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 …
Continue reading Finish a life story: How to know when your project is finished
The Mother Wound by Amani Haydar is a memoir about strong women and motherhood.
All of sudden, when Haydar was five months pregnant, she lost her mother in a brutal act of domestic violence perpetrated by her father.
A lawyer by trade, Haydar’s Pan Macmillan Australia read won the Australian Book Industry Awards 2022 Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year.
So keep reading to find out what her book is all about, what makes it a powerful read and what we can learn for our own life-story projects …
Continue reading The Mother Wound: A multi award-winning debut memoir by Amani Haydar
A key foundation for all good life stories is setting.
Indeed settings can create mood for your project.
Plus they help introduce characters into a story.
So let’s find out about different types of settings and how to get started…
Continue reading Story setting: What is a story setting and setting examples
Go by Boat: Stories of a Maine Island Doctor by Dr Chuck Radis is an immersive life-story read.
It tells how Radis, fresh out of training nearly 40 years ago, moves with his wife and daughter to Peaks Island, Maine.
Next he slowly adapts to a medical practice where x-rays and advanced laboratory testing are available only on the mainland.
So keep reading to find out more about Radis, his book and advice for fellow life-story writers…
Continue reading Go by Boat: Dr Chuck Radis’s Maine medical memoir
Have you had your DNA analysed to discover your family history?
Certainly the results can confirm ancestors’ origins or come as a surprise (as was my case)!
Indeed results often prompt questions and conversations with older generations.
Undeniably these chats uncover family history but they also have surprising benefits…
Continue reading Family stories: Bonus reasons to talk about family history and ancestry
My Adventurous Life by Dick Smith AC is a must-read Aussie autobiography.
Firstly because provocateur Smith has been a household name for most Australians over the decades.
But also because this Allen & Unwin read was named Australian Book Industry Awards 2022 Biography Book of the Year.
So let’s find out more about the book, why it’s interesting and what we can learn from Smith as life-story creators …
Continue reading My Adventurous Life: Australian Book Industry Awards winner by Dick Smith
Going to the beach before dawn is one of my favourite things to do.
Firstly there is the sound of crashing waves but also a magical orange glow of what the day may bring.
Similarly the dawn of a new year offers many opportunities.
So today let’s wander down a virtual beach path and set new year’s resolutions for life-story projects …
Continue reading New year’s resolutions: 3 steps to set life-story dreams and goals
Welcome to my last and favourite article of the year!
I’m excited to bring you the Forever Young Autobiographies shortlist of life stories to win awards during the past 12 months.
This best life stories of 2022 list features male and female writers from Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA.
Also stay tuned because I will review each book on the website during 2023 …
Continue reading Best life stories of 2022: Award-winning books to read over the holidays
During the past year, the Forever Young Autobiographies website has helped thousands of people start and finish life-story projects!
And looking back it is very clear what articles you read most.
Therefore today I’m sharing this year’s top 4 about planning, creating, polishing and publishing life stories.
So read on for the best of 2022 and let me know article ideas you’d like me to work on for 2023…
Continue reading Best of 2022: Most popular 2022 highlights about creating life stories
The countdown has started for Christmas and the new year.
But I have some ideas to help you sort out your gift shopping with ease.
Indeed I’ve rounded up some suggestions to suit all ages and budgets.
So read on and get ready to fill Santa sacks with goodies …
Continue reading Gift ideas: Find the perfect Christmas present for life-story creating