Spetz on Memoir, Memory, and the Stories We Least Expect to Tell

What begins as a handful of funny memories can sometimes become something much larger. In this episode of the Author Spotlight series, Shannon sits down with Spetz to talk about the unexpected journey behind his memoir, the creative process that shaped it, and how personal stories can unlock connection, reflection, and healing.

From Stories to Memoir

Spetz introduces himself with humility, saying, “I’m just a regular guy who can tell a decent story.” At first, he was focused on a different book he had been working on for more than fifteen years. But as he searched for character backstories, long-buried memories began resurfacing—especially the funny stories that had stayed with him over time.

“I said I should write these down because I need some backstories for some characters.” – Spetz

The Writing Process

For Spetz, writing first became a form of therapy. After sessions with his therapist, whom he affectionately calls “B,” he found himself putting thoughts and memories on the page. What started as a personal exercise slowly became the foundation for a much larger story.

Encouragement came from an unexpected place: AI-generated summaries that suggested his work had the shape and emotional weight of a memoir. That feedback helped Spetz see the project differently. He began revising with intention, adding detail, reshaping scenes, and expanding the original sixteen pages into a 170-page story.

Sharing the Work

One of the most vulnerable parts of writing a memoir is deciding who gets to read it first. Spetz speaks candidly about the fear of sharing deeply personal work with the people closest to him.

“There is a gap where people close to you, you don’t necessarily want to show this.” – Spetz

He recounts sending the manuscript to his sister and waiting through the silence that followed—a familiar kind of anxiety for anyone who has shared work rooted in real life. Support also arrived from unexpected places, including a work friend who read the proof copy and offered a reality check that opened the door to a meaningful conversation about the memoir’s content.

A Warm Reception

Through it all, Spetz has found comfort in the connections his writing has sparked. He shares a heartwarming moment with an old friend, remembering how a simple call brought the past back into focus.

Spetz’s journey from scattered memories to a completed memoir is a reminder that creativity often arrives sideways. Sometimes the stories we least expect to tell are the ones that need to be written most. Listen to the full episode to hear Spetz reflect on memoir, memory, therapy, vulnerability, and the surprising road from private stories to published work.