Planning to create Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Forever Young Autobiographies

How to make a timeline: What is a timeline + timeline example (plus free printable!)

Everything you need to know to create timelines and use an online timeline maker

As milestones come around I find it natural to reflect on the past.

However, over the decades, memories of such times become jumbled.

For example, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and more.

So when we are sitting down to create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project it is important to get dates and facts correct.

Certainly one of the best ways to do this is to make a timeline.

Plus timelines are wonderful ways to organise and stir up memories to record.

Read on to find out how to make a timeline …

Autobiography definition: Plus biography meaning and what a memoir means

Know what is an autobiography and how it differs to biography definition and memoir meaning

With children, especially little ones, you get used to second guessing the words they come out with.

For example, one cracker my daughter used to say was “it’s ice cubing” when it hailed.

Meanwhile, my son called kangaroos near our house “bop bobs”, after the way they jumped.

Indeed other words easily become interchangeable with proper versions.

And this can also be the case for how we define autobiography definition, biography definition and memoir definition.

So today I’m going to clear up the confusion with correct meanings …

Motivational quotes: Blitz writing blues with inspirational quotes

Positive quotes every life-story writer should read

We are fast approaching the second half of the year.

And I hope your life-story project goals are still on track?

Certainly by midyear our writing can naturally start to flag.

Therefore to help you sit down and create with renewed enthusiasm I’ve collected some motivational quotes from famous and new writers.

Indeed these follow on from other popular quote articles I have published about writer quotes and inspirational quotes.

So lets take a closer look to re-energise planning, creating, polishing and publishing an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Writing prompts: Who else wants story prompts + writing topics in 5 minutes?

The quick and easy way to do story writing prompts and story writing topics

Last year I was helping a teacher in one of my children’s classrooms (before coronavirus hit).

And he got the students doing dance moves to a five-minute song before starting a new lesson.

Firstly this struck me because we never did such fun things in my childhood classrooms!

Secondly because the activity was a super way to jump start the kids’ energy and creativity.

But did you know you can use writing prompts in much the same way before sitting down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project?

Certainly writing prompts can be a fun tool to try so let’s take a closer look …

Life story writing coach: 3 little-known ways they can help your story writing

What you need to know about using a story coach or author coach

I recently came across an interesting news story.

In short it said if an asteroid was heading towards Earth we were safe as long as we ‘nudged’ it slightly off course before it got too close.

Therefore it would change direction just enough to pass by our planet.

But leave the intervention too late and we would all be in for trouble!

And something similar can be said if we are struggling to sit down and create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

If we leave asking for help too long we might lose motivation and give up all together – disaster!

Indeed sometimes we need a little nudge from a coach to keep us on course.

So check out these three little-known ways a life story writing coach can help you today …

Memory recall: How to fast track remembering childhood memories + long-term memory retrieval

What every life-story writer ought to know about priming memory and remembering memories in 4 steps

First published September 27, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Memory recall is at the heart of all life-story writing.

But it can be challenging to remember back decades when sitting down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Certainly the brain is an amazing piece of engineering.

However, it is common for our memories to fade over time.

For example, I like to think of each memory as a sandy path to the beach.

And every time we remember a memory, the track gets a little more defined.

But if we stop recalling a memory, the track gets overgrown or blown away.

So today I go over four of the easiest ways to bring old memories back to the surface.

Penmanship: What you should know about handwriting and how to improve handwriting

The easy way to get beautiful handwriting and how to write neatly

First published August 23, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Penmanship could be considered a dying art in this internet-filled world.

But think how good it would be to receive a loved one’s life story written by hand?

And to know they touched the pages and wrote every word with you in mind.

Indeed this happened to a friend of mine.

After her grandmother’s death, the family found a life story written in an exercise book hidden in a top cupboard box.

Certainly a surprise find to be treasured!

So let’s find out why the magic of penmanship can be good for you and how to improve handwriting …

How does memory work? Your questions answered about what is memory and types of memory

Amazing facts about creating memories and where is memory stored in the brain

First published 20 September, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

How does memory work?

Certainly this is a question many ask as they sit down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

And it is a good query for many reasons.

Firstly, how can we talk or write about others, times and places if we have trouble remembering?

So in this article I’ve waded through scientific information to answer in plain English how does memory work.

Secondly, should we trust our memories when two people remember the same event differently?

Good writing: Writing tips on how to become a better writer (plus writing prompts free training)

4 amazing ways to overcome ‘bad writer’ fears and build writing confidence

First published July 12, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

I hear many people say they need to be a ‘good writer’ to start an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Or folks say they couldn’t possibly put pen to paper because they didn’t do well at school.

Indeed, for years I told myself this too when time and again my school work came back riddled with red-pen corrections.

However, I was lucky others encouraged and supported me to keep sitting down to write.

Now, as a long-time print editor and life-story coach, I’m here to do the same for you!

So keep reading for my top good writing tips (and free writing prompts training!) to help you start and continue recording life stories …

Music and memories: 3 song memory tricks to use while dancing up a storm!

Feel the beat with these writing ideas for musical memories

First published January 25, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Popular music festival Splendour would usually be held this time of year in Australia but it has been canceled because of coronavirus.

However, I know this is the case too for many Northern Hemisphere summer music festivals.

Certainly, at the moment, it’s hard for me not to think about seeing live music!

As a result, when I hear certain songs I saw in concert it gets me thinking: who was with me, what were we doing, when was this, where were we, how good was it?

Indeed, music is a wonderful way to stir up memories for your autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

So today I’m going to take a look at ways you can use it to get your memories flowing when you are planning or starting to write.

One, two, three… let’s feel the beat!