The Story You'Re Afraid To Tell

Writing With Truth, Courage, and Power

What you'll learn

Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt in Writing

Write Authentically Without Seeking Approval

Craft Compelling and Meaningful Stories

Shape, Structure, and Own Your Story

Requirements

No prior writing experience needed. This course works for all levels from beginner to professional.

Description

This course helps writers overcome fear, silence self-doubt, and craft meaningful personal stories that resonate with both themselves and their readers. It begins by addressing resistance to writing vulnerable stories, guiding students to confront fears of judgment, self-doubt, and emotional exposure (Module 1). Through reflection and freewriting exercises, students identify the stories they are most afraid to tell and learn why these narratives matter.  Next, the course empowers writers to embrace honesty without seeking approval, helping them silence their inner critic and navigate external judgment (Module 2). By writing for themselves first, they build confidence in their voice and develop a deeper connection to their work.  In Module 3, students discover how to make their stories truly resonate by focusing on specificity and identifying defining moments. They explore how small details create universal impact, making their narratives more engaging and emotionally powerful.  Module 4 shifts to story structure, helping writers connect life themes, shape their experiences into compelling narratives, and strengthen storytelling through open and closed loops.  Finally, the course explores storytelling as transformation, distinguishing between writing for personal healing versus publication. Writers leave with a fully-formed idea of the story they once feared to tell, ready to share or refine further (Module 5).

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Section 2: Facing the Story You Fear

Lecture 2 Why the Story That Scares You is the One You Must Write

Lecture 3 Understanding Fear—Judgment, Vulnerability, and Self-Doubt

Section 3: Giving Yourself Permission to Write Honestly

Lecture 4 Writing for Yourself First (Not for Approval)

Lecture 5 Handling Judgment—From Others and Yourself

Section 4: Crafting Stories That Matter

Lecture 6 The Power of Specificity—How Small Details Create Universal Impact

Lecture 7 Finding the Moments That Define Your Story

Section 5: Structuring & Shaping Your Story

Lecture 8 How to Connect the Dots—Finding Themes in Your Life

Lecture 9 Opening and Closing Story Loops—Making Your Narrative Stronger

Section 6: Rewriting Yourself—The Power of Storytelling

Lecture 10 Writing for Healing vs. Writing for Publishing

Lecture 11 The Final Word—Owning Your Voice, Owning Your Story

Section 7: Final Thoughts

Lecture 12 Final Thoughts

People who want to write their life story with truth, courage, and confidence.