UW News

May 11, 2011

Free introductory session of Guided Autobiography to be offered

UW News

If youve ever considered writing about your life — whether for publication or just for your family — you can sign up for a free introductory session of Guided Autobiography. The session will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19, in 156 Gerberding. The program is sponsored by the UW Retirement Association, but you do not need to be a member of the association or a retiree to attend.

Created by noted gerontologist James Birren, Guided Autobiography is not a writing class and people need not have writing experience in order to participate. Participants receive feedback on short, autobiographical stories in the form of affirmations for sharing and ideas for future writing rather than as critiques. 

The full course, led by two Birren Center-trained facilitators, runs for 10 two-hour  sessions and involves a commitment to write a short piece weekly for shared reflection. There is a fee for the full 20-hour course.

Registration is required for the free introductory session. Send a confirming email to: retiremt@uw.edu. More information about Birren and Guided Autobiography is available online.