Forever Young Autobiographies

Ask Nicola Q&A: The quick and easy way to understand theme and find the theme of a story Why is theme important lots of people ask? Certainly there are many reasons but creating and editing a life-story project is much clearer when you know its themes. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What's a theme and what does theme mean * Why determining themes is important * Finding the theme of a story * Value a...

Chasing Me to My Grave book review: Pulitzer winner about chain gangs, lynching, black history and the Civil Rights era.  Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South by Winfred Rembert is a confronting life story. However, it is also a heartwarming tale of love for a community and family. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Bloomsbury publication is all about * Standout elements of...

Everything you need to know about using AI to record memories. AI or Artificial Intelligence is becoming commonplace in our modern world. Indeed artificial intelligence applications are endless and can help us record life stories. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What is artificial intelligence (in plain English!) * How to use ChatGPT, Google Bard, Bing Chat and more * Next-level life stories with artificial...

Case study: News anchor’s chance meeting unites him with enriching American Samoan relatives.  My Cousin Is a Chief in Samoa: The unlikely adventures of a Dane in Polynesia by Johannes Langkilde, with Cathrine Errboe, is an enriching tale through the ages. However it is also a thrilling story that shows family connections running deep across oceans and generations. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * About this...

Book review: British Book Awards winner about a national treasure and comedian rambling man.  Windswept and Interesting: My Autobiography by Sir Billy Connolly is a laugh-out-loud life story from a comic legend. However, it also reveals a painful upbringing and a life of adventure. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this John Murray Press life story is about * Interesting jokes and comedy from a banjo play...

Painlessly transcribe life stories with Rev transcription, Google Voice Typing, oTranscribe and more.  Gone are the tedious, stop-start days of transcribing recordings or learning shorthand. Today there are so many free and affordable technical options to record memories. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * About fast online transcriptionist services * Free transcription software (you likely already have!) * Sim...

Case study: An amazing family story of talented women who dared to dream. Mitan and Moni: The true story of two talented, young Swedish women who dared to dream of fashion success in Hollywood by Jenny Levallius will inspire and entertain. It is a tale for all ages that shows how taking a big chance can pay off beyond your wildest expectations. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * How this Stockholm graphic desig...

Positive quotes every life-story creator ought to know about.  Life-story creating is rewarding but challenging at times. Therefore seeking inspiration and motivation from others is essential. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Motivational quotes to kick-start creativity * Words of encouragement to record life stories * Success quotes to finish a project strong * Feel the fire in your belly to hit life-story g...

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 by Bronwyn Adcock will blow your mind about the intensity of fire. It also shows the heroic grit, ingenuity and compassion of individuals plus communities up against a blaze with never-before-seen power. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What...

Surefire ways to keep organised when starting a life-story project. Staying organised when creating a life-story project can be a big challenge. But a little bit of organising can pay dividends in how smoothly and quickly memories, stories, recordings and more come together. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * When to use a memory notebook * How to record memories online or offline * Tips to stay organised when...

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 a beacon of hope. It is packed with gutsy tales but importantly it shows recovery from tragedy and trauma is possible. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What these powerful campfire stories are all about * How Stockdale comp...

Ask Nicola Q&A: Amazing ways to finish your story today.  To finish a life-story project is a huge achievement! You should feel excited to share widely what you have created. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * Final editing checks to keep in mind * How your audience's expectations matter * Why you need to look inside yourself to finish * Get fired up to finish your life-story project! ⇨ FULL ARTICLE Cli...

Book review: How a Sydney lawyer is confronted with murder and motherhood. The Mother Wound by Amani Haydar is a devastating memoir no daughter should have to write. It lays bare how Haydar’s father murdered her mother and how she was forced to reconsider her parent’s relationship. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What this Australian Book Industry Awards winner is about * Interesting takeaways from this Pan...

Don't do the setting of a story before hearing this! Settings are crucial for a life story. Certainly they make it easy for your audience to visualise your memories plus gain insight into characters and events. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN:  * What is the setting of a story * Why is the setting important for a life-story project * How to create the setting of a story * Confidently create vivid settings th...

Case study: Peaks Island doctor’s humorous and heartbreaking stories. Go by Boat: Stories of a Maine Island Doctor by Dr Chuck Radis is about finding respite from contemporary living in hardscrabble conditions. However it is also a tale of how he and his family are accepted and befriended by a unique cultural community. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * What this Rowman & Littlefield publication is about *...

Quick and easy motivation to start a loved one’s life history! Family stories are great for discovering basic factual information. However, there are many other reasons that make such conversations rewarding. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * How to let family stories flow * Why talking life history is surprising * The hidden benefit of chatting family history * Be excited to talk family stories today! ⇨ FULL A...

Book review: Autobiography of an Aussie entrepreneur, aviator and philanthropist. My Adventurous Life by Dick Smith is the story of an Australian icon. And it is the tale of a cheeky, big-hearted explorer who loves a challenge. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * How this young Scout grew up and embraced adventure * The interesting achievements of a provocateur and filmmaker * Life-story tips from the founder of...

Everything you need to know to achieve a new year’s resolution. The beginning of a new year is a magical time full of possibility. So why not set new year resolutions for your autobiography, memoir, biography or life-story projects! ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN * How big dreams inspire new year goals * SMART ways to attack good new year's resolutions * Accountability tips to achieve great new year's resolutio...

How to pick the best books for your 2023 reading list. Find a perfect holiday read with The Forever Young Autobiographies best life stories of 2022 book list. Discover stories by adventurers, comedians, artists and much more. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * My Adventurous Life by Dick Smith, Allen & Unwin * The Mother Wound by Amani Haydar, Pan Macmillan Australia * Currowan: The Story of a Fire and a Com...

Best articles of 2022 about memory palaces, how to start a book, revising and editing plus a neurodegenerative disease memoir ☟ ☟ CLICK FOR LINKS AND INFO ☟ ☟ Thanks for supporting Forever Young Autobiographies during 2022! Indeed thousands of you have read this year’s articles about starting and finishing life-story projects. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * What you should know about mnemonic memory palaces...

Christmas gift giving and creative presents made easy. Christmas is a wonderful time to give creative and useful gifts. Certainly choose a gift to spoil a loved one or treat yourself! ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * Secret Santa ideas that won't break the bank * Christmas gift ideas you will not have thought of * Christmas wish list suggestions to make life easier * Creative presents that help leave a legacy...

Book review: An amazing dive into the natural world and walking an autistic path. Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty is a unique story about a teen’s joy and need for nature. However, it is also a clarion call for us all to reconnect and take action to protect and restore wild animals and places. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * What this Little Toller Books memoir is about * How nature writing fuels...

Case study: Siblings’ soul-stirring story 52 years in the making. ‘Accidental Sisters: The story of my 52 year wait to meet my biological sibling’ by Katherine Linn Caire is a crazy and unexpected read. One mistake on an adoption agency form turned her life upside down and made her question everything. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * How a simple medical history request turned into a book * Fun and challenges...

Book review: What you need to know about a South Carolina slavery keepsake that ended up in the Smithsonian. All That She Carried by Tiya Miles is a heartbreaking story four generations in the making. In short, it is a tale of loss, luck and love forged from the depths of slavery 170 years ago. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * What this Penguin Random House non-fiction book is about * Interesting elements of P...

Revising and editing: How to take the headache out of editing a life story. What to include or leave out of a life-story project can be a struggle. But it is much easier when you have clear direction. ⇨ YOU WILL LEARN: * The importance of knowing why you are starting a life story * How identifying your audience is crucial * Focusing on themes helps revising and editing * To get clear about what st...