Welcome to

Life Stories Netherlands

The stories only you can write.

The Guided Autobiography Method.

Course Offerings

Guided Autobiography Man at a Table Writing by Wallerant Vaillant (17th Century)
Source: Man at a Table Writing by Wallerant Vaillant (The Met)
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Write Your Life Story

Your life story, two pages at a time.

Starts Dec 2025, dates TBD

Where do I come from? Who I am now? Where am I heading?

Using the Guided Autobiography Method and reflection tools, we will answer these questions and delve into your memories using weekly themes, such as turning points, family, career, health and wellbeing, gendered experiences, and self-perception. Through gentle prompts, creative exercises, and supportive feedback, you will begin to craft your living memoir.

This course is ideal for anyone who would like to reflect on or chronicle their life experiences. Whether you are going through a life transition, or would like to record your personal journey for family members, this course is for you. Suitable for both beginner and experienced writers.

    • 5 sessions | 2 hours each

    • An intimate, small group setting (max. 6)

    • Weekly themes & prompts, you write 2 pages at a time

  • You will gain:

    • a writing portfolio mapping your personal trajectory

    • written memories for publication or legacy purposes

    • a clearer understanding of your strengths and weaknesses

    • increased self-acceptance

    • empathetic listening and feedback skills

  • 📅 December 2025

    📍 Zoom

  • €250 (Dutch and EU residents pay 21% VAT)

Guided Autobiography for Creatives

A long-term view of your creative career

How has your life trajectory shaped your creative and professional outlook? What were the formative moments in the development of your artistic identity? Where do you come from, and where are you heading next?

Using the Guided Autobiography Method and reflection tools, we will excavate past experiences to clarify what moves and motivates us. You will reflect and recollect, craft a body of work, as well as (re)connect with your creative voice in a supportive and confidential setting.

    • 5 sessions | 2 hours each

    • An intimate, small group setting (max. 6)

    • Weekly themes & prompts, you write 2 pages at a time

  • You will develop/gain:

    • a writing portfolio mapping your life trajectory

    • written memories for publication/future projects

    • a clear perspective of why you write/who you are as a creative

    • tools to maintain a sustainable writing practice

    • empathetic listening and feedback skills

  • 📅 6/12, 13/12, 20/12, 10/01, 17/01 (Saturdays, 2025-2026)

    🕰️ 12:00 - 14:00 (UTC)

    📍 Zoom

  • €250 (Dutch and EU residents pay 21% VAT)

Want to learn more before signing up?

Attend the intro session on November 15th 2025, 12pm UTC.

Join the free intro session
Source: Frieze ornament depicting the theme of reading and writing (The Met)
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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.

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 we are more equipped to face life’s challenges when we know where we come from.

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

Testimonials

  • "I was surprised how quickly we were able to be open and honest with one another...You will generate more writing than you might expect from yourself."

    Cam John

  • "A course well suited for pausing and reflecting on yourself deeply."

    Yukako

  • "This course gives voice to the stories that have long lived within me, shaping them into words and entrusting them first to a circle of gentle, understanding listeners."

    Sita

  • "I loved your classes and the sharing of stories. It felt inspiring and safe."

    Xixi, the Netherlands

Lectures on Ventilation by Lewis W. Leeds (1869)

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

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