Midyear 2021 highlights: Best of 2021 articles and writing tips for beginners

Midyear 2021 highlights: Best of 2021 articles and writing tips for beginners. A man reading a book sits in a camp chair beside rock pools as the sun sets. Photo by Eyüp Belen from Pexels

Best 2021 writing advice about autobiography definition, what is theme, birth stories and more!

Recently I had some time away from my life-story projects.

Firstly, I was working on a new and exciting development for Forever Young Autobiographies. (More on this later in the year!)

Second, it was good to rest, connect with family and take stock of the year so far.

This included noting what website articles you have been reading and loving!

So here is a quick recap of the most-read articles this year for planning, creating, polishing and publishing a life story.

Certainly I’m sure you will find these 2021 highlights helpful to sit down and create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

2021 highlights – Autobiography definition: Plus biography meaning and what a memoir means

The words autobiography, biography and memoir (plus other terms) often get interchanged willy-nilly.

But what’s the difference and does it matter?

Midyear 2021 highlights -Autobiography definition: Plus biography meaning and what a memoir means. A lone red tulip blooms in a field of budding tulips. Photo João Jesus from Pexels


So in this 2021 highlights article you will learn:

  • What exactly is autobiography meaning
  • The difference between autobiography and biography
  • How to define memoir
  • Know what type of life story to choose and write!

Click to read

Related article – Best of 2020: Best articles of 2020 about writing advice + writing tips

Coaching Calls Forever Young Autobiographies. Open hand outstretched over sparkling water.

What is theme? Get theme definition and theme examples without the work

Asking what is theme can seem a scary question.

But theme definition is actually easy to answer: it’s a message you want to get across to your audience.

Midyear 2021 highlights - What is theme? Get theme definition and theme examples without the work. Two young girls crouching in a forest throw autumn leaves in the air. Photo by Michael Morse from Pexels


So in this 2021 highlights article you will learn:

  • What is theme meaning
  • Why you need writing themes
  • What is an example of a theme plus list of themes
  • How to pick the theme of a story
  • Slice through confusion to easily understand theme meaning and choose book themes!

Click to read

Related article – Midyear 2020 highlights: Best of 2020 articles and writing tips for beginners

Birth stories: How to write birth, baby and pregnancy stories 

Birth stories have to be one of my favourite topics to write about.

Certainly I am always amazed by the anecdotes, connections and coincidences that are uncovered.

Birth stories: How to write birth, baby and pregnancy stories. A father bends down to hug a toddler at the beach. Photo by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels


So in this 2021 highlights article you will learn:

  • Helpful research sources for childbirth stories
  • Ideas to start writing about a pregnancy or childbirth
  • How to write about having a baby and labour stories
  • Writing tips to finish a birth experience story
  • Write a baby story that captivates readers!

Click to read

Related article – Best of 2019: Writing tips + writing advice articles you read most this year

Related article – Writing characters: If you’ve already tried creating characters, don’t read this. It’ll break your heart

Case study: She Writes Press memoir The Red Kitchen by Barbara Clarke 

For International Women’s Day we took a close look at Barbara Clarke’s The Red Kitchen published by She Writes Press.

In short, the intimate memoir depicts change and discovery between mum and daughter — and how it’s never too late to come of age.

Case study: She Writes Press memoir The Red Kitchen by Barbara Clarke. Book cover of The Red Kitchen by Barbara Clarke, She Writes Press, and a portrait photo of Clarke.


So in this 2021 highlights article you will learn:

  • How the Bellingham author started the new book
  • Who supported her on this writing journey
  • The challenges and rewards of writing the new memoir
  • Clarke’s top writing tips for new writers
  • Discover it is OK to take your time and let a memoir evolve!

Click to read

Related article – Midyear 2019 highlights: Best of 2019 articles and writing tips for beginners

Final say: 2021 highlights

I recently took a life-story break, in part, to work on a big upcoming Forever Young Autobiographies project.

But it was also a chance to look back at popular website articles hundreds of you have been reading so far this year.

For example, this includes 2021 highlights about: autobiography definition, what is theme, writing birth stories, and Barbara Clarke on writing her memoir The Red Kitchen.

Indeed, I hope these most-read articles will help you start, create and finish a life story this year.

Certainly, it doesn’t matter if it is long or short, just that you find the time and energy to succeed.

Happy writing!

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