What’s Your Story?
Guided Autobiography
We all have a personal story worth sharing. Even if you have never left your hometown, you have taken forks in the road that have made your journey unique. Your Life Story is as individual as sea glass and just as collectible. It all begins with you. Writing your memoir helps you to identify the threads and themes in your life and make sense of what you’ve lived.Some of us may wish to leave a legacy, a recorded history for future generations.
Write Your Memoir
We all have our reasons for wanting to write our story. You may want to leave a legacy for your children or grandchildren. Stories for those not yet born, but left behind so they will know you intimately long after you are gone. Some of you are going through a transition, be that retirement or empty nesting. These life challenges make us seek a new direction, and a better sense of who we are, and where we are headed. Recalling and chronicling important milestones of your lives through the act of writing, and then sharing within the small intimate group setting is at the heart of the guided autobiography philosophy.
You may have started a memoir, but keep putting if off, or putting it down, finding it hard to kick start the idea on your own. Writing and sharing life stories with others is an ideal way to find new meaning in life and to put life events into perspective. Enlivened and empowered, you will feel a new sense of direction and a deeper appreciation for hearing stories that speak to the human frailty in us all. Do your best writing alone and with others, and cultivate new and lasting friendships and relationships.
KIND WORDS
“Leigh is an amazing teacher, with the ability to share her life experiences and wisdom with a cohort of older students. In six short weeks she was able to connect with each person in the class and to assist each one to deal with the issues they identified as being difficult for them at this time. Thanks to Leigh for an exceptional course!!
-Pat S
“Leigh was engaging, informative, and had thoughtful feedback for each submission. The course helped me to reflect and write about ideas and issues that I hadn't reflected on in such depth before.” - Renné V.
Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a structured approach that involves delving into one's life story with the guidance of a trained facilitator. It offers individuals an opportunity to deeply reflect on and chronicle significant life experiences, enabling them to gain valuable insight, perspective, and a richer understanding of their personal journey.
Collage Memoir
“Building a Story from Small Pieces”
In-Person at Leigh’s White Rock BC Canada Studio.
WEDNESDAYS
May 7th-June 11th 2025
A collaged approach to memoir composes a narrative through fragments and found items, building a story from many smaller pieces.
A collage memoir uses fragmented, non-linear storytelling, drawing from various sources like personal letters, photos, research, and fiction, art, artifacts, to create a unique and layered narrative of a life or experience.
Are you wondering how you can craft a memoir from life’s twists and turns?
Maybe you’ve been overwhelmed with the scope and don’t know where to begin. This class will guide you through a new way to write your story.
This is a beginner-level course designed for writers who are starting a memoir but are struggling with structure, daunted by form, or looking for an innovative way to tell their story. All materials are included.
The Wisdom Years
The Wisdom Years sold out in 30 minutes when I offered it 2024, at Simon Fraser University Continuing Education program! Spring 2025 registration opens April 16th.
The years after age 55 are often described as our “wisdom years,” yet many of us don’t feel sagacious or enlightened. We often ask ourselves, “What gives my life meaning and purpose?” “How can I reignite passion and align my life with matters most to me?” “What do I have left to do?” Through writing and sharing using the Guided Autobiography method, we’ll reflect on this period of our lives, focusing on six wisdom themes. We'll challenge assumptions about aging and create an actionable roadmap for the coming years to develop a renewed sense of purpose and legacy.
KIND WORDS
“MANY thanks to Leigh. I now have a new and better way to finish my wisdom years. I feel empowered- I feel optimistic.-A great experience!
- Susan R
Writing Salons
KIND WORDS
“Leigh Morrow magically created an environment that relaxed people enough to be vulnerable and share relevant feelings and experiences through their writings that transformed a group of strangers into trusted individuals. I was very sorry to see this class end.”
-Todd R
“This class made me think I could actually write about my history/experience, etc. The structure breaks topics into manageable pieces. You write each week, but not too much. Just enough to get you started and thinking about what else you could write about. The biggest surprise for me was how the weekly writing assignments prompted so many experiences, feelings, impressions that I hadn't thought of in years.”
— Patricia A.
Micro Memoir- one day Workshop
“Omission is a Form of Creation”
Creating the 100-word story is a great exercise for Guided Autobiography students to learn to tell the story by what's left out. In this workshop, we will learn how brevity creates a different narrative by telling a story with much omitted. This is an excellent exercise to make every word count, without the pressure of making every sentence perfect. The tiny story borders on poetry and teaches writers how to rip the epiphany out of memory.
Writing on home
Six-Week Course: Developing the Narratives of Home
”Home is where we all return”
One Day Guided Autobiography Workshop
An introduction to Guided Autobiography for students who are curious. This course is offered once a year in person. Check back for next session in 2025.
Kind Words
“GAB was a fantastic experience delivered in a supportive and engaging environment by compassionate and well-trained facilitators. The program encouraged me to reflect on my life, to put major experiences in perspective, and to succinctly and creatively write my legacy. Though I do not yet know when and how I will share my store, the process itself was a cathartic, healing, and inspirational journey!”
— Darlene S.“
MEET Leigh Morrow
Leigh Morrow
Certified GAB Trainer/ Facilitator
Decoupage Artist and Teacher
I consider my job as a GAB teacher, to be a complete privilege. Hearing my students narratives and helping them navigate through these memories is the greatest gift I could receive.
This is my IKIGAI, as I often tell my students.
I became certified by the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies in California 2017 to teach and train students in the guided autobiography method, and teach both in-person and online courses from several of my favourite places in the world. I serve as Vice President on the non-profit Board of Directors for The Birren Center. You can read more about the work the board does here.
Leigh is an amazing teacher, with the ability to share her life experiences and wisdom with a cohort of older students. In six short weeks she was able to connect with each person in the class and to assist each one to deal with the issues they identified as being difficult for them at this time. Thanks to Leigh for an exceptional course!! - Linn.T