FIRST MONDAY, FIRST PERSON
at Pinney Library
No meeting in September–First Monday is Labor Day
Next Meeting: October 5
Join me for this free monthly event for reminiscence writers. Sign up on arrival to read on a first-come, first-served basis, and receive group feedback from like-minded people. Readings should be about 5-7 minutes long, true, and yours to tell. Listeners welcome as well as readers.
When: First Monday of every month (except holidays), from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Join us in person at the Pinney Library Community Room, 516 Cottage Grove Rd.
Free. No advance registration required. Food and beverages are welcome!
Want to see what kind of stories are shared? Visit my blog, True Stories Well Told.
Write Your Selfie Obituary
Presented by Madison College
So many people pass through your life, but no one knows everything you have done, valued, or experienced. In this two-session workshop, you’ll learn a proven template for writing your own obituary or one for a loved one. Through guided discussion, writing exercises, and feedback, you’ll create a lively and accurate record of a life story worth remembering. Why not have the last word?
When: Wednesdays, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. October 28 and November 4
Where: Truax-Health Building Rm 218
Registration details coming later this summer.
For Guided Autobiography Instructors
Shaking the Family Tree: Over six weeks you’ll learn to teach this popular curriculum that assists workshop participants to locate, recall, and write the histories of their families. Participants are encouraged to look for lost family culture and traditions embedded in their histories. What will you leave in the past, incorporate into the present, or leave for future generations?
Wednesdays, Oct 21 — November 25, 2026 (6 weeks) • 11:00 AM — 1:30 PM Central Time
Check the Birren Center website for specifics.
Cost: $450 (includes a contribution to the Birren Center). Receive certification to teach.
Registration limited to 10. Contact me to register.
Find Your Students, Fill Your Classes: Over six weeks you’ll create a personalized Marketing Action Plan for six months of activity. Each session helps you craft your elevator pitch, social media messages, and other outreach tools, using templates and peer support. You’ll never again feel stuck about what to say or where to start.
Will be offered in Fall 2026: Check the Birren Center website for specifics.
Cost: $300 (includes a contribution to the Birren Center).
Registration limited to 10. Contact me to register.
Workshops not for you?
Try individualized memoir coaching
I help you write and share your life stories, coaching you as you write a compelling story from your memories. Throughout, I’m at your side to help you get started and stay motivated. Print-on-demand makes it possible to share your story with just a small circle or offer it to the world.
Intrigued? Got questions? I have answers! Let’s talk.