Tell the truth: The surefire way to out skeletons in the closet

Tell the truth: The surefire way to out skeletons in the closet. A woman in black holds an orange pumpkin in both hands. Photo by Kristina Paukshtite from Pexels

How to write truthfully, types of truth and truth definition

Tell the truth: this is easy to understand but difficult to execute, especially over decades and across generations.

So as Halloween looms, I’m asking do you have skeletons in the closet?

Are there ‘truths’ that should be outed and included in your life-story creating?

And what is the definition of truth and the different types of truth anyway?

I answer all these questions in today’s article.

So grab your vampire fangs or witch’s outfit and let’s take a walk on the wild side.

Continue reading Tell the truth: The surefire way to out skeletons in the closet

Funny stories: See how easily you can be humorous and write a funny story

Funny stories: See how easily you can be humorous and write a funny story. Man laughs while working on a silver laptop while seated cross-legged on a wooden floor. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Ask Nicola Q&A: How to be funny and write humorous stories in 3 simple steps

Hi and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I get lots of questions about all stages of writing.

And in this Q&A series my answers aim to help writers just like you!

So this Ask Nicola article starts with the query:

I want my book to be funny! I need some writing techniques. Can you help?

First, that’s fantastic you are ready to sit down and record your life for family, friends and future generations!

Second, warm-up your cheeky side and let’s jump into how to create a funny story …

Continue reading Funny stories: See how easily you can be humorous and write a funny story

How to write a good story: The flashback, parts of a story and reflective writing

How to write a good story: The flashback, parts of a story and reflective writing. Clearly know how to write a good story for your readers. Photo byanna-m. weber from Pexels

3 more writing techniques to make your writing captivating (AKA not boring!)

Who doesn’t love a story that hooks your attention from start to finish?

However, you might think you can’t tell a great yarn to save yourself, let alone write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Firstly, there is no one better qualified to sit down and record your life than you!

Second, if you are writing for friends and family they are on your side and naturally interested.

The other week I covered three ways to make writing more captivating.

Indeed that article was very popular so today I’m going over more writing techniques to keep your audience reading from start to finish!

Continue reading How to write a good story: The flashback, parts of a story and reflective writing

Realign writing goals: 5 things to remember to reboot writing dreams

Realign writing goals: 5 things to remember to reboot writing dreams. Barefoot woman writes in notebook while relaxing on grass. Photo by last19 from iStock

Amazing goal attainment secrets of a life-story writing coach

Who else is enjoying the cooler months of winter?

Certainly here in Australia we have just had an ‘arctic blast‘.

But it has been the perfect excuse to curl up and do more planning, creating, polishing and publishing!

And it has also been a good time to look back over writing goals set in the new year.

So this week I’m asking: Are you on track to hit your goals or have you forgotten them?

Next let’s examine five things we can do to reset and realign writing goals for our autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story projects.

Continue reading Realign writing goals: 5 things to remember to reboot writing dreams

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

Writing characters: If you've already tried creating characters, don't read this. It'll break your heart. Smiling mother wearing a white hat holds up a happy baby while at the beach. Photo by PublicDomainPictures/ 17903 images from Pixabay

Quick and easy ways to character build, write character traits and show not tell

I love Mother’s Day and not just because I am one!

It is an important time of the year. 

Certainly mums shape our character, especially when we are young.

And in turn they can also shape the way we care for our children and grandchildren.

So as you sit down to create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project think about how to portray characters like VIP mums.

Next, keep reading as I show you ideas for creating characters that sparkle …

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

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

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

Everything you need to know to write about the birth of a child or giving birth

At this time of year my family finishes a mega run of birthdays.

And coupled with Easter recently it has felt like a time of new beginnings.

As a result, this got me thinking about how we sit down to record birth stories in our autobiographies, memoirs, biographies and other life story projects.

Obviously an autobiography by its very definition requires a birth story!

But there are other births we can record such as parents, siblings, children or grandchildren.

So in this article I’m going to go over key information you might like to include when recording birth stories …

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What makes a good story: Dialogue writing, suspense writing and other writing techniques

What makes a good story: Dialogue writing, suspense writing and other writing techniques. A man holds a sparkler while silhouetted against a sky of fireworks. Photo by Rakicevic Nenad from Pexels

How to make your writing more captivating (AKA not boring!) in 3 steps

When I’m talking too much my husband gives me a smile and a hurry-along signal.

Indeed sometimes we all tell a story with too much background information or detail and the other person is waiting for us to get to the point.

Of course a conversation like this can be boring and so too can a life story.

So what makes a good story and what writing techniques can we use when we sit down to create to keep our audience’s attention?

Keep reading to find out … I promise to get straight to the point!

Continue reading What makes a good story: Dialogue writing, suspense writing and other writing techniques

Life-story format ideas: See how easily you can record family stories or a life history

Life-story format ideas: See how easily you can record family stories or a life history. A stack of three pastel-coloured books nestled between a pair of black headphones. Photo by Stas Knop from Pexels

Ways you ought to know to gather your family stories and family history

Easter this year was much better than Easter 2020 when most of the world was in lockdown.

Certainly coronavirus outbreaks are still occurring but the situation is improving now vaccines are being distributed.

But COVID-19 has reminded us to appreciate our freedom, health, family and friends like never before.

So this week I’m encouraging everyone to record family stories.

Because life changes so fast and we never know what we are up for next!

Therefore read on to discover super life-story format ideas.

Continue reading Life-story format ideas: See how easily you can record family stories or a life history

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

How to write a story: Burning questions about inspirational stories, writing tips + writing mistakes. A person wearing black-and-white sneakers stands in front of the word 'start' chalked onto a bitumen road. Photo by Ann H from Pexels

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 …

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

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

Critique partner: Don't find writing critique partners before reading this! Two children jump and play in the ocean. Photo by Kasuma from Pexels

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 …

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