Forever Young Autobiographies

Funny stories: See how easily you can be humorous and write a funny story

Ask Nicola Q&A: How to be funny and write humorous stories in 3 simple steps

Hi and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I get lots of questions about all stages of writing.

And in this Q&A series my answers aim to help writers just like you!

So this Ask Nicola article starts with the query:

I want my book to be funny! I need some writing techniques. Can you help?

First, that’s fantastic you are read y to sit down and record your life for family, friends and future generations!

Second, warm-up your cheeky side and let’s jump into how to create a funny story …

Case study: French memoir Blown Out of Proportion by author Rachel Caldecott

An amazing story of love, glassblowing and one family’s gutsy move to France

Building writing confidence through experience was key to Rachel Caldecott publishing her memoir Blown Out of Proportion: Misadventures of a Glassblower in France.

Certainly Caldecott never expected to end up writing, despite coming from a ‘booky’ family that included a writer mother and publisher father.

Indeed as a youngster she was interested in “too many things” and assumed something else was waiting for her.

But, despite these doubts, Caldecott’s Blown Out of Proportion was published in April.

And it tells the tale of moving, with her husband Chris and their two young children, from the United Kingdom to southern France.

Here they establish a glassblowing studio in an impoverished, sleepy town while braving scorpion-filled hovels, eccentric locals, corrupt politicians and traumatic legal battles.

Forever Young Autobiographies caught up with Caldecott to find out more about her book, the creative process and her suggestions for fellow writers.

Case study: American memoirist Karen Hill Anton and writing her award-winning The View From Breast Pocket Mountain

What The Japan Times columnist and skilled Japanese calligrapher knows about leading an adventurous life and living in Japan

Memoir writer Karen Hill Anton has certainly had one interesting life!

Firstly she grew up in New York City and hitch-hiked the length and breadth of Europe as a youngster in 1965.

Next, in 1974, she left the United States with her husband and daughter, 5, and drove a VW Beetle from Amsterdam to Afghanistan.

Indeed, the family was on the road, mostly camping, for a year before arriving in Japan.

“After our first year of studying yoga and martial arts under a tyrannical sensei, we settled in rural Japan,” Anton said.

“The province of Shizuoka, Japan’s premier green-tea growing region, is where I’ve made my home and raised my four bilingual-bicultural children.”

Anton’s acclaimed memoir The View From Breast Pocket Mountain has been awarded the Book Readers Appreciation Group (BRAG) medallion 2021 and the Self-Publishing Review Book Awards gold medal 2020.

And this week she shares with Forever Young Autobiographies readers more about the book, how it was created plus tips for new creators …

Story outline: What is an outline and having life-story topics to write about

The quick and easy way to understand outline meaning and how to make an outline

It’s lockdown again in our state and my children are getting back into homeschooling.

Certainly coronavirus restrictions mean there is a lot to juggle between work and family.

Indeed, sometimes I don’t know where to start!

Similarly planning a life-story project can feel overwhelming.

You have a whole life to sit down and record, which can be daunting.

But just like surviving any hectic season of life, you need a plan.

So today I’m going to show you the power of creating a story outline.

Book review: AFL coach pens When All is Said and Done while fighting MND

ABIA winning biography by Ungarie’s Neale Daniher, with Warwick Green

This week I’m sharing an award-winner: When All is Said and Done by Neale Daniher with Warwick Green.

Certainly many know Daniher as an Australian Football League (AFL) legend – on and off the field.

But in 2013 he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and soon after co-founded FightMND, which has invested over $40 million into research and care initiatives.

Indeed this biography began as a letter by Daniher to the grandchildren he will never get to know.

However, it was published by Pan Macmillian Australia in 2019 and awarded the Australian Book Industry Awards Biography Book of the Year 2020.

So read on for more about the book and what it can teach us as life-story creators.

ISBN: What you should know about book ISBN numbers and ISBN registration

Ask Nicola Q&A: Do I need an ISBN number for a life story?

G’day and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.

As a life-story coach I get many queries about planning, creating, polishing and publishing.

And in this Q&A series my response aims to help new writers!

So this Ask Nicola edition begins with the question:

Do I need an ISBN to publish a life-story book for family and friends?

Terrific you are planning to sit down and record your memories for family, friends and future generations!

Next let me demystify ISBNs quickly and simply …

Publishing: The ultimate guide to publishing a life story

Everything you need to know about book layouts, print runs, book launches and more!

This week at my house we have been enjoying watching the Olympics.

For my children, it is basically the first one they remember, and they are very vocal in support!

However, for the athletes they have waited and trained for five years for this event.

Indeed it can feel a long time to plan, create and polish an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

But you are on the home straight when you hit the publishing stage!

So to help you clinch victory I’ve put together this ultimate publishing guide.

It is part four in the ‘ultimate series’, which includes the ultimate guide about planning to create life stories, the ultimate guide of life-story tips for new creators and the ultimate guide to polishing your life story.

Midyear 2021 highlights: Best of 2021 articles and writing tips for beginners

Best 2021 writing advice about autobiography definition, what is theme, birth stories and more!

Recently I had some time away from my life-story projects.

Firstly, I was working on a new and exciting development for Forever Young Autobiographies. (More on this later in the year!)

Second, it was good to rest, connect with family and take stock of the year so far.

This included noting what website articles you have been reading and loving!

So here is a quick recap of the most-read articles this year for planning, creating, polishing and publishing a life story.

Certainly I’m sure you will find these 2021 highlights helpful to sit down and create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

How to make a timeline: What is a timeline + timeline example (plus free printable!)

Everything you need to know to create timelines and use an online timeline maker

As milestones come around I find it natural to reflect on the past.

However, over the decades, memories of such times become jumbled.

For example, births, marriages, deaths, anniversaries and more.

So when we are sitting down to create an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project it is important to get dates and facts correct.

Certainly one of the best ways to do this is to make a timeline.

Plus timelines are wonderful ways to organise and stir up memories to record.

Read on to find out how to make a timeline …

How to write a good story: The flashback, parts of a story and reflective writing

3 more writing techniques to make your writing captivating (AKA not boring!)

Who doesn’t love a story that hooks your attention from start to finish?

However, you might think you can’t tell a great yarn to save yourself, let alone write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Firstly, there is no one better qualified to sit down and record your life than you!

Second, if you are writing for friends and family they are on your side and naturally interested.

The other week I covered three ways to make writing more captivating.

Indeed that article was very popular so today I’m going over more writing techniques to keep your audience reading from start to finish!