Welcome to Life Stories

Stories only you can write.

The Guided Autobiography Method.

Lectures on Ventilation by Lewis W. Leeds (1869)

The Guided Autobiography Method (GAB) is a systematic approach to memoir writing. It offers a nurturing, interactive environment to organise and reflect on your memories. GAB helps you create a strong foundation for your creative work, career, and personal growth.

I am a Birren Center certified Guided Autobiography Instructor. As a memoir and poetry writer, I understand the challenges that comes with writing about your personal life. I advocate for a gentle yet structured approach to writing, because I want your writing journey to be a consistent and sustainable one.

My education in Public History led me to legacy writing and personal history. I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that insights should be passed down from one generation to the next.

What GAB is:

  • A small group and confidential setting to share your written work,

  • Curated themes and prompts to guide introspection on life events, two pages at a time,

  • A comfortable space to connect with others,

  • A place to practice and improve free-writing skills,

  • A framework to enhance writing skills such as narrative pacing, sensory detail, metaphor, and structure

  • Looking back in order to look forward.

General class format

What GAB isn’t:

  • Therapy,

  • A standard writing workshop to critique and scrutinise your drafts,

  • A course with mandatory readings and one-size-fits-all assignments.

Over 5 to 6 weeks, we delve into our life stories through curated themes like branching points, family, money, career, etc. to document key memories.

Each class runs for two hours. The first hour is dedicated to free-writing and exercises to stimulate creativity; the second is spent sharing your written stories and feedback.

Each class includes:

  • A brief theoretical introduction

  • Guided writing exercises

  • Peer and instructor feedback

  • Optional office hours for additional support

Upcoming courses

  • Write Your Story Level 1 (virtual)

    6 spots only

    Saturdays 13/09, 20/09, 27/09, 04/10, 11/10, 18/10

    14:00 - 16:00 Amsterdam time (GMT+2)

    Details below!

    REGISTER

Upcoming:

Write Your Story

(virtual)

The stories only you can write, two pages at a time. Starting 13th September 2025. 6 sessions.

Over six virtual sessions on Zoom, we will delve into your life story: turning points, family, career, life passion, gendered experiences, and self-perception. Through gentle prompts, creative exercises, and supportive feedback, you will begin to craft your living memoir.

What you will gain:

  • A living portfolio that you can expand and share

  • Supportive feedback from the instructor and fellow writers

  • A sense of belonging and self-discovery

  • Office hours to discuss writing challenges with the instructor

  • Course materials you can keep working on even after the class ends

Beginners and experienced writers are welcome.

Dates: 13/09, 20/09, 27/09, 04/10, 11/10, 18/10 (Saturdays)

Time: 14:00 - 16:00 Amsterdam time (GMT+2)

Max. 6 participants

    • 6 sessions | 2 hours each

    • An intimate, small group setting

    • Weekly writing prompts, from which you will generate 800-1,000 words

  • The workshop fee is €300 (excluding VAT where applicable). Dutch and EU residents will be charged 21% VAT.

Interested? Get in touch.

I also offer team-building writing courses for businesses and groups. For more information, please fill in the form below, or contact me at GAB@tzyjiun.com

Support Life Stories

Every contribution supports:

  • Free or low-cost spots in my workshops for people with limited means

  • The continued development of new GAB classes and resources

Your support helps spread the joy of storytelling and legacy writing to more people, but it is not a requirement for participating in any of the courses.

Thank you so much.

To donate