Forever Young Autobiographies

Dialogue like a pro: See how easily you can use speech marks and quotes in writing

The quick and simple way for writing dialogue and using quotation marks

Writing dialogue can scare some people.

They feel like they are off the beaten track in the punctuation wilderness.

But the truth is great quotes really lift an autobiography, memoir, biography or life-story project.

And learning to use speech marks is nowhere near as strenuous as hiking cross country.

As a newspaper print editor I’ve helped many reporters easily understand how to use quotes in writing.

And I can help you too no matter if you are just starting to write or polishing a manuscript.

So get comfy in your fave writing spot and get set to write dialogue like a pro…

Writing tips: The ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers

All the writing advice you need to write a life story today

If starting a life-story project has you feeling worried or anxious you need some lifesaving writing tips.

This week I’ve prepared the ultimate guide of writing tips for new writers.

It aims to equip you to confidently put pen to paper today!

This guide is part two in the ‘ultimate series’, which includes the ultimate guide about planning to write life stories, the ultimate guide to polishing your writing and the ultimate guide to publishing a life story.

Foreign words: How to clearly write foreign phrases and foreign expressions in 5mins

The fast way to writing foreign words and meaning in your book

A friend recently came to me with a foreign words question, specifically about translating New Zealand Maori.

She asked what was the best way to introduce and use foreign words and foreign phrases in an autobiography, memoir, biography or life story?

Curiosity sent me on a deep dive of style guides to confirm some suggestions.

Even if you don’t write many foreign words you probably use jargon or vernacular that will need explanation before your book gets to the publishing stage.

I know, as an Aussie, we use loads of slang that leaves non-Aussies puzzled!

So read on for some you beaut (excellent) ways to deal with foreign words and expressions in your writing.

Write together: Writing with a loved one as a co-author or writing partner

Amazing secrets about writing together from a life-story book coach

First published February 8, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Writing an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life story can be a very solitary pursuit but it doesn’t have to be.

Your husband or wife may be the perfect support person for your project.

But including them in additional ways from the very beginning can make for a more holistic book.

After years together you and your partner’s life stories have naturally become interwoven.

Therefore it is a given that when you sit down to write your book will include a little or a lot about their life as well.

Following on from St Valentine’s Day, this week’s article explores ways to include your partner in your life-story writing project.

Working with a writing coach: 3 questions to ask when choosing a life-writing teacher

Plus a Valentine’s Day coaching call deal you will love!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the autobiography, memoir and biography writers out there!

Sitting down to write a life story to be shared among friends and family can be a glorious act of love.

But while you may have started the writing year full of enthusiasm, sometimes the romantic writing glow wanes and you need a hand.

Working with a writing coach can help you recover your writing mojo!

Here are three questions you should ask before you book a date with a writing coach.

Plus keep reading as I share the love with a special coaching call offer for Forever Young Autobiography followers …

Book review: No Friend But the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani

No Friend But the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani and translator Omid Tofighian, Pan Macmillan Australia. Portrait photo of Behrouz Boochani by Hoda Afshar.

What everyone should know about a Kurdish-Iranian refugee’s time in Manus prison

Imagine a writer forbidden paper and pen.

Wouldn’t this be tortuous enough let alone being held prisoner for more than six years on remote islands?

This was the case to befall author Behrouz Boochani in 2013 but amazingly he discovered a way to write.

Using smuggled mobile phones the Kurdish-Iranian refugee wrote No Friend But the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison via long text messages and with the assistance of translator Omid Tofighian.

The Pan Macmillan Australia book won Australia’s 2019 National Biography Award plus numerous other prizes.

As life-story writers we can learn much from this unique and historical story…

Life-story interview: How to set-up an interview + family interview tips

The easy way to get an interview and capture family stories

First published November 30, 2017: This article has been updated and improved.

The recent Christmas holiday season was a terrific time to catch up with family and loved ones.

Getting together for a meal, barbecue or beach trip is an amazing opportunity to share memories: from the newly minted to well-heard favourites and forgotten gems.

If these captured your interest why not keep the momentum going by making it a goal this year to tee up a life-story interview with a loved one such as a parent, grandparent or dear friend.

Keep reading for my top tips and suggestions from the Your Family Stories System to do just that …

Why write: Why is writing important and why do we write

How to find your reasons to write and finish a powerful life story

We are surrounded by other people’s stories our whole lives.

I especially noticed this when I started working as a print journalist, exposed to dozens of life stories every shift: tragic, happy, dramatic or miraculous.

Now, as a mother of two young children, I find myself reflecting on the lives of my parents, grandparents and others.

I look to their lives for inspiration, wisdom and a heart-warming or entertaining story!

These were some of the ‘why write’ reasons that prompted me to help my dad’s mum write her life story.

Identifying your own whys can similarly inspire you to start, write and finish an autobiography.

Here are three top ‘why write’ reasons to help focus your mind and expectations before sitting down to begin a life-story project.

Life in pictures: Make a life-story scrapbook album in 3 easy steps

Secrets for using a photo series to creatively tell a life in pictures

First published November 2 2017: This article has been updated and improved.

When I was a photojournalism student at art school I had a lecturer who told our class to shoot an assignment with a 24-hour deadline.

This was to compile a photo series of our city’s Anzac Day memorial parade.

My classmates and I were positioned up and down the procession, some hanging off buildings Spider-Man style and others trying to hitch rides on parading army trucks!

We took hundreds of photos that we whittled down to tell a complete story of the day.

Over the course of our lives we similarly collect hundreds of memories that can be pared back and polished to tell a complete and precious life story.

Certainly this can be written in book form but also creatively done as a photo series or scrapbook album.

Keep reading for tips on how to record a life in pictures for yourself or a loved one.

I promise you won’t need to hang off any buildings in the process!

How to start writing: The ultimate guide about planning to write life stories

What a life-story writer knows about making a writing plan

My children received a new kite for Christmas.

They love to watch its colourful tail dance in the wind when we go to the beach.

But when it’s time to go home the kite tail and string is usually one giant tangled, sandy mess!

This looks like a mission impossible but with patience everything is fixed and again flying high.

Taking the first step to plan an autobiography, memoir, biography or life-story project of your own or for a loved one can similarly feel like a task for the too-hard basket!

However, knowing how to start writing isn’t difficult with a bit of planning.

To celebrate the beginning of a new year (and decade!) I’ve compiled an ultimate guide of pre-writing tips.

This guide is part one in the ‘ultimate series’, which includes the ultimate guide of life-story tips for new writers, the ultimate guide to polishing your writing and the ultimate guide to publishing a life story.

So jump in and get set to make 2020 the year you finish a life story and let it soar!