Flora Brown has always loved storytelling.
Growing up in St. Louis Missouri in the 1950s around her mother’s beauty shop, she was intrigued by the drama of stories told by customers.
“While other kids played outdoors, I loved reading, writing, and eavesdropping on the ladies’ conversations. I didn’t realize it, but those stories shaped my life,” she said.
It was only natural that Brown gravitated toward Guided Autobiography.
“My love of stories seems to have taken me on a straight line from childhood to teaching, writing, and mentoring aspiring writers,” she said.
Her journey with GAB started in 2016, after some years retiring from a 40 year-teaching career, doing a radio show, publishing a book and mentoring others.
There were three reasons that teaching GAB was attractive when she discovered the writing method being offered in the local community.
“Coaching hopeful writers revealed that many didn’t really want to navigate the traditional or self-publishing paths, but simply wished to write their life stories for themselves or their loved ones,” she said.
Writing for loved ones was important, but secondly she hoped to heal writer’s wounds around their craft.
“Many who wanted to write their life stories were insecure about their writing, intimidated by formal writing programs, and still bruised from some unforgiving red-pen-wielding high school English teacher,” she said.
Lastly, an important reason to teach GAB was more personal for her.
“I realized I had limited knowledge about my own parents’ early lives.”
She explained that her mom was open to sharing stories until forbidden topics were brought up.
Despite fond childhood memories of going to the movies with her father, she still knew nothing about his childhood.
“GAB awakened an urgency to preserve my life story. Although I had done a lot of writing and publishing, I hadn’t made time to capture my own memories and reflections.”
This motivated her to begin her GAB training as an instructor in 2016, but sadly a devastating tragedy hit during her course. Her 40-year-old son died of a massive heart attack, and she questioned whether to continue her training. With the help of the teachers, she was encouraged to continue.
“Continuing my GAB training was a smart decision. Being part of a caring community focused on sharing our stories helped me get through those weeks following my son’s death. I discovered firsthand our saying, ‘GAB is not therapy, but it’s therapeutic.’”
After completing the training, she did run into some challenges. Finding venues was difficult so she tried many options.
“I offered my first classes in private homes using the old-fashioned Tupperware home party approach. I persuaded a few friends to host one-day sessions at their homes and invite their friends. The attendees paid, but the class was free for the hostess who provided the space and refreshments,” she said.
“Next, I convinced a few public libraries to hire me for a one-day or multiple week program, while I researched ways to offer my classes online. Just as the pandemic was starting, I had discovered two platforms—Kajabi and Zoom,” She said.
After troubleshooting venues and platforms, she still comes across big challenges.
“My biggest challenges now are the same ones all course creators face: marketing and promoting,” she said. “Attracting students and persuading them to pay with their money and time commitment depends on keeping up with ever-changing technology, a task that humbles us all.”
In order to market herself, she has developed other ways to connect with potential students.
“I publish an occasional newsletter, write articles for my blog and other publications, speak as a guest on podcasts, as well as maintain sites on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok,” she said. “I enjoy collaborating to offer masterclasses with other course creators and professionals in the genealogy and photo preservation world.”
With the everyday challenges of GAB, its the simple things that keep her motivated.
“What keeps me going? Meditating, posting in my gratitude journal, walking, continuing to work on my craft, and during many hours at the computer, shifting to healthier beverages such as tea, probiotic drinks, and Skinny Pop popcorn, nuts, fruit, and low-sodium crunchy snacks,” she said.
Despite the many challenges she has faced, Flora still forges forward.
“Facing my son's death and multiple health challenges while beginning my GAB programs tested my resolve, but it did not falter.”
Explore Flora Brown’s services and offerings at https://lnk.bio/florabrown2u or book a complimentary chat at https://bit.ly/ChatWithDrFlora