Writing your life story
or family history
isn’t just a dream
anymore…
Read on
to find everything
you need to
write the story only you can.
But first, does any of this sound familiar?
- I don’t know where to start writing my story. I have so much to tell.
- I’ve started writing my story a hundred times, but I always end up quitting.
- I’m not a writer. I write emails and letters, but I don’t know how to write an interesting story, one people would want to read.
- I write when I’m in a class and have deadlines, but I can’t stay motivated otherwise.
You aren’t alone.
Most of us struggle with writing. We think we should have every aspect of our story figured out before we write the first word. We worry about what other people will think. We begin with lots of energy and enthusiasm until…life happens, and we give up our dream. We become discouraged and think why bother.
We get it, and we’re here to help.
Becky McGregor
Stay with me for a minute and picture this:
- holding your finished book, your story, in your hands
- flipping through the pages of your book, reading your words, seeing the photos that help tell your story
- handing a copy of your book to each of your children and grandchildren and seeing their smiles
- hearing a son or daughter say, “I never knew that about you, Mom.”
- seeing your book on the shelf of your local bookstore or for sale on Amazon
- standing up before your church, club, or organization, telling them about your story and your book
It’s possible. I know.
In the last twenty-plus years, I’ve helped hundreds of
clients and class members start and finish writing their life stories. I’ve seen the impact that doing so had on them and those they love.
This will work for you too. Here’s how.
“Because of Patricia and Life Writers, I now proudly call myself a writer.”
Eve Wile
Award-Winning Author,
Patricia Charpentier
Welcome to Life Writers!
Life Writers is a subscription-based membership program that equips and supports the aspirations of writers of all skill levels through instruction, coaching, accountability, and a thriving community.
The Life Writers membership further develops your writing skills with:
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- live and on-demand instruction, including note-taking outlines, handouts, and worksheets
- writing assignments to practice what you learn
- interactive group feedback sessions
- accountability partners
- study of published memoirs
- answers to your specific questions
- and much more
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Take your writing to the next level.
Be a part of the vibrant Life Writers community and be amazed by what you can accomplish.
Is it right for me?
The Standard Membership is ideal for new writers, avid journalers, active writers, or those committed to a writing project who desire to stay motivated and focused.
For those looking to learn new writing skills and processes or those seeking to brush up on their techniques, this is the place for you.
If you want guidance, structure, and accountability to start or keep writing, a Standard Membership will set you up to take action on your writing intentions.
Standard Membership features include…
- explore one aspect of the writing craft during each four-month session, such as characterization, setting, dialogue, scenes, editing, and more
- make yourself accountable by reporting what you accomplished last week and stating your writing plans for the upcoming seven days in our Monday check-in calls
- take advantage of two hours of dedicated writing time with your fellow members every Wednesday afternoon
- improve your writing skills with ongoing access to exclusive member resources, including instructional videos, handouts, and assignments
- follow a guided, structured writing program with fresh content distributed weekly
- receive live instruction by Patricia Charpentier, owner and founder of Writing Your Life and Life Writers
- view on-demand video instruction whenever and wherever you wish
- participate in regular live group sessions via simple online conferencing
- connect with people with similar writing desires
- find accountability, support, and encouragement as part of a three- to four-person buddy group
- learn how to give and receive helpful feedback on stories
- ask Patricia specific questions about writing during designated office hours
- develop the ability to read like a writer and write for the reader by reading and discussing a published memoir in each four-month session
- be a vital member of a thriving, supportive, encouraging community where everyone helps each other
- learn to identify your writing desires, set intentions, and identify action steps needed to fulfill your dreams
- engage with fellow members in a secure area open only to Life Writers members
- and much more
Subscription fee:
$157 per 4-month session
$387 for 12-month subscription (save $84)
Questions? Please read our frequently asked questions below.
“I was stuck for twelve years in writing my memoir, and the accountability and support I found in Life Writers really helped me come back to writing.”
Linda Goddard
Is it right for me?
VIP Membership is geared toward the writer who desires a higher level of accountability, mentoring, one-on-one coaching, and guidance on his or her writing projects.
This writer focuses on fulfilling his or her writing intentions by dedicating time to writing, utilizing coaching opportunities, and completing related assignments. A VIP writer strives to tell his or her story and wants extra help to do so.
VIP Membership includes opportunities to:
- participate in monthly, one-on-one feedback sessions with Patricia and obtain expert advice on your stories
- join monthly, VIP-member-only feedback groups where members review and give useful insight on your story
- receive personal guidance from Patricia on your writing project
- participate in buddy groups
- gain complimentary admission to Writing Your Life classes and workshops
as well as…
- explore one aspect of the writing craft during each four-month session, such as characterization, setting, dialogue, scenes, editing, and more
- make yourself accountable by reporting what you accomplished last week and stating your writing plans for the upcoming seven days in our Monday check-in calls
- take advantage of two hours of dedicated writing time with your fellow members every Wednesday afternoon
- improve your writing skills with ongoing access to exclusive member resources, including instructional videos, handouts, and assignments
- follow a guided, structured writing program with fresh content distributed weekly
- receive live instruction by Patricia Charpentier, owner and founder of Writing Your Life and Life Writers
- view on-demand video instruction whenever and wherever you wish
- participate in regular live group sessions via simple online conferencing
- connect with people with similar writing desires
- find accountability, support, and encouragement as part of a three- to four-person buddy group
- learn how to give and receive helpful feedback on stories
- ask Patricia specific questions about your writing during designated office hours
- develop the ability to read like a writer and write for the reader by reading and discussing a published memoir in each four-month session
- be a vital member of a thriving, supportive, encouraging community where everyone helps each other
- learn to identify your writing desires, set intentions, and identify action steps needed to fulfill your dreams
- engage with fellow members in a secure area open only to Life Writers members
Subscription fee:
$497 per four-month session
$1247 for annual membership (save $244)
Questions? See frequently asked questions and answers below.
Through your Life Writers membership, you will…
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-
- gain more confidence in your writing
- break the isolation of writing
- be part of a fun, supportive, encouraging community
- get your writing questions answered
- receive guidance to write your story
- improve your writing skills
- understand the writing process
- feel inspired and motivated to keep writing
- discover solutions to your biggest writing issues
- learn how to set goals and take steps to accomplish them
- cultivate a disciplined writing practice
- make new friends with like-minded, supportive writers
- accomplish what you might have not been able to before
- move from talking about writing to actually writing
- fulfill your writing dreams
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More from our members…
“For me, Life Writers was like coming home after being lost in the desert.”
– Dar Lamb
“The combined support of instructors and participants has organized and speeded my writing journey.”
– Deborah Hunt-Repp
Patricia and husband, Bob,
in Alaska
Meet Patricia
Patricia Charpentier, author of the multi-award-winning book, Eating an Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite at a Time, teaches, writes, edits, ghostwrites, and publishes personal and family history and life-based stories. She is a popular speaker who, since 1999, has helped hundreds of people write and publish the most important stories of their lives.
Patricia creates the Life Writers membership that offers live workshops and ongoing courses, including programs that utilize videos, one-on-one coaching, group Q&A calls, and more to help people succeed in writing the story of a lifetime. To date, she has co-authored, edited, and published more than seventy personal and family histories. Her belief about capturing stories is: The only way to do this wrong is to not do it at all.
Patricia lives in Orlando with her golf-loving husband Bob and enjoys dancing for exercise, although she is grateful for the motto of the studio: There are no mistakes, only solos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click a question to view the answer.
What is included in a Life Writers membership?
Your Life Writers membership includes:
- ongoing access to our ever-growing content library, exclusive member resources, instructional videos, handouts, and assignments
- monthly live instruction by Patricia Charpentier, owner and founder of Writing Your Life and Life Writers
- participation in regular live group sessions via simple online conferencing
- accountability, support, and encouragement as part of a three-person buddy group
- helpful feedback on stories
- answers to your writing questions and topical discussions in the Writers CAFE twice per month
- a thriving, supportive, encouraging community where everyone helps each other
- an online forum to connect with fellow Life Writers members
- and more
Plus, a VIP Membership includes opportunities to:
- monthly, one-on-one feedback sessions with Patricia to obtain expert advice on your stories
- monthly, VIP-member-only feedback groups where members review and provide useful insight into your story
- complimentary admission to Writing Your Life classes and workshops
What can I expect after I sign up?
Once we receive your registration, we will send you an email with details about the start of the session, including the date and time of our launch party and orientation. You will also receive a link to sign in to the Life Writers website, set up your profile, watch the Help videos, introduce yourself to your fellow members, and begin the Get Started Roadmap.
Once I sign up, how long is my membership?
Your membership automatically renews annually or every four months, depending upon the option you select. You are free to cancel your membership at any time. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for full details.
However, Life Writers members love the program and continue to find value, month after month. We believe you’ll want to continue your membership when you see how much progress you make with Life Writers.
Can I participate for only a month at a time?
Unfortunately, no. Because of how the Life Writers program is structured, the minimum commitment is a four-month session.
During what dates do the four-month sessions run?
The Life Writers membership is broken into four-month sessions:
February through May
June through September
October through January
Each new session begins at the start of February, June, and October with regular weekly meetings held on Tuesday evenings (ET) thereafter.
How much of a time commitment is Life Writers each week?
The activities within Life Writers vary somewhat week-to-week. Should you wish to participate fully, you can expect to invest an average of two to three hours per week of live meetings, video lessons, assignments, and connecting with your buddy group, in addition to the time you choose to set aside to write your personal stories.
Is Life Writers a program only for writers of memoir?
Not at all. While life story, memoir, and family history are the primary focus of Writing Your Life, we also acknowledge that good writing is good writing no matter the genre. Whether you are crafting poems, fictional stories, or creative nonfiction, the elements of engaging text are all the same. Life Writers exposes its members to devices such as dialogue, crafting scenes, characterization, and more that enhance all writing.
What is a buddy group, and what is its purpose?
A buddy group is composed of two or three writers specifically selected to support and encourage one another throughout the four-month session. You may share your writing and assignments with your buddies to receive feedback and suggestions as well as help hold one another accountable to meet your individual writing intentions. Buddy groups are a great way to cultivate friendships and stay connected while writing—an otherwise isolating endeavor.
How will the buddy groups be formed?
Soon after you register, you will answer some questions we use to pair you with other writers with similar writing goals, interests, and skill levels.
Do I need to be a tech wizard to participate?
Members need to be comfortable using technology, including email, basic word processing, Zoom video conferencing, navigating the Life Writers website, posting assignments, and commenting on the Life Writers website. None of these tasks are difficult, and we provide you with detailed instructions on how to do each.
What if Life Writers isn't right for me?
Life Writers is risk-free to you because it’s backed by a thirty-day, money-back guarantee.
If you try out the program, use its features, complete the assignments, and actively participate in the live events yet find Life Writers is not a good fit for you, email us before the end of your first thirty days of membership, and we will refund your subscription fee. However, we know once you experience Life Writers, you’ll be excited to stay and see what you can accomplish.
If you are past your first thirty days, you may cancel your membership renewal on your My Account page.
If your subscription renews every four months, you must cancel fourteen days before the start of the next session, which begins on February 1, June 1, or October 1.
If your subscription renews annually, you must cancel fourteen days before the next annual billing, which occurs before the start of the next session begins
For more details, please refer to our Automatic Renewing Subscription Terms and Conditions.
Can I continue to access the program content after I cancel?
You have full access to all the content as long as you are a member. If you cancel your membership, you lose access to all content.
For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions.
If I cancel my membership, can I rejoin at a later date?
Absolutely! You will simply re-register as a new member at the current membership rate, and you will once again have full access to all membership content.
And most importantly,
you’ll learn the only way to do it wrong
is to not do it at all!
When you join Life Writers, you are fully protected by our
100% satisfaction guarantee. Do the work, participate fully, and if,
in the first thirty (30) days, you feel Life Writers is not for you,
let us know, and we’ll send you an immediate refund.
(Guarantee excludes Life Writers Plus)