Our Story
Lily Bengfort from the USA and Leigh Morrow from Canada, The Story Guides are certified teachers of Guided Autobiography from The Birren Institute for Autobiographical Studies in California, and members of The National Association of Memoir Writers. Both have backgrounds in Journalism and are passionate writers with enormous creativity and unbridled encouragement for their students. On meeting, they knew they could be a team helping people across North America and beyond explore their creative selves. Learn more about Lily and Leigh, below.
Leigh Morrow.
On Top of Cathedral Mountain near my home in the Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Leigh says: “Most of us say we have written something, but in truth, we mostly write around the edges.”
Co-Author of Just Push Play—on Midlife!, an interactive journal to help women map their happiest, most fulfilling, and most playful midlife. Current contributor to numerous online and print publications and magazines.
I’m Leigh Morrow and for as long as I can remember I have been helping people tell their stories. As an investigative reporter for over 27 years both in radio and television, (CBC, Global, and City TV in Canada ) I have been privileged to hear and share so many of those important narratives. With a degree in Journalism and a breadth of experience from nearly three decades of interviewing, researching, and digging deep for the many award-winning investigative pieces such as the highly deadly Avian pre-pandemic cursor in Vietnam or uncovering the controversial Summit notes of former Russian President Yeltsin, or the controversial Canada wide mortgage fraud linked to grow-ops, my passion is always about getting to the truth. After retiring from broadcast journalism, and co-writing a book on the middle years, “Just Push Play- on Midlife” teaching guided autobiography was a natural stepping stone. I can share writing tips after my years of experience in the trenches and share helpful tools to use as you organize and tell your life stories. You will be surprised how much your writing will improve along the way. At a time of rapid change and digital dominance, Guided Autobiography awards us a reprieve and a chance to catch our collective breath and review how things have come to be in our lives and how we have become who we are. I believe our global Pandemic experience has created a yearning to once again take stock and document our lives. Writing our memories, is an action that for most of us, is comfortingly familiar. Just as your ancestors may have recorded pilgrimages or transoceanic voyages to new lands, with Guided Autobiography, you will create a detailed account of your Life’s most significant passages, for yourself and for those who come after you. It is a journey you will never regret.
Lily Bengfort
Writing and listening to stories from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Author and Publisher of “Letters From Edna.” numerous articles for a daily newspaper and currently working on her personal Memoir with a working title of Almost American.
I’m Lily, founder, CEO, writer, author, instructor, and personal cheerleader to help you write your memoir. I’m passionate about helping you write your book and empowering your creative self. I believe that everyone’s life is a story worth telling. Helping you tell your story in a way that honors and encourages you today is my hope. My passion is for helping you write stories that inspire others and connect you across generations. Since childhood, I have been sitting at the breakfast table and listening to the stories of my extended family and of our history and migration across three continents. First from India to Guyana as indentured workers, then to the United States. Over the last decade, my writings include preserving the stories, recipes and Indo-Caribbean Culture, for my own family and Indo-Caribbeans around the world. My writings also include a self-published book: Letters From Edna, as a way to honor my mother-in-law and preserve her history. I am destined to be the family historian and storyteller. My beginning career started as a journalist working for a newspaper and radio station. I made a living as a CEO for a technology company and am now helping others explore their creative selves and bring their stories to life. On any given day, you can find me listening to people’s stories everywhere from the playground, to the football stadium, to the local craft distillery, or attending or perusing the creative works of others through the Maryland State Arts Council.
Kind Words…
“GAB was a fantastic experience delivered in a supportive and engaging environment by compassionate and well-trained facilitators. The program encouraged me to reflect on my life, to put major experiences in perspective, and to succinctly and creatively write my legacy. Though I do not yet know when and how I will share my store, the process itself was a cathartic, healing, and inspirational journey!”
— Darlene S.
“This class made me think I could actually write about my history/experience, etc. The structure breaks topics into manageable pieces. You write each week, but not too much. Just enough to get you started and thinking about what else you could write about. The biggest surprise for me was how the weekly writing assignments prompted so many experiences, feelings, impressions that I hadn't thought of in years.”
— Patricia A.
“I loved hearing the other stories, and I find the structure is something I need to push me to keep writing!”
— Betsy H.,
“Guided autobiography is an excellent process, even if you never plan to publish. The process of writing one's life experiences can be personally satisfying and it can help to bring clarity to your life. If you do want to complete an autobiography or family story, this process will provide focus and best practices.”
— Kim D.,
More Kind Words….
“Hearing stories of others; feedback/coaching from Leigh and Lily was excellent and well-founded; a disciplined process to write an autobiography; the discipline of writing every week; the atmosphere of trust, support, and friendship in the class; was really a wonderful, learning experience; helpful and practical advice about autobiography, including family pushback.”
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“If you ever wondered how or where to start writing your own life story, try GAB. It will jump-start the process and you will not want to stop.”
— Rob L
“This is the best memoir writing class I've taken. Lily's and Leigh's presentations and prompts guide participants to hone in on key aspects of personal narratives. They guide each participant to develop their voice and narrative arc in a way that is relevant to readers. I've already recommended the course to several friends.”
— Gina C
“It was all very positive...I have always been a writer at heart...My excuse for not writing was that I was too busy living life...It was great to get back in the realm...
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— Jerry M
Motivation comes from within — and we’re here to help you activate it.
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