AI: Artificial Intelligence tips I’m trying for life stories

AI: Artificial Intelligence tips I’m trying for life stories. A watercolour image of an open book and tech background. Photo by Bing Image Creator
Photo by Bing Image Creator

Everything you need to know about using AI to record memories

AI or Artificial Intelligence is a trending topic and for many reasons.

But how, if at all, can it be helpful for us as life-story creators?

Recently I took a test drive of different AI platforms and applications.

So keep reading to find out what I discovered (without the tech jargon!) plus easy ways you can use AI to get creative …

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My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: An amazing family story by Danish TV journalist Johannes Langkilde

My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: An amazing family story by Danish TV journalist Johannes Langkilde. Langkilde with his cousin who is dressed as a Samoan princess, cover of My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: The unlikely adventures of a Dane in Polynesia, and a portrait of Langkilde. Photos by Johannes Langkilde and Wendila
My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: The unlikely adventures of a Dane in Polynesia (centre) by Johannes Langkilde (right) and with his cousin (left) who dressed up as a Samoan princess during a family gathering and cultural performance in Langkilde’s family honour. 

Case study: News anchor’s chance meeting unites him with enriching American Samoan relatives

My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: The unlikely adventures of a Dane in Polynesia by Johannes Langkilde, with Cathrine Errboe, is a family story born from a chance meeting.

The life-story book tells how well-known journalist Langkilde grew up in cold, windswept Denmark hearing stories of faraway relatives on the tropical islands of Samoa – one of them a real live chief! 

However in 2016 he suddenly found himself face to face with Fagafaga Daniel Langkilde of American Samoa while covering a political convention in the United States of America.

So keep reading to find out how a spark ignited between the two distant cousins, how the Wendila publication began plus tips for your own creating

Continue reading My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: An amazing family story by Danish TV journalist Johannes Langkilde

Windswept and Interesting: Autobiography by Glasgow joker Billy Connolly

Windswept and Interesting: Autobiography by Glasgow joker Billy Connolly. Windswept and Interesting: My Autobiography by Billy Connolly, John Murray Press, and a portrait of Connolly. Photos John Murray Press
Windswept and Interesting (left) by Billy Connolly (right), John Murray Press. Photos John Murray Press

Book review: British Book Awards winner about a national treasure and comedian rambling man

Windswept and Interesting: My Autobiography by Sir Billy Connolly CBE is a remarkable success story.

In fact it is the first full-length autobiography by the Glaswegian ‘rock-star comedian’.

Notably the John Murray Press publication is a No. 1 bestseller and took out the British Book Awards 2022 Book of the Year Audiobook Non-Fiction.

So keep reading to find out more about the book and what we can learn from Connolly’s efforts for our own life-story creating…

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

Transcription: How to quickly create life stories using voice-typing tools. Older man wearing headphones, a green beanie and grey shirt smiling in sunshine. Photo by Barbara Olsen from Pexels

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…

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Mitan and Moni: Swedish sisters’ Hollywood fashion success story by Jenny Levallius

Mitan and Moni: Swedish sisters’ Hollywood fashion success story by Jenny Levallius. Modern photo of Mitan and Moni looking at press clippings on a table, cover of Mitan and Moni: The true story of two talented, young Swedish women who dared to dream of fashion success in Hollywood, and a portrait of Levallius. Photos by Jenny Levallius
Mitan and Moni: The true story of two talented, young Swedish women who dared to dream of fashion success in Hollywood (centre) by Jenny Levallius (right) and Mitan and Moni today (left). Photos by Jenny Levallius

Case study: An amazing family story of talented women who dared to dream

Mitan and Moni: The true story of two talented, young Swedish women who dared to dream of fashion success in Hollywood by Jenny Levallius is an adventurous read.

The biography tells how the sisters went from the small time to the big time in the 1960-70s creating custom garments for celebs.

This included Goldie Hawn, Patty Duke, Marlo Thomas, Sammy Davis Jr., Diana Ross, Sharon Tate, Ann-Margret and many more! 

So keep reading to find out how graphic designer Levallius wrote this amazing family story about her mum and aunt plus her top tips for life-story creators …

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Writing quotes: Inspirational quotes + motivational quotes to conquer a midyear hump

Writing quotes: Inspirational quotes + motivational quotes to conquer a midyear hump. Illuminated white sign with colour writing: "Make this day great!" Photo by Alexas Fotos from Pexels.

Positive quotes every life-story creator ought to know about

The solstice is nearly upon us marking the halfway point of the year.

So it is timely to reflect on what life-story goals we have achieved and want to pursue during the back half of the year.

Therefore I’ve been on the hunt to share with you motivational quotes and writing quotes from famous identities.

Certainly they will get you inspired to end this year with a writing bang!

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Currowan: Surviving one of Australia’s worst bushfires by Bronwyn Adcock

Currowan: Surviving one of Australia’s worst bushfires by Bronwyn Adcock. Book cover of Currowan: The Story of a Fire and a Community During Australia’s Worst Summer by Bronwyn Adcock, Black Inc., and a portrait of Adcock. Photos by Black Inc.
Currowan (left) by Bronwyn Adcock (right), Black Inc. Photos by Black Inc.

Book review: A Walkley Award winning life story about living with fire and climate change

Currowan: The Story of a Fire and a Community During Australia’s Worst Summer is a terrifying tale.

It was written by journalist Bronwyn Adcock who fled the inferno with her children while her husband went to fight at the front.

This Black Inc read tells her story, plus those of many others, and won the 2022 Walkley Awards Book Award.

So keep reading to learn more about this memoir, why it is a must-read and what we can apply to our own life-story projects

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Staying organised: How to stay organised when creating a life story

Staying organised: How to stay organised when creating a life story. Open notebook with pen mandala drawing in green grass. Photo by Dids from Pexels

Surefire ways to keep organised when starting a life-story project

Staying organised when undertaking a life-story project is an important consideration.

Indeed it can seem overwhelming to most when starting an autobiography, memoir, biography or some other life-story project.

But there is a way to tame the creative chaos and flow of memories!

So keep reading to find out my top suggestions for effortless organisation …

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Campfire for a Woman’s Heart: Life stories from inspirational women by Natalie Stockdale

Campfire for a Woman’s Heart: Life stories from inspirational women by Natalie Stockdale. Stockdale writing on her laptop inside her boat, book cover of Campfire for a Woman’s Heart: Stories of Resilience from Inspirational Women, and a portrait photo of Stockdale wearing a red dress outside. Photos by Natalie Stockdale and Big Sky Publishing.
Campfire for a Woman’s Heart: Stories of Resilience from
Inspirational Women (centre) by Natalie Stockdale (right) and writing the first book on her yacht (left). Photos by Natalie Stockdale and Big Sky Publishing

Case study: How an Airlie Beach resilience coach is helping others overcome adversity

Campfire for a Woman’s Heart: Stories of Resilience from Inspirational Women by Natalie Stockdale is without doubt an empowering read.

It features tales of tragedy and trauma from 25 outstanding international women.

Significantly released ahead of Mother’s Day, the book is the second in the Campfire for the Heart series by Big Sky Publishing. 

So keep reading to discover more about Stockdale, her latest book and her tips for life-story creators…

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Finish a life story: How to know when your project is finished

Finish a life story: How to know when your project is finished. Women jumping in the air with arms outstretched after reaching the top of a mountain that overlooks a lake. Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels.

Ask Nicola Q&A: Amazing ways to finish your story today

Welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

Each week I get queries about creating life stories for family and friends.

Today’s Ask Nicola question is:

How do you know when you are finished a life-story project?

So let’s dive into a few key considerations to finish a life story …

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