Tips for new creators Archives - Forever Young Autobiographies

Feature article: Helping you create a life story super fast!

Amazing reasons why you should write a feature story

A feature article is the surefire trick to creating a whole life story super fast!

As a print journalist and life-story coach I have written many over the years.

So I know how powerful and far reaching they can be to preserve, celebrate and share life stories in no time.

Unlike a full-blown autobiography, creating a feature article about your life or a loved one’s life has many advantages…

Transcription: How to quickly create life stories using voice-typing tools

Painlessly transcribe life stories with Rev transcription, Google Voice Typing, oTranscribe and more

My transcription shorthand teacher at journalism school started class with a precise English accent, a box of chalk and a silver stopwatch.

Certainly it was grueling work getting faster each week to crack 100 words a minute.

But today alternatives for the recording and transcription of interviews are mind-boggling.

Most importantly they can help us save time and make creating life stories easier…

Story setting: What is a story setting and setting examples

Don’t do the setting of a story before reading this!

A key foundation for all good life stories is setting.

Indeed settings can create mood for your project.

Plus they help introduce characters into a story.

So let’s find out about different types of settings and how to get started…

Genetic memory: Does your life story include genetic memory examples?

How to understand genetic memory theory

I recently read comedian Magda Szubanski’s Reckoning: A Memoir in which she brings up genetic memory.

In short, she had an inkling she carried some of her Irish ancestors’ memories.

And felt like she had ‘come home’ when visiting Ireland for the first time.

But is genetic memory just a theory or is there more to it?

How to start a book: 4 simple ways to start a book today

What a writing coach wants you to know about how to start a memoir or life story

Kids where I grew up would often visit an old water-filled quarry to swim.

Here we would scale the rock walls and jump, flip and dive for hours.

Certainly the first jump was scary but sooner or later we all faced our fears and took the plunge.

Indeed writing can also feel scary in the beginning but keep reading for my top four ways on how to start a book.

So let’s dive in!

Moving Memories: Talking family videos with video producer Nicola Kane

How life-story videos and family history videos can save family memories

Last week I had the pleasure to connect with Moving Memories founder Nicola Kane.

Nicola lives in New Zealand and is a fellow life-story coach and YouTuber.

However, her specialty is helping families and businesses create stories through video.

So read on to find out what makes this format attractive for your next life-story project …

Lessons learnt: See how easily life lessons can be included in a life story

Amazing secrets about sharing important life lessons learned

The concept of lessons learnt is a powerful reason to start a life-story project.

Indeed this week in Australia people stopped to mark Anzac Day and remember servicemen and women who died in the line of duty.

Most importantly at services we say “lest we forg et“, which reminds us not to forget past sacrifices.

Certainly this phrase is apt for memorial days but it can also be a motivator to create a life story.

Memory palaces: What you should know about mnemonic memory palaces

Ask Nicola Q&A: How to understand mind palaces and the method of loci

G’day and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I’m asked many questions about planning, writing, polishing and publishing.

And in this Q&A series my responses aim to help life-story creators!

So today’s question is: “What are memory palaces for your mind?”

Life story challenge: Thanksgiving games and Christmas games to play with family

Ask Nicola Q&A: Amazing ways to record family stories this holiday season

Hello and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I’m asked lots of questions around planning, writing, polishing and publishing.

And in this Q&A series my answers set out to help new writers!

So this Ask Nicola edition begins with the question:

Can you please suggest Thanksgiving games or Christmas games that involve family stories?

Firstly, fantastic you want to record stories for family, friends and future generations!

Next let me introduce a fun life-story challenge for the upcoming holidays …

Red Sneaker Writers podcast: Talking life stories with a New York Times bestselling author

The Red Sneaker Writers podcast (left) and host William Bernhardt (right). Photos by William Bernhardt.

Sharing quick and easy writing advice with William Bernhardt on his writing podcast

It was my pleasure to recently be a guest on the Red Sneaker Writers podcast.

The popular show covers the latest news from the publishing world and includes interviews with top authors, agents, editors and other professionals.

And it is hosted by the New York Times bestselling novelist William Bernhardt who is the author of over 50 books, most recently Exposed (Splitsville Legal Thriller Series Book 2).

Indeed I had a fantastic conversation with Bernhardt about sitting down to write life stories. (Listen or watch the podcast here!)

So in today’s article I’m highlighting some of the key topics we talked about such as: my top tip for writers, being a ‘planner or a pantster’, and how to get started creating a life story.

Now let’s jump in …