Forever Young Autobiographies

Chasing Me to My Grave: Jim Crow memoir by Georgia artist Winfred Rembert

Book review: Pulitzer winner about chain gangs, lynching, black history and the Civil Rights era

Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South by the late Winfred Rembert is a life story about a nobody becoming a somebody.

In short, it recounts how Rembert grew up in Georgian cotton fields, survived years on chain gangs and became a world-renowned leather artist.

The Bloomsbury Publishing memoir was told to Tufts Philosopher Erin I. Kelly and scooped the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Biography.

So keep reading to find out more about this award-winning story, what makes it interesting and how it can help us with our own creating …

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

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 …

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

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 …

Windswept and Interesting: Autobiography by Glasgow joker Billy Connolly

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…

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

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…

Mitan and Moni: Swedish sisters’ Hollywood fashion success story 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 …

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

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!

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

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 …

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

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 …

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

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…