?
I am delighted to invite you to join me and a cohort of 4 other aspiring writers for this guided 6-week workshop series on writing your stories and exploring mortality.
Together, we will delve into the stories of your past to share and process the lessons you’ve learned in a safe and supportive environment. By the end of our time together, you will have 10-12 pages of your own life stories and a new insight on how to live with purpose and meaning.
Record your life stories for yourself and for future generations.
Gain better understanding and clarity from your past that you can apply moving forward.
Create your meaning and connect the events of your past.
With guided autobiography, everyone can become a
storyteller.
People often say they have nothing “interesting” to say (who decided what interesting was, anyway?) but with the Guided Autobiography (or GAB) framework upon which Write Your Numbered Days is based, you will be guided to uncover stories that were formative in shaping who you are and who you are becoming.
Gain understanding.
Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a structured approach developed over 30 years ago by esteemed researcher and gerontologist, Dr. James E. Birren. GAB involves delving into your life story with the guidance of a trained facilitator, offering you an opportunity to deeply reflect on and chronicle significant life experiences, enabling you to gain valuable insight, perspective, and a richer understanding of your personal journey.
Bite-sized writing on big life themes.
During each session, participants will be provided with a new theme to write 800-1000 words (or 1-2 pages) that week. These themes are crafted with intention, aiding individuals in organizing their memories and narratives in a coherent manner.
Documenting life stories...and more.
The primary goal of Guided Autobiography goes beyond mere documentation of personal histories. It seeks to stimulate self-discovery, fortify resilience, and cultivate personal growth by delving into and comprehending one’s life narrative in a deeper and more meaningful way. Research conducted with pre-posttest assessments of Guided Autobiography (GAB) demonstrates that participants show improvements in self-acceptance, reduced anxiety, increased energy, a more positive outlook, and enhanced connections with others.
What You Receive:
(1.5 hour sessions every Monday evening), max. 6 people
During our live sessions, I will guide you and the other writers in our cohort through key themes designed to help you delve into your memories and uncover the stories within.
These themes include:
- branching points
- family
- death/dying
- grief
- spirituality
- legacy
Our sessions will consist of a short lecture (it won’t be boring, I promise!) packed with writing tips, prompts, and creative writing exercises.
Some of these prompts may include questions such as:
Each class session devotes a full hour to the listening and sharing of each other’s stories with time for positive and encouraging feedback built in. Please come prepared each week to share your 700-900 words on the assigned topic.
Each week, I will provide you with student handouts for you to gain inspiration from the plentiful writing prompts, all crafted to spark your memories around a certain theme.
Attendance is not required, but we will hold a final (7th) session for goodbyes and integration. During this session, you can ask any final questions or gain clarification moving forward with publishing or sharing your new collection of life stories.
Your tuition for this course automatically entitles you to a 1:1 session with me (optional). During your session, you can get detailed feedback on one of your stories, or I can walk you through self-publication options.
Alternatively, we don’t need to talk about writing at all! Maybe you would rather meet with me in a death doula capacity. We could explore the “living fully” prompts I will be providing you throughout the course. Or we could have a casual chat about all things death, dying, and grief.
It’s your time. It’s up to you.
By the end of this course, you will have created a priceless legacy keepsake: 10-12 pages of your life’s stories. You can share these with a friend or a partner (or a therapist!). You can refine them into a collection to self-publish. Or you can simply hold onto these stories in private, knowing that you have the peace of mind that a slice of your life’s story has been recorded.
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."
Maya Angelou
Tell stories that clarify your values, illuminate your past, and leave your unique legacy.
Imagine this...
Fast forward six weeks into the future. Our course is over. You are buzzing with excitement over your stories; stories you didn’t know were in there, stories you didn’t think were unique enough to share.
You have stepped into your power. You’ve gained hindsight and clarity. You’re proud of the choices you made, and you are learning to integrate the less-than-great stories into the larger whole of your life’s narrative.
You are able to look back with self-compassion, understanding, and clarity, knowing you did the best you could.
And more, you feel a renewed sense of appreciation and respect for some of the choices you made, bolstered by the support of your writing cohort who witnessed your stories each week.
Don't delay! There are only 5 spaces per cohort!
Writing Your Numbered Days
A beginner's guided autobiography workshop series
$
150
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June-July, 2025 (Dates to be announced)
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6 live Zoom sessions held each Monday evening
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Writing prompts, supportive community, and the opportunity to craft your legacy
Please note: this is the only time this course will be offered at this rate. The fee will increase for the next round, so if you’re on the fence about joining, reach out to me to discuss any fears.
**Payment plans available.
I'm Niki, your storytelling guide and certified instructor.
You have interesting stories to share. Let's explore them together.
I have always been fascinated by people and their stories. Even and perhaps especially those who claim they’ve lived “ordinary, boring lives.”
As a death doula, I’ve seen firsthand the beauty in the mundane, the sublime in the ordinary. Each person has a unique life and perspective, and so, each life is a fantastic story worthy of being told.
I am proud to be certified as a Guided Autobiography instructor through The Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies. Having gone through the GAB process myself, I know this process takes a fair amount of courage.
And I know the rewards reaped are sweet: the fruit of self-discovery, of personal satisfaction, and the inner knowing of who you want to continue to become.
It would be an honor to be a part of this storytelling process with you.
Benefits to Telling Your Story
- Understand and integrate the events of your life to better inform your future
- Create a tangible piece of your living legacy and a keepsake for yourself and your loved ones
- Experience increased self-esteem
- Decreased anxiety
- Grow your creative writing skills
- Record and pass on your hard-earned wisdom and life lessons
- Meet a dedicated community of storytellers
- Gently engage with the concepts of death and your own mortality as a way to learn to live a more vibrant, authentic life
FAQs
- 6 weekly small cohort sessions that include flash writing prompts, activities, a short lecture, and time to share your stories
- Prompts in between classes to guide you in integrating mortality contemplation into your writing
- Optional 1:1 call with me to ask any questions you may have and/or gather feedback for your writing
- Final call for integration
- Your completed stories, ready to share with family and loved ones or polish and refine into your full memoirs
Yes! This course is tailored to beginners – no writing experience necessary. I will guide you with evocative prompts and questions to help you mine your memory and write your stories; they don’t need to be perfect!
You may share as much or as little as you like. Please note that for you to experience all the benefits of this course, you must share something – a minimum of 800 words, or 1-2 pages. But what goes into that word count is totally up to you and your comfort level.
Many participants find that they become more willing to share deeply as the class progresses and comfort and rapport is established among the cohort.
No, this is not therapy, nor is it a substitute for clinical mental health counseling. Some people find the class to be therapeutic (see Benefits section) but this is not necessarily the same as mental health treatment.
If finances are a barrier to entry, yes, you may split your payment into 2 installments.
Feel free to send me an email at [email protected].