You are a Story: Memoir & Illinois Novelists

The big questions we all ask at some point in our lives—Who am I? Why am I here? What does it all mean?—are often explored through philosophy, poetry, and psychology.

This workshop examines how writing memoirs, telling our own stories, and recording our lives can help us search for those same answers. Drawing inspiration from two Illinois novelists, Ray Bradbury and Ernest Hemingway, we’ll see how even fiction can be deeply autobiographical and how their approaches to storytelling can guide us in writing our own.

The presentation is divided into three interactive parts: personal identity, reflections becoming reality, and learning as transformation.

June 27, 2026
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Howard Rutan Meeting Room

Based in Montgomery, IL

Dr. Aaron J. Lawler is a professor of humanities at Waubonsee Community College with nearly 25 years of experience as an educator. He is a researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum and a speaker for Illinois Humanities. He serves on five boards: Kaneland D302 School Board, Chicago WTTW Channel 11, Illinois Historical Society, 3:11 Project, and the Apiquian Scholarship Foundation. Additionally, he is a lifelong member of the National Geographic Society, and a classically trained painter.

Aaron has dedicated his personal and professional lives to the humanities as a thinker, a writer, an artist, and a lover of culture and expression. He is married to his best friend and has been with her for 25 years. He has two amazing kids and loves to read, travel, and find rare vinyls whenever he can.

This program is made possible through a partnership with Illinois Humanities.

The Library is committed to making programs accessible to all. If you would like an accommodation, please email the Community Relations Administrator at btruscelli@danvillepubliclibrary.org or call 217-477-5220 ext. 111.