I’m Deb Winters LeBarge, founder of High Desert Raven Writing and a certified Guided Autobiography (GAB) group facilitator since November 2020.
What’s Guided Autobiography, you ask? Think of it as storytelling with a purpose—a method developed by Dr. James Birren over 40 years to help people unearth their life stories, reflect on pivotal moments, and connect through shared experiences.
I first discovered GAB while trying to make sense of my own messy, beautiful, and often hilariously unpredictable life. (Spoiler alert: I still don’t have it all figured out, but at least I’ve learned to laugh about it.) GAB taught me that every stumble, triumph, and “what was I thinking?” moment holds the power to reveal something meaningful—and maybe even funny—about who we are.
In January 2021, I founded High Desert Raven Writing to help others discover the magic of Guided Autobiography. Built on The Raven’s Method—a simple, four-step approach to storytelling: Unearth, Reflect, Connect, and Transform—our goal is to make storytelling approachable, meaningful, and yes, even fun. Whether you’re diving into life themes, reflecting on pivotal moments, or piecing together the hilarious and head-scratching decisions that brought you here, it’s all about embracing the journey.
Why the Raven, you ask? In many cultures, ravens symbolize transformation, introspection, and wisdom—qualities that resonate deeply with the process of Guided Autobiography. They’re also a little mischievous, which feels right when you’re diving into the unexpected twists and turns of life. For me, the raven is a guide, encouraging us to look closer, dig deeper, and see our stories in new and meaningful ways.
Between July 2021 and now, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on life’s changes and how those shifts shaped me. From personal decisions to a period of introspection, I found myself following my own version of The Raven’s Method—unearthed old memories, reflected on what I’d learned, connected some dots I hadn’t seen before, and transformed into someone a little wiser (or at least more aware of why I can’t seem to stop making impulsive decisions). During that time, I also relocated again, which proved to be yet another opportunity to apply the Raven’s guidance—sometimes gracefully, sometimes with a few bumps along the way. But I learned to embrace change, laugh at the unpredictability, and discover meaning in the chaos.
I’ve been working hard to prepare workshops, develop writing exercises, and connect with people who are ready to explore their stories. My dream is to build a thriving writing center where people of all ages (but mostly those 55 and older) can come together, share their stories, and create something lasting.
When I’m not working on High Desert Raven Writing, you’ll find me sipping a cold Pepsi, dodging algebra problems, or trying (and failing) to toast marshmallows without setting them on fire. (Life lesson: not everything goes according to plan, but it still tastes good in the end.)
Here’s the thing: life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but it does come with stories—and every story matters. Through GAB, I’ve learned that even the smallest moments can hold big insights, and that laughter is often the best way to process life’s chaos. My mission is to help others embrace their stories, connect the dots between where they’ve been and where they’re heading, and maybe share a few laughs along the way.
So, whether you’re here to write a chapter, reflect on a theme, or just see what all the raven talk is about, I hope High Desert Raven Writing becomes a part of your journey.
Let’s get writing,
Deb Winters LeBarge
Founder, Facilitator, Raven Enthusiast (and occasional marshmallow arsonist)