March 2021 - Forever Young Autobiographies

How to write a story: Burning questions about inspirational stories, writing tips + writing mistakes

Ask Nicola Q&A: How to write a story for beginners who want to write well

How to write a story is the most common query I am asked as a life-story coach.

So to kick off this year’s Ask Nicola series, I’m highlighting six readers’ questions that deal with this theme!

They include how to create inspirational stories, writing tips, good writing ideas, writing mistakes, writing problems and the process of writing a book.

Certainly these questions and responses will help you plan, create, polishing and publishing an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Now let’s dive in and learn how to write a story …

Case study: Daughter’s podcast with her 83yo poet laureate dad

Creative memoir of emeritus professor of English Eugene B. Redmond

This week I have a radically honest and touching case study to share with you!

It is the story of how Dr Treasure Shields Redmond started a podcast with her well-known father Dr Eugene B. Redmond, age 83.

The show, The Memoir My Dad Wouldn’t Write, began in 2018 and has no topics off limits.

“It is a limited series of conversations between a daughter and a father about the things that make us family and the items in my dad’s life that have helped to shape who he is today,” Treasure said.

“You know he has had this incredible life as a cultural worker, poet, professor, activist and mentor but he wouldn’t write a memoir.

“So this podcast is a way to get those conversations onto tape and to find out exactly what shaped this incredible, complex – and far from perfect – man that I love.”

Let’s discover more about this fascinating life-story project plus Treasure’s tips for doing something similar of your own …

Critique partner: Don’t find writing critique partners before reading this!

Amazing tips and ways to find a super writing buddy + writing partner

I used to do a lot of ocean swimming.

This involved getting up early and swimming across a calm bay behind the beach break.

Certainly I could have done this alone.

But I rarely did because I’d imagined sharks out the corner of my eye while I swam!

Instead I went with a buddy each week and loved it.

However, writing can be a bit like this too.

Certainly sitting down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project can put you on edge.

Indeed sometimes you need someone by your side to take the plunge and keep going.

And that is where a writing critique partner can help …

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

What author Clarke wants you to know about writing her latest life story

In the lead up to International Women’s Day we are this week taking a close look at Barbara Clarke’s The Red Kitchen published by She Writes Press.

The intimate memoir, due out April 6, depicts change and discovery between mum and daughter — and how it’s never too late to come of age.

Previously Clarke published an indie memoir, Getting to Home: Sojourn in a Perfect House, about the process of building a house as a single woman.

And she has also written for corporate clients, trade magazines, worked under a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant, nonprofit organisations, plus local and alternative newspapers.

So let’s find out more about Clarke’s new book, the writing process and her tips for fellow life-story writers …