Today we’d like to introduce you to Karin Gutman.
Hi Karin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started with my Snoopy diary. I think I was drawn to writing initially as a form of self-care. It was my way of staying connected to my inner truth and voice.
I became a professional writer with an MFA degree and an eclectic mix of credits, including writing for animated television and teaching story structure at the university level. I now run my own business, Spirit of Story, where I guide people in discovering and writing their true, personal stories. I offer workshops and retreats and also work with many writers privately.
I first fell in love with the art of memoir producing a spoken word series, Spark Off Rose, in Los Angeles for 13 years. Each month we would invite seven people to write and perform their personal stories inspired by a particular theme. I began to notice how transformative this experience was for people who were writing and sharing about the things that matter most to them. At the same time, we were building community.
I have come to believe in the power of storytelling. This practice not only deepens our relationship to ourselves, but it also forges connections between each other as human beings and can open hearts and minds, something the world needs more of. To my mind, it is the highest gift we can offer.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For me, the biggest challenge is not coming from a line of entrepreneurs. Most of my family have pursued more mainstream careers – medicine, law, finance. So, I didn’t have any role models. But I have always followed my intuition and paved my own very organic path. And the truth is, there aren’t many people who do what I do, so in a way, I’m also helping to evolve a growing field and profession.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Unlocking Your Story workshops are now offered online—a shift I made when the pandemic hit. It has been exciting to have storytellers participating from all over, including Boston, Houston, Miami, Cleveland, and even the UK! As much as I miss some things about meeting in person, I’m thrilled that we’re continuing to build community in the virtual format, widening our circle of voices, and that the intimacy of the groups remains intact.
This creative writing space is ideal for those who want to dive deeply into their personal stories, peel back the layers, and make meaning from their life experiences. New writers find the groups invaluable as they start their journeys, and students have gone on to sell books to major publishers, including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan.
You can learn more by visiting spiritofstory.com.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
All the writers in my workshops who’ve bared their hearts and souls. They are my inspiration. I tell them all the time how honored and privileged I am to bear witness to their journeys and thank them for entrusting me as their guide.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spiritofstory.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spiritofstory/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karingutman.spiritofstory/
