Steve Harper interviews Michelle Tamara Cutler, a storytelling coach and screenwriter, about the transformative power of storytelling in processing trauma. Cutler reflects on her essay about her aunt’s death, soon to be published in Huffington Post, and explores how journaling can serve as both a private outlet and a step toward collective healing. She shares insights from projects based on traumatic true stories, emphasizing the care required when transforming personal experiences into public narratives. Cutler also discusses her process with clients, focusing on the importance of resolution in storytelling and the balance between art and emotional healing.
In our fast-paced world, communication is key. Whether through the written word or a personal presentation, we rely on stories to convey our experiences, emotions, and messages. But what happens when the stories we need to tell are about trauma? How can we take those painful experiences and transform them into something meaningful, perhaps even healing?
Michelle Cutler, a storytelling coach and screenwriter, specializes in helping people craft their stories in ways that are powerful and impactful. In a recent conversation, she shared her insights on the delicate process of writing about trauma, and how it can be an essential part of personal growth.
One of the first points Michelle emphasized was the power of journaling. Writing privately can be the first step in processing difficult emotions. “I think that’s a crucial step,” she said. “It can be the only step that’s necessary. It doesn’t have to be something that you share.” She noted that journaling offers a space for individuals to express themselves freely without worrying about judgment or expectations.
It’s a process of letting go, much like Michelle experienced when she started journaling. “I just started keeping a journal about two months ago,” she shared. “And I’ve gotten into such a rhythm now that I look forward to doing it. It’s almost like talking to a friend.”
Writing in this way creates a safe environment for self-expression. It’s not about perfection or impressing others—it’s about purging emotions, updating your thoughts, and reflecting on your experiences. And for many, including Michelle herself, journaling can be the perfect space to allow healing to begin.
While journaling serves as a private practice, sharing your story with others can be transformative. Michelle has worked on many projects where individuals told their personal stories to the public, often through articles, books, or memoirs. She believes that once a person begins to process their trauma, sharing it can offer healing not just to themselves but to others as well.
“When you feel like you have a story that you want to take public,” Michelle said, “you realize it’s not just about you. There could be other people who benefit from hearing your story.”
She shared the example of her own essay, which is being published in Huffington Post. The piece is about a traumatic loss—the unexpected death of her aunt—and the long process of understanding and coming to terms with it. Michelle noted that sharing this experience publicly was both challenging and cathartic. “I look at it now as almost like a report. I did a lot of reporting, without even knowing it at the time. And I think that was part of my process.”
Michelle’s work often involves helping others share stories about deeply painful moments. She recalled a particularly difficult project in which she worked on a screenplay based on a woman’s traumatic experience. The woman had survived an attempt on her life by her mother, who had been suffering from a psychotic break. In this case, the woman had to confront and process the horrific event in order to tell her story.
While some stories are too raw to share immediately, Michelle explained that when individuals feel ready, the act of sharing can be incredibly healing. She described the process of working with the woman as one that required immense care. “It’s a very complicated story, but ultimately she chose to share it because she felt that it could help others,” Michelle explained.
The journey from private grief to public storytelling is a delicate one. Michelle encourages those who wish to share their stories to consider the potential impact on themselves and others. “You have to ask yourself, ‘Is this helpful for me and for the people involved?’ If you feel it is, then sharing can be incredibly powerful.”
Michelle also spoke about the line between therapy and storytelling. Writing about trauma can be therapeutic, but turning that raw experience into art requires time and distance. “You have to be at a certain point in your healing before you can turn your pain into a narrative that has longevity,” she explained.
When Michelle wrote about her aunt’s death, she didn’t feel ready to share the story until several years after the event. “I wrote about it in 2019 or 2020, but it happened back in 2012. At the time, I wasn’t prepared to write about it. I took photographs, I wrote in my journal, but I wasn’t ready to form it into a coherent story.”
This highlights an important point: trauma stories don’t need to have a clear resolution right away. The process of writing can be part of that resolution. Michelle advised that writers should let the story marinate and allow themselves the time to heal before attempting to share it with the world.
One of the challenges of writing about trauma is the potential for criticism. When you share a deeply personal story, you open yourself up to public scrutiny. Michelle shared her experiences working with writers who have faced harsh comments and judgment. “The comments section can be brutal,” she said, highlighting the importance of having a thick skin when sharing sensitive material.
Despite these potential challenges, Michelle believes that sharing traumatic stories can spark important conversations. “Sometimes you don’t know the impact of your story until it’s out there,” she said. “And it can open up a dialogue that you hadn’t even considered.”
The conversation ended with a reflection on the importance of writing as a tool for growth and understanding. Writing about trauma can be a transformative experience, whether it’s done privately in a journal or shared publicly with others. It’s a way to process complex emotions, learn from difficult experiences, and find healing.
Michelle’s work exemplifies the profound impact storytelling can have on both the storyteller and the audience. As she said, “You have to wonder, why did we go through this journey with you if we come away not being changed in some way?” Writing about trauma, when done thoughtfully, has the power to change lives, including your own.
For those who are ready to turn their pain into something meaningful, Michelle’s advice is clear: take your time, be gentle with yourself, and remember that the process of writing and sharing can help you heal and grow. See how you can work with Michelle on her website.