Watch Intro Video

Video

Is this course for you? I answer a few questions, and end with comments by former students.

Course Overview

FAQ

  • How long will this class take me?

    It is patterned after my 4-week in-person class that spans 8 hours of class time. There are fun exercises to do on your own. You could finish it in a day, a weekend, or a month.

  • Is this self-paced?

    Yes. You can start or stop whenever you like and work on a schedule that is comfortable for you. The lessons are organized in short, bite-sized chunks to make it easy to start and stop.

  • What level of writer should I be?

    This is meant to be an introductory guide to give an overview of the whole writing process with practical tools along the way. Many beginners take this class, as well as people who have already done a lot of work on their stories.

  • How much of this course is video?

    About two-thirds of the lessons are short videos (mostly 3-5 minutes). Some are formatted like it's you and me together one-on-one, some are from a half-day class I filmed specifically so it would feel like you're there in a group, and some are tutorials narrated by me. The other lessons consist of exercises and additional reading. You can preview lessons above to get an idea.

Teaching and Presenting Experience

Speaker RootsTech - February 26-29, Salt Lake City, Utah. Register at RootsTech.org
National Genealogical Society - National Conference Speaker
Weber State University Center for Continuing Education
Long View of History - 67th Annual Utah State Historical Society Conference, 2018
Snow College keynote speaker
Southern California Genealogical Society Speaker
Ogden-Weber Technical College
Women in Business speaker

Testimonials

I now feel inspired

VerDene

“I have loved your classes. They have changed my life. I now feel inspired to share with others.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed your 'Life Story' class.”

Bryan

“I thoroughly enjoyed the 'Life Story' class at Weber State. The storyboard info was marvelous and extremely helpful...”

A delightful learning experience

Nina

“Your class was a delightful learning experience. It was nice to realize that a few well-told stories of the most impactful lessons of your life are enough to pass on to posterity. Thanks again for your inspiration.”

You are a fabulous teacher

Denise

“I never realized how important writing is to me...I feel blessed to have found your class! Thank you for giving me the tools, and now the confidence, to take the words from my head and place them on paper. You are a fabulous teacher."

Encouragement I need to finish my book

Stephanie

“Thank you for teaching this class. It is making my life better and giving me the encouragement I need to finish my book.”

Thank you!

Craig

"Thank you! Best class I attended at RootsTech."

It provided a necessary means of accountability

Valarie

“I have had a terrific time in your class. It has provided a necessary means of accountability. I felt inclined to write some life stories but just wasn't applying the chair glue to do it.”

So many inspiring ideas!

Kathie

"So many inspiring ideas! Great job!"

Very interesting!

Santiago

"I really enjoyed your class and feel like I was set to go on a journey. I have to confess that I was not sold on the storyboard idea at the beginning of the class, but as I have studied it and learned a bit more, I can see and recognize it not only in books and movies but in real life. Very interesting!"