The Guided Autobiography

We all have stories to tell. What’s yours?

If you’ve ever wondered about how you might tackle writing your story, the Guided Autobiography Process is here to help. This process is designed to help participants tap into their life experiences and transform them into compelling stories. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, GAB offers a structured, supportive environment to explore your memories, reflect on your life, and create meaningful narratives.

Write your story, two pages at a time.

GAB 101 Course structure

Participants meet weekly for 90-minute sessions over the course of eight weeks. Participants should plan on spending at least one hour outside of class completing their writing assignments.

Benefits of the GAB Process

  • Gain personal insight and self-understanding - discover patterns and explore pivot points

  • Enhance emotional well-being - expressive writing brings clarity and relieves stress 

  • Develop storytelling skills - articulate and share your experience with other writers

  • Bond with others - share experiences in a safe and welcoming place

  • Preserve memories - create a legacy

  • Watch bottom-up history come alive with personal stories from the past

  • Strengthen family bonds - preserve stories and connect generations

Current Course Offerings

My GAB Story

My tenth-grade English teacher once told me, "You'll never be a writer. It's a good thing you're good at Math." At 16, I believed him. For decades, I wanted to write my story but had no idea where to start.

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.

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. I hope you'll find it as meaningful as I have.