Forever Young Autobiographies

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 …

Book review: Walkley award-winning Fallen by investigative journalist Lucie Morris-Marr

Learn about the secret trial and conviction of Cardinal George Pell with this Allen & Unwin read

Kicking off this year’s book reviews is Fallen: The inside story of the secret trial and conviction of Cardinal George Pell by Lucie Morris-Marr.

This book was published by Allen & Unwin in 2019 and won Australia’s 2020 Walkley Awards Book Award.

Morris-Marr broke the story that the third most senior Catholic cleric was being investigated by police for historic sex crimes against children.

And the journalist was in court when ‘God’s treasurer’ was found guilty.

Indeed it was a conviction that sent ripples around the world (and again when quashed by the High Court of Australia last year).

So keep reading to find out more about this historic case and Morris-Marr’s Fallen.

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

Amazing secrets about what does theme mean and writing themes

“What is a theme? Why do I need one,” you may ask when starting an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Indeed themes can sound like a writing technique for ‘fancy’ authors or blockbuster movies.

But pause and think before you sit down to write …

Certainly we encounter themes almost every day.

For example, at parties, restaurants and in advertising.

And believe it or not we tell stories to ourselves and others based around themes.

So let’s take a look at theme definition, why we need writing themes, theme examples, and much more.

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?

Best of 2020: Best articles of 2020 about writing advice + writing tips

Best 2020 highlights on using music and memories, writing painful stories, online writing tools and new podcast

The end of a crazy 12 months is nearly here and what a year 2020 has been!

Indeed I’m counting my blessings that my family and I will be allowed interstate to see my parents for the first time in over a year.

So I’ll be taking a break from the website until the new year to relax and get ready for more writ i ng in 2021.

But before I head off I’m leaving you with the best of 2020 articles from Forever Young Autobiographies.

These have been read hundreds of times because they are helpful to plan, write, polish and publish an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Certainly take a read over the next few weeks while you switch off and savour the holiday period.

OK let’s jump in …

Best life stories of 2020: Award-winning books to read this holiday season

What books a life-story coach is reading and reviewing into 2021

If you want to be a better writer try reading a book.

And if you want to be a truly better writer read the best books!

Indeed that’s the mission I’ve set myself for the latest Forever Young Autobiographies life-story reading list.

The best life stories of 2020 list features writers from Australia, United Kingdom and the USA.

And it includes first-time writers and bestsellers.

Plus the best bit is I’ll be writing a review for each book during 2021 with tips to help us all when we sit down to write.

So dive in and take a look at what autobiographies, memoirs, biographies and other life-stories made the cut for the best life stories of 2020 …

Book review: New York Times Best Seller The Yellow House by Sarah M Broom

A quick and easy review of the Grove Press memoir set in New Orleans East

The Yellow House by Sarah M Broom rounds out the Forever Young Autobiographies book review series for the year.

And what a way to finish!

This bestselling memoir was put out in 2019 by Grove Press and tells the story of many people, many families but one house – the Yellow House.

Indeed Broom’s family home in New Orleans East became the centrepoint of many worlds from the 1960s to its drawn-out demise after Hurricane Katrina.

Most notably the story won the National Book Awards 2019 for Nonfiction, was a New York Times Best Seller and named one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2019.

So let’s find out more about Broom, The Yellow House and what we can takeaway as life-story writers …

How to document family stories: This might be the best way in 4 steps!

Everything you should know about recording your family stories and family history (plus Black Friday 2020 deal!)

One of the most popular questions I am asked as a life-story writer is how to document family stories?

And the answer is there are many different approaches!

However, I’ve come up with a simple system after many years as a journalist interviewing and sitting down to write different people’s stories.

Most importantly this system is fun, rewarding and repeatable!

Furthermore, these steps are perfect if you want to record family stories for key events or any time of the year.

And they make a great foundation to start other life-story projects like an autobiography, memoir or biography.

So let’s take a look at four steps to document family stories (and keep reading for a great Black Friday 2020 deal on the Your Family Stories System!) …