Forever Young Autobiographies

Chapters: 3 questions answered about book chapters

How to make chapters + master chapter length

During quarantine periods many of my friends and family have been doing puzzles.

This has included small puzzles and huge ‘take-over-the-kitchen-table’ style jigsaws.

Indeed, for some, puzzles have become a source of daily addiction!

When we write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project we ‘piece together’ a story just like doing a puzzle.

Certainly, as we move through the planning, writing, polishing and publishing phases chapters become the puzzle pieces that connect to reveal our greater life story.

So before you sit down to write again discover the importance of chapters for you and your reader …

Book launch: A toast to 8 book party tips to try

Super book launch ideas + book launch party suggestions

What’s the next best thing after finishing your autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project?

Holding a book launch party to celebrate!

Certainly finishing a book is a momentous achievement and definitely deserves to be shared and enjoyed.

Coronavirus has put a dampener on parties, as I recently found out firsthand with my grandmother’s book.

But a celebration of some description (while observing health restrictions) should definitely be entertained after all the time spent sitting down to write and navigating the planning, writing, polishing and planning phases.

So let’s get this party started with eight top book launch tips …

Edit: The ultimate guide to polishing your writing

What every life-story writer ought to know about revising and editing

I like gardening, specifically pruning.

Hacking into overgrown trees and shrubs with a pair of loppers is just so satisfying!

However, when these ‘flowery’ limbs are paragraphs in your life-story project it gets a bit more difficult.

Indeed, often we are attached to our writing or are confused about what parts need work or culling.

But just like a wildly overgrown garden, a first draft definitely needs taming.

Therefore, in this ultimate guide I show you how to sit down to edit and come up with a final draft of which you will be proud.

This guide is part three in the ‘ultimate series’, which includes the ultimate guide about planning to write life stories, the ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers and the ultimate guide to publishing a life story.

Okay, roll up your sleeves and let’s get pruning!

Book review: Working Class Man by Cold Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes

The quick way to find out what Barnesy’s second memoir by Harper Collins is all about

In his youth Jimmy Barnes reckons he was here for a good time not a long time.

And you definitely get that feeling from the start of the Australian rock-and-roll legend’s second memoirWorking Class Man released by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Ltd in 2017.

This fast-paced book is a follow up to Barnesy’s award-winning bestseller Working Class Boy (see my review here), which detailed moving to Australia and growing up in Adelaide.

While the first book is about running away, Working Class Man is about running out of time and trying to put things right.

The two books have reportedly sold over 500,000 copies making them the most successful biographical series in local publishing history.

And hot on the heels of these two is Killing Time: Short Stories From the Long Road Home, due out in October.

But first, let’s find out more about Working Class Man and what it can teach us as life-story writers …

Ask Nicola Q&A: Secrets to creating a super book back cover

How to come up with a book back cover design in 4 easy steps

Hi and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a writing coach I’m asked many questions about planning, writing, polishing and publishing life stories for family and friends.

And in this series I show how I help new writers just like you!

So this week’s Ask Nicola answers this question:

I’m nearly ready to publish my autobiography for family and friends! Do I need to design a book back cover? If so what do I need to keep in mind?

Painful stories: How to write about sad memories and hard conversations

3 ideas for approaching and exploring painful memories in your writing

First published May 19, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Australia recorded its most deadly day for coronavirus deaths last week.

Certainly it is such a scary time for all of us around the world as the pandemic takes hold in successive waves.

The new normal feels sombre and has me thinking about important memorial days such as Anzac Day.

Likewise these can bring up sad and painful stories.

Wars and the loss of a loved one are difficult topics to address in an autobiography, memoir, biography or a life-story interview.

Many do not know how to sit down and write about or approach such stories no matter how much they want to.

But this doesn’t mean painful stories should be left out of writing stages.

Some memories, even painful ones, need to live on, be understood and learnt from.

Here are a few tips to help keep you writing when you come to painful stories …

First draft: Don’t start writing a first draft before reading this!

What a life-story coach knows about how to start writing (while beating overwhelm and procrastination)

First published February 22, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

One question I hear time and again from new writers working on a first draft is: “I can’t seem to get anything done! I am constantly agonising over each sentence and self-editing as I write.”

Indeed sitting down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project can be a painful thing for a lot of people.

They are so self-critical that they are paralysed to jot more than a few sentences during the writing phase.

Certainly, I know I was like this when I first started my cadetship at a daily newspaper.

But over time I developed a system to get my first draft out of my head quickly and in a way that’s actually fun!

So keep reading for ideas to write that first draft without torturing yourself.

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!

Midyear 2020 highlights: Best of 2020 articles and writing tips for beginners

Best 2020 writing advice about writing challenges, a life in pictures, dialogue + publishing a 100yo’s autobiography!

Recently I took some time out from my writing projects.

Firstly, I needed to focus on the Forever Young Autobiographies podcast launch (check out the show here!).

But also because 2020 has been one hell of a ride – I needed a break!

So as we hurtle into the back half of the year I thought it was time we re-energised our writing groove to keep working on our autobiographies, memoirs, biographies and other life-story projects.

Therefore to get you motivated I have gone back through this year’s articles for 2020 highlights.

So here are the best 2020 planning, writing, polishing and publishing posts you have been finding most popular and helpful …

Inspirational quotes: 10 positive quotes you should try to boost your writing!

Quick and easy motivation quote tips + writing goals course deal!

Can you believe we are halfway through the year?

And what a crazy year it has been!

I’m assuming, like me, some of your writing goals have been battered by COVID-19 and the dramas of life?

However, let’s all pause to take a deep breath, refocus our writing goals and get set for a good finish to the year.

Therefore, to help you get motivated to sit down and write I’ve gathered a few inspirational quotes.

Certainly, these inspirational quotes will help whether you are writing an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Plus, keep reading as I have a special half-yearly deal available on the Setting Writing Goals Guide for writers!

Let’s do this!