There are so many reasons to tell your story...
What's yours?
Gain perspective on your most important memories and experiences
Use self-discovery to help navigate through an important life change
Develop greater awareness around your self-narrative
Share your stories in a safe and benevolent space
Create a collection of stories to share with your loved ones
Learn new writing skills and develop your writer's voice
Get a head start on your memoir
Guided Autobiography Workshops & Retreats
Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a structured method that helps you explore your life stories with the support of a trained facilitator. Rather than looking at your life chronologically, we use themes to help you reflect deeply on your significant experiences, leading to valuable insights about yourself and a better understanding of your personal journey.
Workshops and retreats focus on life themes, like pivotal moments, family dynamics, career, health, and personal aspirations. You'll receive thought-provoking questions designed to spark memories and learn to write about your life two-pages at a time.
Victoria is an award-winning teacher and storyteller. She received her guided autobiography certification from the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies.
I am a writer, story coach, guided autobiography instructor, and recovering English professor.
I've been helping people make sense of their lives for over twenty years through the transformative practice of writing. I believe that remembering and retelling our experiences, first to ourselves and then to others, can help us develop greater self-awareness and find meaning. My retreats, workshops, and classes bring people together as they explore a lifetime of experiences through personal writing.
As a writer, I know it takes a lot of courage to tell your stories, and I am committed to making a safe place for every person who wants to explore their lives. I am also here for anyone who wants to write and preserve their stories for their loved ones. Your life matters and putting it into words is a beautiful way to leave a lasting legacy.
Personal Historians Northwest
Write Big: From College Application Essay to Storytelling Standout
Founder of Boxcar Writing Labs and Co-Founder of Mission Flow. Leadership Salem Graduate
Writing Professor
Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty
University of Portland
Masters Degree in English
Portland State University
The Moth Portland
A Day in Your Life
1-Day Retreat
Take a break from your day-to-day life and focus on your life's story.
In this one-day retreat, you'll gain wisdom and perspective on your life and tools for continuing to write after the retreat.
During the day, I'll guide you through reflective writing exercises, thought-provoking questions, and free-writing.
You'll have the opportunity to explore two significant life themes and share your stories in a supportive, small group.
Retreats are held on Saturdays in our wooded and tranquil home in Salem, Oregon. Bring a lunch or order from one of local partners.
I am currently partnering with teachers, healers, and other practitioners to bring workshops to your clients. Email me at [email protected] to learn more.
The Benefits of a 1-Day Retreat last long after the experience is over.
Gain clarity and insight about your life by exploring significant themes
Feel empowered when you redefine aspects of your life through narrative writing
Write in a supportive setting with guidance from a certified guided autobiography instructor and story coach
Connect with other people when you share your stories
$395
Write Now.
6-Week Workshop
Introduction to Guided Autobiography
Give yourself the gift of learning, writing, and connecting with others in a weekly guided autobiography class.
Classes are four weeks and explore meaningful life themes, designed to help you develop greater self-awareness around your story, as well as practice with the healing aspects that come from writing about your life.
Each week, I'll introduce reflective writing exercises, thought-provoking questions, and a writing prompt.
You'll write two pages weekly and share your story in a supportive, small group online. Together, we'll cover the essentials of supportive listening and meaningful feedback, in order to create a safe space for everyone.
Our summer session begins July 13. Fall session starts September 15.
6 weeks to grow and know yourself.
Gain clarity and insight about your life by exploring significant themes weekly
Learn from anywhere. Classes are live and online.
Make writing a self-care habit. You'll be writing every week!
Feel empowered when you redefine your life through narrative storytelling.
Receive guidance from a certified guided autobiography instructor and story coach
Journey with others as you learn and share your stories. You'll share your story each week with the group.
Summer:
Sundays 4pm-5:30pm PDT
Fall:
Mondays 9am-10:30am PDT
$250
Life is a trip.
Gaze into the rearview or change direction with a writing workshop or retreat.
Here's how it works.
1
Pick your path.
Find the format that works best for you. Retreats are held in person in Salem, Oregon. Classes are held online. See our schedule to learn more.
2
Prep for the journey.
Once registered, we'll connect so you feel fully prepared for your personal writing journey. The experience is part writing and part sharing—always in a safe space. Together, we'll set expectations on how to be kind and supportive listeners.
3
I can't wait for you to experience the transformative power of writing about your life. Your life matters and putting into words gives it the weight and meaning your story deserves.
There is power in telling your story.
In January 2024, I decided to try live storytelling and went on The Moth stage for the first time. I've since taken the stage four times, even winning a Story Slam.
But that first time! I was so nervous I could barely breathe. But you know what? It was thrilling to share a story with a live audience.
There is no stage in guided autobiography classes or retreats (although if you want a stage, ask me about events!) but there is a beautiful exchange that happens between you and the people who hear your story.
They are in it with you, and maybe even for the first time, there are witness to the significant experiences that made you who you are.
"Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it"
~Mary Oliver, "Sometimes"
It's fun and it's free!
Explore your life's most important subject... you!
Each day we'll send you a guided journal prompt to your inbox.
Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a structured method that helps you explore your life stories with the support of a trained facilitator. Rather than looking at your life chronologically, we use themes to help you reflect deeply on your significant experiences, leading to valuable insights about yourself and a better understanding of your personal journey.Workshops and retreats focus on life themes, like pivotal moments, family dynamics, career, health, and personal aspirations. You'll receive thought-provoking questions designed to spark memories and learn to write about your life two-pages at a time, making it an accessible way to write about your life.
Are the workshops and retreats just for writers?
They are for everyone! All grown ups are welcome. Maybe you want to share writing with your family or loved ones or maybe you're interested in writing for self-discovery. Maybe you're wanting an easy way to start writing your memoir. All will benefit from life story writing.
What if I can't attend every session?
Emergencies happen, and we understand you might miss a class. We hope that doesn't happen because your attendance is important to the group. Recorded sessions will be available if you miss or if you want to review a lesson.
What are workshops like?
Online workshops are two hours. The first hour includes writing exercises, discussion, and an introduction to the week's writing theme. The second hour we will split into two groups and share. Sharing is an important part of the GAB experience. You may occasionally want to pass on a topic but we hope that most weeks you'll choose the benefit of sharing your story with your new friends in the group.
Yes! Guided Autobiography is a beautiful experience to have with friends, but you'll make new friends too. :) Your registration will be for one person, so make sure your friend completes one too.
This blog features a moving redemption story from a Guided Autobiography writer who transforms a lifetime of anxiety into a moment of courage and clarity at her mother’s funeral. ...more
Write Now Stories
June 30, 2025•7 min read
Guided autobiography is a transformative writing process that helps people reflect on their life experiences, find meaning, and reshape the stories they tell about themselves. ...more
Write Now Stories
June 23, 2025•8 min read
Writing about your life helps you make sense of it. Learn how one life story writer finds meaning in an experience that made her want to give up. ...more
Write Now Stories
June 16, 2025•6 min read
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