Write Your Life Story by Michael Oke
I love writing and over the last few years, I have begun to write my autobiography. While I find this a very rewarding process, sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated. It is easy to get bogged down in wondering if it's any good, if you are going into too much detail or not enough. Sometimes you need a push in the right direction. Write Your Life Story by Michael Oke is ideal for this, as well as for anyone interested in writing their memoirs, but unsure how to start.
| Write Your Life Story by Michael Oke | |
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| Category: Home and Family | |
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Reviewer: Karen Inskip-Hayward
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| Summary: A great book for anyone interested in writing their memoirs. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 320 | Date: September 2008 |
| Publisher: How To Books Ltd | |
| ISBN: 978-1845283056 | |
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It is a big thick book, so you feel you are getting your money's worth for the £12.99 cover price. It is well set out and just the sort of book to keep nearby, for when you get stuck in your writing or need inspiration.
The book begins with examining people's possible reasons for wanting to write their life story. This could be for a love of writing itself, a desire to leave your story for family members to read or a combination of several factors.
This is followed by various sections including:
- how to go about this, once you have decided to start the project,
- how to get organised,
- planning,
- researching,
- tips and techniques,
- tackling difficult areas,
- presentation,
and much more.
Of course, you can skim sections that are irrelevant to you, but even though I am well into my writing already, I picked up a lot of helpful tips from almost every chapter of this book.
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.
The final eighty or so pages are given over to an appendix of reference materials. These include historical and social information, which helps to date our memories and jog our brains into recalling our reactions, thoughts and feelings. The lists include British Prime Ministers, chart hits of the time, films from each year and the deaths of famous people.
Whatever stage you are at – thinking of writing, just started or well into your project – you will find something useful in Michael Oke's book. Unlike his other book I read Times of Our Lives, this one isn't particularly suited to older people, but is relevant for anyone, any age. I will be giving Times of Our Lives to my Dad to inspire him to write his life, while I will be keeping Write Your Life Story myself and using it regularly.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Write Your Life Story by Michael Oke at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Write Your Life Story by Michael Oke at Amazon.com.
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