Biographies are not just for celebrities. 'Normal' people's lives - your own, in fact - can be much more fascinating and interesting.
The aim of this book is to help you celebrate your life - and those who are special to you.
Taken a step at a time - maybe just writing a few episodes of your life - you will see that writing your life story is not as daunting as it first appears; indeed it can be great fun. You need have no writing experience at all - writing at its best is simply speaking on paper.
Contents:
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1. Why Write Your Life Story?
2. Thinking Things Through
3. Getting Organised
4. Planning the Structure
5. Considering Alternative Structures
6. Preparing to Tell Your Story
7. Some Tips and Techniques
8. Inspirational Extracts
9. Doing Your Research
10. Being Ready to Write
11. Tackling Difficult Areas
12. Revising the Manuscript
13. Presentation
14. Production
15. Publishing
16. Advice from Others Who Have Written
Author's Postscript
Glossary
Useful Addresses
Further Reading
Index
Reviews:
'This guide will show you how to research, structure, write, present and produce
your material in book form. Whether it's for yourself and your family or for a
wider audience, the result will be hugely satisfying.' - Insight
'Every aspect of the task is explained, from initial jottings to arranging
for the final printing and binding of your book, even if it is only one copy to
be passed round amongst friends and relatives. I would highly recommend this
book.' - Writers' Bulletin
'Mike Oke believes passionately that everyone has within them a marvellous
story - the tale of their life. He's just the man to help you tell it.' - Neil
Patrick, Yours Magazine
'Invaluable advice for anyone wanting to commit their memories to paper.' -
Good Book Guide
'It takes you through the whole process from thinking about it to starting to
write, then once it is finished, there are suggestions for how you want it
presented and options for publishing your words. The text is well set out and
spaced and it includes lists and diagrams, which break up the text too and make
it easier to use as a reference guide. Each section is peppered with quotes from
everyday people, which are there to help inspire the writer in us all, and to
prove anyone can write and we all have a story worth telling.' - part of a
review by Karen Inskip-Hayward, The Bookbag.co.uk
