Forever Young Autobiographies

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…

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

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 …

The Mother Wound: A multi award-winning debut memoir by Amani Haydar

Book review: How a Sydney lawyer is confronted with murder and motherhood

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 …

Story setting: What is a story setting and setting examples

Don’t do the setting of a story before reading this!

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…

Go by Boat: Dr Chuck Radis’s Maine medical memoir

Case study: Peaks Island doctor’s humorous and heartbreaking stories

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…

Family stories: Bonus reasons to talk about family history and ancestry

Quick and easy motivation to start a loved one’s life history

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…

My Adventurous Life: Australian Book Industry Awards winner by Dick Smith

Book review: Autobiography of an Aussie entrepreneur, aviator and philanthropist

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 …

New year’s resolutions: 3 steps to set life-story dreams and goals

Everything you need to know to achieve a new year’s resolution

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 …