In the spring of 2012, Melba Payne wrote a story as part of an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute class on how to turn family and life stories into magazine articles. Almost a year later, a phone call surprised her: Payne's story had been chosen for publication by the Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology collections. 

Lavania Fritz had a similar experience after the same class, although hers happened over a matter of days, rather than months. After presenting her story at a writer's conference with several of her OLLI classmates, Fritz was encouraged to rush her story to On Our Own: Widowhood for Smarties, and two days later she learned that it would be included in the book. 

"The Together Tree" recalls the story of Payne and her husband Mike's experience of their first Christmas away from home as a newly married couple.  Mike had been stationed through his position in the U.S. Air Force, Melba was expecting a child, and the approaching Christmas season stirred pangs of homesickness. As the young couple looked at their bare Christmas tree, they got the idea to ask friends and family to send cards and letters. They turned the cards into decorations for the tree, and in that way, were able to be with loved ones that Christmas.

Fritz shared a highly personal story as well. "When We Became I" chronicles Fritz's experiences upon visiting the property on which she and her newly deceased husband had been planning to retire. Overwhelmed by emotions, she described the poignant moments when she realized that her life would not be the same without her husband. 

Both Fritz and Payne credit two OLLI classes with helping them organize, format and edit their life stories in a way that gave voice to their experiences.  Both classes, taught by Marilyn Collins, encouraged class members to dig deep into their memories and allow stories and feelings to surface. 

Class participants went a step further, learning how to edit, develop consistent voice and search for outlets for publication. Fritz praises Collins for her guidance and encouragement in a very personal project. 

"Marilyn is always positive and very encouraging," Fritz said. "She makes everyone feel good about what they're doing and gives them the tools to continue." 

Fritz described how OLLI, and Collins' class in particular, helped her to find a positive place during a difficult time in her life after her husband's passing. 

"She (Collins) is a good friend and mentor," Fritz said. "OLLI gave me direction during a directionless time."

Payne said that she writes more now as a result of her experiences with the OLLI classes and will probably submit for publication again.  She enjoys the creative outlet, as well as her new identity as a writer. 

"I was a kindergarten teacher, not a writer," she mused. "It's a different experience that I hadn't gotten before." 

She mentioned one of the most rewarding aspects of writing as being able to express herself in written word so that somebody else can enjoy it. And with her piece now part of the Chicken Soup for the Soul collection, many people certainly will.

Collins is teaching "Turn Your Family's Legacy into a Story" as part of OLLI's fall 2013 course offerings. For more information, visit olli.uark.edu or call 575-4545. 

Payne's story will appear in the Chicken Soup for the Soul's upcoming Christmas anthology, available in October (Simon & Schuster, 2013). Fritz's story is available in On Our Own:  Widowhood for Smarties (Silver Boomer Books, 2012). 

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a research and service unit of the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas.