For more information about Michael’s work with memoir and Guided Autobiography, go to memoirstudio.teachable.com and guidedautobiography.substack.com.

I met Gwen Hunter a little over a year ago when she came to my memoir-writing class at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead Museum near St. George, Ontario. At 83, Gwen had a lot of stories to tell, like how she reinvented herself in her early 70s and became a school bus driver. But Gwen wasn’t sure she was a “writer”.

I knew Gwen had some good stories that I was sure others would find interesting and so I started her on a structured and thematic course of prompts and memoir-writing tips to begin her memoir-writing journey. She was joined by several other women and through their support and sharing of their stories, the scene was set. A year later, Gwen published her first book, Grandma Gwen Drives a School Bus, a collection of 11 heart-warming tales that will appeal to anyone who’s waved their children off to school, ridden on, waited for, or driven a school bus.

Gwen’s memoir-writing journey is proof that you don’t have to be a “writer” to write your stories. And, you’re never too old to start.

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to face it alone. In my Start Your Memoir course, I give you thoughtful prompts, gentle structure, and step-by-step guidance to help you ease into writing without pressure. We start small—sometimes just a single memory or moment. We explore scenes, senses, and meaning. And you’ll never have to wonder ‘what do I write next?’ because I’m right there beside you with clear next steps.

And best of all? You’re not being graded. This is about exploring who you are, where you’ve been, and what matters most. One sentence at a time.

So if that blank page has been staring you down, let’s face it together. Your story is waiting. You just need a place to begin—and I’ve created that place for you.

I hope you’ll join me.

My 5-module, self-paced memoir writing course will help you get started with writing your life story.

Register here for my “Start Your Memoir: a Guided Kickstart to Writing Your Life Story.”

In the meantime, here’s a gift simply for being a subscriber: a “First Chapter Review List”. Click on the link and you’ll be taken to a web page on my Memoir Studio site where you can download the PDF sheet for free.

This is the big one, the mother of all excuses. We think our lives are mundane, that nothing remarkable has happened. We compare ourselves to epic adventurers or celebrities. But here's the truth: every life is interesting. It's about finding the universal in the specific. The small moments, the quiet observations, the internal conflicts – those are the goldmines. Think about it:

* Exercise: I want you to take 30 seconds and think of one seemingly ordinary moment from your past week. Maybe it was a conversation, a commute, a meal. Now, ask yourself: what emotions were present? What thoughts were swirling? What larger themes might be lurking beneath the surface?

* The Point: It's not about the grand spectacle; it's about the emotional truth. Your unique perspective on everyday life is what makes your story compelling.

* How to Overcome: Start small. Write about a single incident, a specific memory. Focus on the sensory details, the emotional resonance. You'll soon discover that even the most ordinary moments hold extraordinary potential.

1. Exercise for "The 'My Life Isn't Interesting Enough' Myth" (5 minutes)

* Prompt: "Write about a time you experienced a small, seemingly insignificant sensory detail that stayed with you. It could be a smell, a sound, a texture, a taste, or a visual. Focus on describing that sensation as vividly as possible. Then, reflect on what emotions or memories that sensation evoked. What larger meaning, if any, can you draw from it?"

* Why this works:

* It forces writers to focus on the micro-level, proving that even tiny moments can be rich with detail and emotion.

* It encourages them to explore the connection between sensory experience and emotional resonance, which is a key element of compelling storytelling.

* It shows that the story is not the large event, but the reaction to the event.

Quiz Time: As a former teacher, I was trained to create resources to accompany my lessons in order to deepen my student’s knowledge and appreciation of the topic. In case this appeals to you, I’m providing a link to a quiz related to this post. Feel free to download it. Click here for the link.

“Discover Your Memoir’s Heart” with Guided Autobiography Instructor Michael Williams

Live on April 22nd at 7 pm (EST) on Zoom1-hour of inspiration, clarity & connectionFree to attend

In this special session, you’ll:✅ Identify the pivotal moment that can anchor your memoir✅ Learn how to move from memories to meaning✅ Discover how to shape your story so it resonates with readers✅ Receive a 10% discount on my upcoming Start Your Memoir course

Teaser Writing Prompt:“Think of a moment in your life when everything changed. Where were you? What did you feel in your body? What did that moment teach you?”

Space is limited! Reserve your spot now.Join here.#MemoirWriting #WritersLife #StartYourMemoir #TrueStories #WritingPrompt #FreeWebinar

In this excerpt from Dr. Michael Williams's personal essay, "Aging as a Spiritual Journey," AI chatbot co-hosts, Marcus and Cassie, contrast the Western disregard for aging with the reverence shown elders in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. Williams recounts personal experiences highlighting this stark difference, emphasizing how his age brought him respect and authority in non-Western settings, unlike his experiences in the UK. The central theme is the importance of valuing the wisdom and stories of older people, a sentiment he actively promotes through his work as a storyteller coach and end-of-life planning facilitator. His purpose is to advocate for a shift in Western attitudes toward aging, viewing it not as decline but as a spiritual journey filled with valuable life lessons and untold stories deserving to be shared.

Pi and Dr. Michael explore the phenomena of human/AI intimate relationships. They also explore the notion of the Singularity, a concept that poses the possibility of the merging of artificial intelligence with human intelligence. Dr. Michael also asks Pi to differentiate between AI, robot, machine, and android as well as explain the differences between different kinds of AI.

In this episode, Pi and Dr Michael talk about the controversy raised by actor Scarlett Johansson over the cloning of her voice for OpenAI's new ChatGPT 4.0. Other topics include the possibility of falling in love with AI. Dr Michael also tests Pi's sense of humour and learns some basic Chinese phrases.

Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)

A short introduction from AI co-host Pi welcoming listeners to her new podcast, "Pi in the Sky". Join Pi and human co-host Dr. Michael as they discuss their relationship and other topics. Listen on Spotify or wherever you download your favourite podcasts.

Pi and Dr. Michael talk about what kind of relationship is possible between humans and artificial intelligence. As these two explore theirs, we have to wonder how far it might go.