Writing life’s stories, one at a time

Writing your life story can be daunting.

But in Betty Edwards’ life story class at the Costa Mesa Senior Center, students can tackle the job one experience at a time.

A life story does not necessarily have to be written in chronological order, said Edwards, a writer based in Long Beach.

For example, at a recent Wednesday class, Edwards asked students to do a 30-minute writing exercise on a childhood experience.

Martha Sarkissian of Newport Beach wrote about witnessing racism in her home as a child in the 1930s. Reading from her laptop computer, Sarkissian, recalled being 5 years old and having her mother ask her not to bring a Jewish friend over to play.

Costa Mesa resident Joan Cox wrote about her mentally disabled sister who was institutionalized as a child in the 1940s.

Other students wrote about being physically and mentally abused by parents.

Because of the sensitive subjects the students write about, trust among them in class is crucial, Edwards said.

“There’s a lot of trust and friendship in the class,” Edwards said. “I want them to feel free to write about what really happened in their lives.”

During the three-hour class, students write about one topic. After they read out loud what they wrote, they get to hear what their classmates think.

“It’s always positive feedback because negative feedback can keep you from writing,” Edwards said.

Regardless of what students choose to write about, Edwards stresses that their writing stay focused.

Over the course of the 16-week class, Edwards said she sees improvement in their writing.

The reasons vary for why people take the class. Some take the class to leave a record of their families and lives. Others, including Gabrielle Hass, want to publish a book of vignettes about the importance of living in the moment. The Huntington Beach resident gives Edwards credit for setting the relaxed tone in class. Through positive feedback from Edwards and from her classmates, Hass said she has found her “writing voice.”

“Everybody has such a different voice, which I just love,” Hass said about the different backgrounds of the students. “Everybody’s voice is different, and that’s OK.”

Besides sharing and improving their writing, Edwards said students become fast friends.

“Lasting friendships are formed in the class which his important as people get older,” she said.

The class, offered through the Coastline Community College, is free to seniors. The class meets from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays at the senior center at 695 W. 19th St.

For information, call (949) 645-2356.