Best 2020 writing advice about writing challenges, a life in pictures, dialogue + publishing a 100yo’s autobiography!
Recently I took some time out from my writing projects.
Firstly, I needed to focus on the Forever Young Autobiographies podcast launch (check out the show here!).
But also because 2020 has been one hell of a ride – I needed a break!
So as we hurtle into the back half of the year I thought it was time we re-energised our writing groove to keep working on our autobiographies, memoirs, biographies and other life-story projects.
Therefore to get you motivated I have gone back through this year’s articles for 2020 highlights.
So here are the best 2020 planning, writing, polishing and publishing posts you have been finding most popular and helpful …
Related article – How to start writing: The ultimate guide about planning to write life stories
Related article – Writing tips: The ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers
Writing challenge – part 1: Join in some stay-at-home Easter fun!
This Easter I’ve set you a fun ‘stay at home’ writing challenge to call a loved one and record their life story as a feature article.
Certainly you can do this solo or join forces with your children as an extra special lockdown project!
In this 2020 highlights article you will learn:
- How to get the life-story interview ball rolling
- What key questions to ask for this writing challenge
- How you can stay at home and still get family stories and memories percolating
- Look forward to interviewing and having fun with a loved one this Easter!
Related article – Life-story interview: How to set-up an interview + family interview tips
Related article – Your Family Stories system: Family stories + family history + much more!
Life in pictures: Make a life-story scrapbook album in 3 easy steps
A photo series or scrapbook album is a creative and expressive way to share memories!
Therefore, keep reading for tips on how to record a life in pictures for yourself or a loved one.
In this 2020 highlights article you will learn:
- Learn what images to pick for a life-in-pictures photo series
- Discover what makes a super scrapbook album caption
- Understand how ‘treasures’ can help make your life-in-pictures project layered and magical
- Have fun, be creative and scrapbook a life story today!
To clarify, this article was written for Scrapbook Campus
Related article – Book covers: How to create a memorable cover design
Related article – Story detail: Identifying key details in a story to make your autobiography shine
Dialogue like a pro: See how easily you can use speech marks and quotes in writing
Writing dialogue is a wonderful way to capture the essence of characters and the drama of memories.
In short, these tips will keep you safe, sound and out of the punctuation wilderness.
In this 2020 highlights you will learn:
- Learn what is dialogue and why we need speech marks
- See when to use different types of quotes
- Discover how to punctuate quotes correctly – even in sticky situations
- Stop stressing and enjoy writing dialogue!
Related article – Proofreading tips for revising and editing your writing
Related article – What a professional print sub-editor knows about editing autobiographies
2020 highlights – Case study: Secrets to writing my 100yo grandmother’s autobiography
It has taken my grandmother and I four years of planning, writing, polishing and publishing to finish her autobiography.
Certainly there have been some serious ups and downs along the way.
But the writing has been worth it.
Find out how we went from final draft to finished autobiography book in time for her 100th birthday last week during a global pandemic …
In this 2020 highlights article you will learn:
- What writing and editing techniques helped us compile an autobiography final draft
- The exact criteria I used to select a printer for my grandmother’s life story
- How life-threatening emergencies threatened telling family stories
- That writing is a journey that takes much commitment but brings enormous rewards!
Related article – Case study: Part 1 – Helping my grandmother, 98, write her autobiography
Related article – Case study: Part 2 – Helping to write the story of grandmother Bonnie, 99
Final say: 2020 highlights
In conclusion, the mid-year 2020 highlights from the Forever Young Autobiographies website will: show you how to interview a loved one, make a life-story scrapbook album, write dialogue like a pro, and tips for publishing a 100-year-old’s autobiography.
Therefore use these 2020 highlights to motivate you to keep pursuing your writing goals through to the end of the year!
Indeed every person’s life has meaning so make it your writing mission for the rest of 2020 to get yours or a loved one’s recorded.
Because writing in itself is a life-nurturing process.
And importantly it helps celebrate our lives, roles and achievements.
Happy writing!
Related article – Best of 2019: Writing tips + writing advice articles you read most this year
Similar article – Midyear 2019 highlights: Best of 2019 articles and writing tips for beginners
Related article – Valentines Day special: Best of 2018 articles you love
2020 highlights half-year deal!
Have these popular 2020 highlight articles revved you up to finish the year with a writing bang? For a limited time get the Setting Writing Goals Course for 25% off.
Don’t wait another half year ‘stop-starting’ on your manuscript!
In short, this course will help you record, share and celebrate life stories today.
Free gift!
Want to write a loved one’s life story just like I did for my grandma Bonnie? I show you how, step by step, in the Your Family Stories System. So check out the first few sections for free! Sign up here or fill in the form below.
Your say: 2020 highlights
Finally, what is your Forever Young Autobiographies article 2020 highlight? Above all, I always love hearing from different people. So drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
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This article first appeared on the website Forever Young Autobiographies.com.
