Merrymeeting Community & Adult Education

This course is a memoir-type writing program that uses a theme-based approach to writing life stories. Classes will provide focus and motivation to write life stories. The course will help participants organize and write their life stories using the Guided Autobiography (GAB) method. Each week, students are required to write at least two pages based on a theme-of-the-week, and share their work with a dedicated group. Students will participate in discussions relating to the theme topics. Associated writing exercises will enhance memory recall and storytelling skills. Sharing stories in small groups is the other key aspect to the program so attendance at every session is very important. It is recommended that students have a gmail account as most handouts will be shared virtually via Google Docs. The preferred device for this course is a laptop rather than a tablet. From Diana S., a Life Story Writing participant from Craig's Fall 2025 course: “I signed up for this class with no expectations except that it would be interesting. It was more than interesting--it sparked my memories and my thinking about them. Putting those thoughts and memories down on paper, clarified them and opened up new channels of thought and memory. It was also very interesting to hear others' writing--each of us so different--and yet so eloquent. Craig was very good at guiding us and keeping us on track. I highly recommend this class.”