How did it get to be the middle of the year so fast!
Certainly those New Year’s writing goals seem a long time ago and need re-examining.
But the beauty of being halfway through this year is there is still one half to go for life-story recording and creating.
So here is a dose of positive quotes to get your inspiration fired up again …
Continue reading Positive quotes: Motivational thoughts to lift your life-story creating
Business consultant and author Jim Hamilton’s new autobiography tells the story of the three ‘big waves’ of his life and the valuable lessons these have taught him.
Waves of Life: A Grateful Man’s Journey, by Library Tales Publishing, includes the passing of Hamilton’s older brother, his battles with health issues and addiction, plus the pain and joy of his life.
However, underscoring all is the importance of love as the greatest gift you can receive and give.
Forever Young Autobiographies caught up with Hamilton to find out more about his book, writing process and tips for life-story creators.
Continue reading Waves of Life: Jim Hamilton’s grateful autobiography of hope
Last week I had the pleasure to connect with Moving Memories founder Nicola Kane.
Nicola lives in New Zealand and is a fellow life-story coach and YouTuber.
However, her specialty is helping families and businesses create stories through video.
So read on to find out what makes this format attractive for your next life-story project …
Continue reading Moving Memories: Talking family videos with video producer Nicola Kane
The concept of lessons learnt is a powerful reason to start a life-story project.
Indeed this week in Australia people stopped to mark Anzac Day and remember servicemen and women who died in the line of duty.
Most importantly at services we say “lest we forget“, which reminds us not to forget past sacrifices.
Certainly this phrase is apt for memorial days but it can also be a motivator to create a life story.
Continue reading Lessons learnt: See how easily life lessons can be included in a life story
I was lucky to see Archie Roach AM at a sold-out concert the week I finished reading his memoir Tell Me Why: The story of my life and my music.
His book was published by Simon & Schuster Australia in 2019 and is a companion to the music star’s new album and tour.
However, I listened to the audiobook version, read by Roach, which won the Australian Book Industry Awards 2021 Audiobook of the Year.
So let’s jump into what Tell Me Why is about, what makes it interesting and what we can learn to help our own life-story creating …
Continue reading Tell Me Why: Award-winning life story by singer-songwriter Archie Roach
Dana Stewart Quinney’s autobiography Wildflower Girl: A Lifelong Journey Beyond the Trail highlights nature’s richness and magic.
Dana spent her 1950s childhood exploring Idaho’s Wood River Valley and went on to visit many wild paces around the world as a distinguished field biologist.
Her life story Wildflower Girl was published by Hidden Shelf Publishing House in 2020 and was named 2019 Idaho Library Association Book of the Year.
And Forever Young Autobiographies caught up with Dana recently to find out more about writing this adventurous read …
Continue reading Wildflower Girl: Dana Stewart Quinney’s adventurous autobiography
G’day and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.
As a life-story coach I’m asked many questions about planning, writing, polishing and publishing.
And in this Q&A series my responses aim to help life-story creators!
So today’s question is: “What are memory palaces for your mind?”
Continue reading Memory palaces: What you should know about mnemonic memory palaces
Kicking off this year’s book reviews is the powerful life story by the late Eddie Jaku OAM: The Happiest Man on Earth: A Holocaust survivor shares how he found gratitude, kindness and hope in the darkest of places.
The bestseller was published in 2020 by Pan Macmillan Australia after Jaku turned 100.
And last year it won the Australian Book Industry Awards Biography Book of the Year.
So let’s find out what the book is about, why it is so interesting and what you can learn for your own writing …
Continue reading The Happiest Man on Earth: Bestseller by 100yo Auschwitz survivor Eddie Jaku
Julie Campbell’s heartfelt new memoir tells the story of how a devastating disease destroyed her beloved husband and the adored father of their two children.
The Butcherbird Sings: A memoir of hope and help born from a neurodegenerative disease was custom published last year by Bad Apple Press and is a revealing and moving read.
Certainly Campbell is passionate about the value of sharing stories as a tool to learn and to connect with others.
She caught up with Forever Young Autobiographies to tell us more about her memoir, the creative process and share suggestions with fellow writers …
Continue reading The Butcherbird Sings: Julie Campbell’s touching memoir about neurodegenerative disease
It was fantastic to be a guest on The Athena Wellness Podcast recently!
Host, coach, wellness expert and author Kathy Robinson kindly invited me to appear on two episodes.
First we talked about Storytelling as a Wellness Practice.
And on the second, shorter episode, How to Organize Your Family Stories.
So keep reading as I highlight some key takeaways from the shows …
Continue reading The Athena Wellness Podcast: Talking storytelling with wellness expert Kathy Robinson