AARP Offers Memoir Writing Workshop to Help Capture Life Stories

Cathy Smith, a professional writer and educator, guides participants through the memoir writing process.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The AARP Tuesday Explorers program recently featured a presentation by Cathy Smith, a professional writer and editor, on how to write a meaningful memoir. Smith encouraged attendees to capture their life experiences and share their stories with family and friends. She outlined the key elements of memoir writing, including characters, context, complications, climax, and conclusion, and emphasized the importance of writing communities to support the process.

Why it matters

Memoir writing can be a powerful tool for self-reflection, healing, and preserving family history. By sharing their life stories, individuals can leave a lasting legacy for their loved ones and inspire others with their experiences.

The details

During the AARP presentation, Cathy Smith, an adjunct professor at Prince George's Community College, explained that memoirs are more manageable than full autobiographies, as they focus on a specific aspect of a person's life. She guided attendees through the five key components of a compelling memoir: characters (including the author), context, complications, climax, and conclusion. Smith also emphasized the value of writing communities, where participants can establish confidentiality agreements and support each other's writing efforts.

  • The AARP Tuesday Explorers program featured the memoir writing presentation on January 27, 2026.

The players

Cathy Smith

A professional writer and editor with over 40 years of experience, and an adjunct professor at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland, where she teaches classes on writing.

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What they’re saying

“Do you enjoy stories, and don't you wish that your parents and grandparents had written down some of the things that were important in their lives?”

— Cathy Smith, Writer and Educator (AARP)

“Memoirs are stories. They do not require the effort of developing a full autobiography which is a rendering of the entire life of a person. A memoir is about an aspect of a person's life, which is much less daunting to develop.”

— Cathy Smith, Writer and Educator (AARP)

What’s next

Cathy Smith encouraged attendees to consider starting their own memoir writing communities within retiree organizations, church groups, community colleges, and book clubs to support each other's writing efforts.

The takeaway

The AARP presentation highlighted the value of memoir writing as a way for individuals to reflect on their life experiences, preserve their stories for future generations, and inspire others with their personal journeys. By emphasizing the manageable nature of memoirs and the power of writing communities, the workshop provided attendees with the tools and motivation to capture their life stories.