Hello, I’m Michelle Johnson, third generation English teacher, author of fiction and writer of nonfiction projects. I am forever interested in meeting new people and learning about their personal histories. Real-life anecdotes are often better than fiction! 

I am a StoryWay guide because it is important to record a sincere narrative. Can you imagine Thomas Jefferson listening to a contemporary conversation among historians about his life? Some facts could be proven, but the reality is some stories would be pure fiction and could completely disagree with his point of view. Your story is equally significant to your family. Leave a legacy in your own words to permanently settle future misconceptions. 

My personal favorite story moments include challenges my paternal Irish grandparents faced immigrating to America and the love story of how my maternal grandparents met as a result of the events of World War II. When I am not writing, I spend time gardening, collecting eggs from my hens to share with others, and waking to the sounds of Elvis, my alarm-rooster. I enjoy being at any golf course with my Air Force brat husband, Keith. We both love baseball so much we named our Irish setter, Millie, after Millie Warsaw who played third base for the Rockford Peaches. You may remember the team from the movie A League of Their Own (1992).

I would be honored to help you record your family story from your point of view. History should come from genuine stories of struggle and triumph to inspire future generations.  I don’t believe everyone has walked three miles uphill in the snow to get to school. We need to document, as Paul Harvey said, “the rest of the story.”