My tenth-grade English teacher once told me, "You'll never be a writer. It's a good thing you have strong math skills." At 16, I believed him. For decades, I wanted to write my story but had no idea where to start. And I didn’t think I could write.

In 2025, I discovered the Guided Autobiography class at Bellevue College. On the first day, uncertain if I'd return, we received a simple prompt: 'Tell me about a kitchen from your childhood'. Words poured out from somewhere I didn't know existed. Forgotten memories and details surfaced. It was extraordinary.

I couldn't wait to start my homework—a 2-page essay on a new topic. When we shared our work the following week, I was captivated by my group members' voices and perspectives. I also felt proud when I shared my story.

Week by week, our bond deepened through shared stories. After the eighth class, none of us wanted it to end, so we signed up for another round. Then we kept meeting over the summer. We're still together today.

I discovered the writer who'd been dormant inside me all along. The experience was so transformative that I am now certified to teach this process and am writing my own memoir. I hope you'll find this experience as meaningful as I have.