About me

I never considered myself a writer, nor was I motivated to write about my life until my mom shared her personal essays with me. She had been in a memoir writing class with Chicago-based Beth Finke, award winning author, teacher, journalist and recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant. As a nurse, my mom never considered herself a writer either but wanted to get her stories out.

When I read my mom’s essays, I learned more about her and our family history than I had ever known or thought to ask. The essays captured her era, her character, her views and life lessons. My mother had stacks of essays that she had bound and copied into simple booklets for my sister and I to treasure.

In 2015, she passed away shortly after sharing these memoirs with us. Her written stories were evidence of her life, her love and her legacy. They were a comfort in my grief process and helped turn my pain into purpose. She was my inspiration to begin writing my own stories that I too will pass on to my daughter someday.

In 2017, I started a memoir writing group with a circle of friends. We wanted to capture who we are as women and highlight the important people, places and experiences of our lives. More than five years later, we are still writing and deeply bonded by our stories.

In 2019, I completed Beth Finke’s Master Teacher Training Program and went on to take more courses in how to write life stories, the art of memoir and storytelling for the stage. Most recently I completed coursework in written expression therapy for Trauma and PTSD and writing for grief, loss and healing.

By trade, I have worked for more than 25 years as an educator, coach and consultant in the field of health promotion/disease prevention for public/private sectors. I have experienced personally and witnessed in others, what the power of writing and sharing our stories can do for health and well-being. I currently reside in the North Shore of Chicago with my family trio, devoted dog and my growing stacks of mini memoirs.

I hope to see you writing!

Sarah Squires-Doyle