Would you like to work with others while drafting your life story?

First Person Narratives offers short classes and workshops that provide a supportive, helpful context in which to work on your writing. These are fun ways to get started, stay motivated, and share your stories with others.

Trena Cleland also gives presentations about Personal Histories — titled “Turn Your Past Into a Present” — to community and senior groups. She shares stories from her work with clients, samples of Personal Histories, and practical tips, techniques, and handouts to inspire participants.

Class and lecture topics include:

• the growing popularity of Personal Histories and memoirs
• their value to you and others
• how Personal Histories compare with genealogies
• memory joggers to get your stories flowing
• simple, fun writing exercises
• a review of the forms Personal Histories can take:
  • oral histories
  • memoir books and legacy documents
  • video biographies
  • photo scrapbooks with story captions
  • the history of your heirlooms
  • vignettes and short anecdotes from your life
  • recipes and the family stories that go with them
  • ethical wills and legacy letters

What people like about Trena Cleland’s presentations and workshops:

“Her humor, her content, her empathy, her sincerity, her expertise, her visuals, her grace,” “her personality of presence,””well prepared with great content,” “an excellent focus on real examples and issues,” “superb,” “amazing.”

Please contact us for more information.