memories Archives - Forever Young Autobiographies

Genetic memory: Does your life story include genetic memory examples?

How to understand genetic memory theory

I recently read comedian Magda Szubanski’s Reckoning: A Memoir in which she brings up genetic memory.

In short, she had an inkling she carried some of her Irish ancestors’ memories.

And felt like she had ‘come home’ when visiting Ireland for the first time.

But is genetic memory just a theory or is there more to it?

Memory palaces: What you should know about mnemonic memory palaces

Ask Nicola Q&A: How to understand mind palaces and the method of loci

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?”

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.

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 …

Memory recall: How to fast track remembering childhood memories + long-term memory retrieval

What every life-story writer ought to know about priming memory and remembering memories in 4 steps

First published September 27, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Memory recall is at the heart of all life-story writing.

But it can be challenging to remember back decades when sitting down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Certainly the brain is an amazing piece of engineering.

However, it is common for our memories to fade over time.

For example, I like to think of each memory as a sandy path to the beach.

And every time we remember a memory, the track gets a little more defined.

But if we stop recalling a memory, the track gets overgrown or blown away.

So today I go over four of the easiest ways to bring old memories back to the surface.

How does memory work? Your questions answered about what is memory and types of memory

Amazing facts about creating memories and where is memory stored in the brain

First published 20 September, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

How does memory work?

Certainly this is a question many ask as they sit down to write an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

And it is a good query for many reasons.

Firstly, how can we talk or write about others, times and places if we have trouble remembering?

So in this article I’ve waded through scientific information to answer in plain English how does memory work.

Secondly, should we trust our memories when two people remember the same event differently?

Music and memories: 3 song memory tricks to use while dancing up a storm!

Feel the beat with these writing ideas for musical memories

First published January 25, 2018: This article has been updated and improved.

Popular music festival Splendour would usually be held this time of year in Australia but it has been canceled because of coronavirus.

However, I know this is the case too for many Northern Hemisphere summer music festivals.

Certainly, at the moment, it’s hard for me not to think about seeing live music!

As a result, when I hear certain songs I saw in concert it gets me thinking: who was with me, what were we doing, when was this, where were we, how good was it?

Indeed, music is a wonderful way to stir up memories for your autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

So today I’m going to take a look at ways you can use it to get your memories flowing when you are planning or starting to write.

One, two, three… let’s feel the beat!