Discover The Stories StoryTerrace Help Share.

Everyone has a story to tell. Ghostwriters make it easy to tell that story, so you don’t have to worry about structure, tone, or time. Working with a ghostwriter isn’t just about getting words on paper, however. It’s also about the journey the two of you take together. Sharing your story—or that of a family member—involves dipping into some of the most personal parts of life.

Ghostwriters don’t only record, but they also listen intently, asking leading questions meant to uncover important details and themes that can be used to create a mosaic of imagery. Through the deep communication, the writer can put the storyteller’s stream-of-consciousness puzzle pieces together into a clear narrative. Because of the intimacy of this process, many writers and clients form bonds that last forever.

Watch: Celeste Hamilton Dennis on writing for Story Terrace

"Every ordinary life is extraordinary." - Story Terrace Writer Celeste Hamilton Dennis

“My writer was fantastic and very professional. She made me feel like I’d known her my whole life.” - Jam Rud

When you hire a ghostwriter, you want to be sure they can tell stories well. A big part of the telling comes from the connection between you and the writer. You don’t need to have everything in common, be the same age, or even come from the same country. It all comes down to feeling comfortable with the person sitting across from you, and that person’s ability to craft a narrative.

Many storytellers aren’t sure how to find a ghostwriter. To ensure our clients get matched with a qualified writer, we recruit through professional and personal networks, professional outreach, MA writing programs, job boards, newspapers, literary agencies, and more. We then vet them through personal and individual video interviews with a Story Terrace editor, and onboard them with our thorough Writers’ Handbook. Our 500-plus writers are located across the world, from coast to coast, in both big cities and small towns. What they share is a passion for helping people capture their life stories.

“This was TEN years in the making for us, and kept going nowhere until we enlisted their help. Months later we have a novella to treasure for generations.” - Jeanne Jones

We offer three levels of writers to work with: critically acclaimed, junior, and senior. Below is a sampling of the types of writers we have on deck.

Critically acclaimed writer Chris Neill is a London-based stand-up comedian, newspaper columnist, and former BBC Radio producer, with a love for cooking.

Kerrin Cocks, also critically acclaimed, is an experienced traveler who has ghostwritten and co-authored several books, including Mzee Ali: The Biographer of an African Slave-Raider Turned Askari and Scout. She also blogs about being a modern-day mum.

Senior writer Paddy Magrane has been published by the Guardian, Observer, Independent, and Telegraph. Alongside writing, he's a practicing psychotherapist and counsellor.

Globe-trotting Emily Richards, another senior writer, recently returned to the UK to arm herself with an MA in Writing from Warwick University—before that you might have found her living in Saigon, or running the Amsterdam Marathon.

Our junior writers include Rose Segal, who is a poet, singer, and songwriter, and recently gained an MSt in Creative Writing (with distinction!) from the University of Oxford.

Also in the junior writer team is Krishan Coupland, who has an MA in Creative Writing, won the Manchester Fiction Prize in 2016, and the Bare Fiction Prize in 2016. Krishan has written on subjects from the Cold War to theme parks and game design.

All our writers, no matter the level, have been vetted through our interview and training process. With our large pool of professionals, finding a ghostwriter has never been easier.

When a storyteller is ready to begin working with a ghostwriter, we send matches based on locality, availability, and suitability. We always look to find a writer who can make a connection with the storyteller, whether through hobbies, interests, education, expertise, or even language.

“I was looking to find a writer who spoke Vietnamese since English was not my parents’ first language. Ari, the sales rep, took the time to find a writer specific to my needs.” - Galen Dao

Once a match is successful, our writers communicate directly with the storyteller to schedule the interviews. The editor checks in with both parties along the way, and once the interviews are complete, the editor assists the customer in reviewing and approving the writer’s table of contents and first and final drafts.

“Our writer Alex was incredibly professional and produced a phenomenal collection of my father's stories. This was a gift for my father, but it will be something that our entire family will treasure forever.” - R Mitchell Ermentrout

Whether you want to tell your own story or gift a book to someone else, working with a ghostwriter is a great way to finally get that story on paper. Story Terrace is the leading ghostwriting solution, with professional writers who can interview you from the comfort of your own home.

To learn more about what we offer, sign up for our newsletter, or request a writer match for hand-picked suggestions.

Ever wondered what inspired Fred Rogers to become a passionate crusader for children? Or what fueled Ruth Bader Ginsburg to defy mid-century gender roles and become a U.S. Supreme Court justice? Biographies give us an intimate glimpse into a person’s life and have the power to teach us something about our own. They’re a gift—for both the reader and the person behind the tale. In fact, writing your biography is rewarding in countless ways.

As Story Terrace writer Celeste Hamilton says, “I find even the most ordinary life, extraordinary. It’s like a living history lesson that I find so interesting. I’m constantly in awe of these lives people have lived.”

There are literally thousands of biographies out there, which can make picking one to read feel a bit, well, impossible. But don’t worry—we’ve gone ahead and done the legwork for you, rounding up a list of captivating books about politicians, freedom fighters, artists, and tech giants that are worthy of your bookshelf...or Kindle library.

Without further ado, meet the 10 biographies poised to inspire you throughout 2019… and beyond.

The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers

by Maxwell King

Whether it was his colorful cardigans or gentle smile, Mr. Rogers made it a wonderful day in any child’s neighborhood. This full-length biography tells the life story of Fred Rogers, star of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” through original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents that detail his compassion toward children and devotion to ensuring they had a voice.

The Life and Times of Harvey Milk: The Mayor of Castro Street

by Randy Shilts

The first openly gay elected official in the history of California, Harvey Milk was an enigmatic figure in 1970s politics who championed civil and human rights. Randy Shilts tells his story—leading up to Milk’s assassination in City Hall—with engaging and emotional power while giving the reader a glimpse into the modern-day history of the LGBT movement.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life

by Jane Sherron De Hart

The life of “the Notorious RBG” is fully captured in this comprehensive biography on the 107th justice of the Supreme Court. Exploring the crucial experiences that shaped Ginsburg’s passion for justice and gender equality—most importantly her faith in the Jewish injunction “Tikkun olam,” or, “repair the world”—Sherron De Hart’s attention to detail and imminently readable prose make this biography a twenty-first-century classic.

Reagan: An American Journey

by Bob Spitz

Five years and hundreds of interviews later, Bob Spitz’s biography of the 40th president of the United States stands as a masterpiece in its category. With rich detail and charm, Reagan’s story comes to life—starting from a poverty-stricken childhood spent in a series of small Midwest towns to his career as a Hollywood actor, governor of California, and ultimately President of the United States.

Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom

by Catherine Clinton

Praised for its thorough research and compelling narrative, Clinton’s biography on Harriet Tubman details one of nineteenth-century America’s most influential figures. As the conductor of the Underground Railroad—a network of safe routes and houses that helped slaves escape into free states—Tubman’s story is all at once singular and complex. A must-read.

Steve Jobs: A Biography

by Walter Isaacson

Having penned the story of Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein, Isaacson is no stranger to the art of the biography. His New York Times bestseller on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is a riveting story of the tech giant’s complicated professional and personal life as he sought to connect creativity with technology.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Volumes I, II, and III

by Blanche Weisen Cook

A powerful trilogy celebrated by historians, politicians, and reviewers alike, Cook’s novels stand as the definitive narrative on one of America’s greatest first ladies. Starting from her early childhood and winding its way through the Great Depression and the founding of the United Nations, this trilogy offers a detailed look into who Eleanor Roosevelt was and the legacy she left to the world.

Thurgood Marshall: American Revolutionary

by Juan Williams

Written by Emmy-winning journalist Juan Williams, this biography is a masterclass on writing your biography. It vividly details the life of America’s first African-American Supreme Court justice and chronicles Marshall’s tireless fight for civil liberties while casting light on race relations in the U.S.

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill

by William Manchester

This gripping tale by William Manchester takes the reader through the first 58 years of Winston Churchill’s life. One of the greatest statesmen of the twentieth century, this well-written book discusses in vivid detail how Churchill built his legacy as an adventurer, aristocrat, and soldier, even during the most troubled of times.

Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo

by Hayden Herrera

The complex and fascinating life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo comes to life at the hands of Hayden Herrera, who masterfully tells the tale of a childhood spent in the Mexican Revolution, a crippling accident at eighteen, and her tempestuous love affairs with the likes of muralist Diego Rivera and Marxist theorist Leon Trotsky.

If you’re wondering whether or not you should consider writing your biography, you’re in good company. But as over 700 Story Terrace customers and their families can attest to, it’s a priceless heirloom that’ll be cherished for generations to come.

Pat Wilson, a Story Terrace client based in Seattle, shared this: “everyone has an interesting story to tell. Their children, their grandchildren would love to hear that story.” No need to wonder how your grandparents first met—that moment will live forever in the pages of a book.

Ready to explore writing your biography? Reaching out to a ghostwriting service can help you kick start the process with a qualified writer who will help manage the entire process for you.

For more details, sign up for our newsletter, or contact us today.

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONDON, 23 January 2019

Story Terrace, the autobiography writing service, today announces that former eBay executive Francois Coumau and former Spotify vice president Angela Watts join Rutger Bruining (CEO) and Marek Gumienny on its Board of Directors. Following strong sales growth for the third year running and a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2018, the start-up aims to expand the reach of its service to the masses.

Story Terrace revolutionizes the way people think about their heritage with a simple idea: a biographer for every person. Customers are carefully matched with and interviewed by one of 500 professional writers in the comfort of their home. The result of the collaboration is a beautifully produced, 100-page hardcover book, including the most meaningful photos of the storyteller’s life. Books are generally shared with family & friends and at times published on Amazon or even in bookstores.

In order to support its growth, Story Terrace has assembled the largest selection of professional biographers in the world. Writers have been published by The New York Times, Penguin Random House, The Financial Times, Bloomsbury, and the Atlantic.

Rutger Bruining, Founder & CEO of Story Terrace, said, “I couldn’t be happier that Francois and Angela are joining our journey. To truly capture the life stories of all of our parents and grandparents, Francois’ experience as General Manager of Continental Europe at eBay and Angela’s experience as VP Global Communications at Spotify from early days through to IPO will be invaluable.”

Francois Coumau commented, “Story Terrace now makes it possible for everyone to capture their own story in a meaningful way, finally creating a solution to the universal desire to leave a personal legacy. I can’t wait to work with Rutger and team to make this inspiring mission a reality.”

Angela Watts added, “Story Terrace’s growth to date is admirable for a company creating a completely new product category – and they’ve only just scratched the surface. I look forward to working with Rutger and his team.”

-- End --

About Story Terrace

Story Terrace’s aim is to create a world where every person captures their story in a meaningful way. To do so, it is looking to turn a million life stories into books using professional ghostwriters by 2028. The company launched in London in June 2015 and opened an office in Los Angeles in July 2017. It has a network of 500 biographers globally, including a five-time Emmy award winner and multiple New York Times bestselling authors. Story Terrace’s largest markets are the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.

For more information, please visit: www.storyterrace.com/press

Story Terrace

Jeltsje Boersma - Press Officer

E: jeltsje@storyterrace.com

T: (+49)(0)162 85 92 669

How my grandfather inspired me to start StoryTerrace

I loved my grandfather’s stories. The room filled with cigar smoke, I would listen to tale after tale as we played backgammon together. I loved to hear about his adventures with his football team, or the time he met my grandmother.

As a member of the Dutch resistance during World War II, he certainly had some tales to share. Tales full of laughter, wisdom, and life lessons that shaped who I became as I grew up.

Today over 500 writers work with Story Terrace worldwide

Sadly, when my grandfather passed away, I realized that the details of those old stories had faded. I had missed the chance to make a record of his life–to write down those stories as only he could tell them.

There were so many questions I wished I had asked. So much I could have learned about how he faced the challenges I was approaching as an adult. And I wished I could show him how important those boyhood stories truly were to me.

It made me wonder - “Why don’t we capture the stories of the people we care about the most?”

Today, this is a common problem. We have Facebook pages, and old home movies and photo albums. But these are often left scattered in boxes, on old computers and discarded and broken phones - and they often don’t tell the important stories.

"We want to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to capture their story in a meaningful way."

It’s this inspiration that made me give up my day job a few years ago and start StoryTerrace.

At this very moment, we are working with hundreds of people to capture the stories that matter to them, using our global network of over 500 ghostwriters.

Entrepreneurs, refugees, beloved parents and grandparents. Doctors, teachers, volunteers, and survivors. Family business owners. People like you and me, capturing their unique heritage and creating a legacy for future generations.

After helping so many people bring their stories to life, we know that everyone has a story to tell.

That's why we are a company with big ambitions. We are aiming to turn 1 million real-life stories into books in the next decade - because we want to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to capture their story in a meaningful way.

So, welcome to the StoryTerrace family. Whether you want to record your own story, or capture the memories of a loved one, I can’t wait to see what we create together.

I am Rutger Bruining, Founder and CEO of StoryTerrace, and I hope that together we can change the way that history is written.

Everyone has a unique story to tell, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to tell it.

A ghostwriter takes someone else’s thoughts or ideas and turns them into written words, usually staying anonymous on the final, published product. There are ghostwriters for just about everything, including articles, technical manuals, and even memoirs.

Stories are the backbone of most family history. They make up much of the conversation around the kitchen table. They’re brought up at weddings, at births, and at funerals. We learn who we are by the lives of those who came before us. We identify ourselves as the Millers clan, the Jones clan, the Smith clan. Working with a ghostwriter can help you preserve this unique history for present and future generations.

Oftentimes, family stories are even more important than the physical objects that get passed down from generation to generation. When you hire a ghostwriter to tell your story, you’re able to pass down both. But, where to start?

How to Find a Ghostwriter

While the internet possesses a wealth of options, sometimes the sheer number can feel overwhelming. Just about anyone can claim the ability to tell someone else’s stories. In reality, ghostwriting requires a particular skill set even within writing itself. Just because someone is a good fiction writer doesn’t mean they would make a good ghostwriter. In fact, even a memoirist isn’t automatically able to tell others’ stories.

Perform a Focused Search

There are a few things you can do to narrow down your search options for working with a ghostwriter. Asking for recommendations from those you know is a great way to start. You can also search profiles on LinkedIn, or check out pages or groups on Facebook. It can also be beneficial to check out ghostwriting companies. These companies have a number of ghostwriters on hand who have passed screening and training, and they have successful books under their belt. Such companies also have a hand in the project from beginning to end, so you’re not left to micromanage or guess which step should come next.

Find a Ghostwriter Whose Style You Like

A good ghostwriter should be able to impersonate you while also possessing a personal writing style you admire. Ghostwriters can’t always say who their clients are, due to non-disclosure agreements. However, most can show you examples of their work in other forms. If you find a ghostwriter you like but can’t find an example of their voice, you can always ask for a paid sample on a particular topic.

Make a Personal Connection

One of the most important aspects of a quality collaboration is trust. You will no doubt be sharing very personal information when you hire a ghostwriter. For this reason, it is imperative that you are comfortable with him or her. Speaking in person, over the phone, or on Skype can help you determine your level of comfort. Using these methods for the interviews is also a good idea. StoryTerrace has ghostwriters who conduct interviews in the comfort of the customer’s home. Teresa Samuel says of working with her ghostwriter: "Sara really took the time to help me to find the structure in the story of my life.” Many times, some of the most important nuggets in a book come out of conversations that digressed from the main question, and these are more easily obtained in face-to-face interactions.

Collaborate on the Scope and Process

Before any work takes place, you and the ghostwriter should be clear on what type of book you want to write and how it will be written. You don’t need to know your exact themes, because the ghostwriter often comes to these on their own off the interview notes. But you will want to know your intended audience. Are you creating the book for your family? For marketing purposes? For yourself? Once this has been determined, make a plan for the next steps. Most ghostwriters will provide some combination of handing over a rough outline for approval, writing a first draft for approval, and then writing a third or final draft for completion.

Use an Editor and/or Designer

Working with a ghostwriter is just one of the steps to creating a finished project. Your book will also need to be looked over by an experienced editor. The format of the book, and the placement of pictures, etc., will be the job of a designer. Lastly, you need someone to print the book. These added necessities are another benefit of going with a ghostwriting company. Most companies, like Story Terrace, have staff on hand who each play their part in the final product. It is like buying in bulk instead of paying for each item individually.

Whether you want to tell your own story or help a family member tell theirs, there are individuals and organizations out there who can make this wish come to life. Imagine your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews having ready access to your life’s journey. The text and any pictures you include can be right there within the pages, ready to be opened at any and all times. Your voice will stay with those you love, and your stories will be told your way. As Peter Handke says, “If a nation loses its storytellers, it loses its childhood.”

If you’re ready to start working with a ghostwriter or just want more information, sign up for the Story Terrace newsletter or contact us for a free consultation.

There’s this idea that biographies only exist for celebrities, heads of state, or the founders of Fortune 500 companies. But that’s the furthest thing from the truth.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your life story is worth telling, then think about this: in your own unique way, you’ve made a meaningful impact on the world around you and touched the lives of those in your orbit.

No matter how small we perceive our actions, their impact on others—and the future—is often much bigger than we can see or understand. Yes, your story is one worth telling. Writing your biography is a powerful experience with benefits that go beyond preserving memories for the next generation (although that’s definitely a compelling reason to put some ink to paper!).

But what exactly are those benefits? We talked to several people who chose to write their life story and found four compelling reasons to start writing yours today.

1. It allows you to leave a written legacy for future generations

Chuck often wished he had a recorded history of his family. After some thought, he decided to do something about it and opted to have his biography written. “I wish my mother and father had done it. I wish my grandfather had done it. We have lots of things we talk about doing. And we never do. And this was one of them.”

Putting your memoirs and life story into words leaves a legacy for generations to come. It becomes a sacred family heirloom that can be passed down for years, helping to strengthen the bond between family members through shared stories, meaningful anecdotes, and a narrative rich in details that might have otherwise been forgotten.

It’s also a way of preserving a moment in time, giving future family members a glimpse of what life was like during a particular era.

Chuck, who opted to have his biography ghostwritten, had this to say: “Obviously, one can write [a biography] themselves. But it’s a pretty big task. And you need help—well, at least I did. Seeing this little [Story Terrace] ad prompted me to get going on something that I had thought about. Whether it was a book or recording, I wanted to start as young as I could and remember the things from when I was a young boy right through the end of my life. Their writer Eric did a wonderful job of putting it all together. I think they did a really wonderful job. The quality, the cover, the pages—I’m very impressed with what it is.”

Much like Chuck, many of our customers note how much they enjoy the interview process with a professional writer and that the opportunity to reflect on their life path is a beautiful experience.

2. It helps you connect with your family and friends

The Pepper family wanted to commemorate their patriarch’s 80th birthday in a way that would help them feel closer to him while preserving a piece of family history. “Our oldest son Rick, his wife Patty and their son Rich were talking about my husband’s birthday coming up. And they wanted something special. Our grandson Rich said ‘maybe we can have a book written about Chichi and Pa’s life.’ They researched and found Story Terrace.”

Working on a biography as a family unit can reinforce memories and strengthen bonds—especially when multiple generations are involved. It can be a beautiful shared experience and a powerful way to pass down the family’s legacy from grandparent to grandchild. As the Pepper family recounts: “Things [came] up [during the process] that were very important but kind of got lost in the background. Putting, in many cases, smiles on our faces and laughter in the room.”

3. It gives you an opportunity to reconstruct the narrative of your life

One important benefit of biography writing is the ability to put a traditional story structure on the events of your life by giving them a beginning, middle, and end. These events may appear random and unconnected, but thinking about it from that perspective isn’t always beneficial. Psychology Today notes that “it helps to think about how the various events—even the bad ones—have been part of a journey toward the person you want to become. Writing it down or telling it to someone else can help you impose that organization on it, help you identify key events, and even help you just rehearse and remember the details in a way that helps you become the author of your own life.”

Writing a biography about yourself gives you a moment to reflect on your life, soaking in the nostalgia and reminiscing on the good times you’ve shared with family and friends.

4. It can be therapeutic

Turns out, writing about yourself is a wonderful form of self-care! Various scientific studies have documented the psychological benefits of journaling. Putting pen to paper serves as an effective form of therapy that can reduce stress, boost cognition, and increase creativity. In fact, a study conducted by social psychologist James W. Pennebaker at the University of Texas at Austin found that labeling emotions through writing helps make sense of them and produces a positive outcome.

As Psychology Today notes, “emotional, autobiographical storytelling can be a path to truly owning your story.” And by sharing that story, you can use your experience as a way to help others in a similar situation.

“But wait a second, —I’m no Hemingway.

I don’t even know where to start.”

Most people are intimidated by the prospect of writing a report, much less a lengthy biography. Reaching out to a ghostwriting service can help you kick start the process with a qualified writer who will help you manage the entire process for you.

Ready to enjoy the benefits of writing your biography? Contact us for a free consultation, or you can sign up for the Story Terrace newsletter for more information.

When you write over 500 life stories, you learn quite a lot about life. That wisdom is captured in an incredible way through the quotes our customers have chosen to feature on the back covers of their books. Have a look at these amazing covers and 'blurbs'. What quote would you choose for your own back cover?

Olden B. "Jay" JohnsonNavigating Through the C's of Life

"Let’s be frank: no one says to someone they want to encourage, “Be average!” Nor should they. Throughout history, people the world over are told and retold stories of the greats that have gone above and beyond, challenging the status quo along the way, and as a result, have made a tremendous difference. And while there’s no one-size- fits-all model for how to go big, it is also true that you won’t get there by striving to be average or settling for the bare minimum. You have to reach higher. You have to go big or go home!"Jo DaveyLife is an Adventure, Not a List

"When I was young, the attitude to life was “Get on with it” and I try.I live by the motto, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” and I feel very strongly about equality – especially equal work for equal pay, because for years I didn’t get it.I also try not to be good! "
German LamThe Dragon Turns to Water

"I was born in the Chinese year of the dragon. Dragons are fierce and hard; they are the king of the Chinese Astrological signs. But you cannot be a dragon all of the time. Sometimes you have to be soft and flow like fluid. To know when to be which is the key to my own personal philosophy called the freestyle lifestyle."

Haroon Omar Mahdi

A Boy's Journey

"A friend came to pick me up and drive me to his place in Islamabad, where I would have to go into hiding until my family worked out how to get me out of the country. There was no time to say goodbye to my family properly, or to collect up my precious medical books. I stuffed a couple of items of clothing into a bag and left the house. From now on I was on my own, and I was running for my life."

Robert James

The American Success Story of a Technically Cockney Lad

"In 1990, when I was 65, I retired from full-time work and had no real idea of what I was going to do other than enjoy myself and spend more time with my children. When I retired from the packaging business, I had operations in the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and four factories in the U.S. But even though I retired, I started four more companies, one of which was very successful. It is important to me to keep my brain active, no matter what age I am. If you don’t keep the mind going ...well, I do not want to find out what would happen."

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This is the third part of our 'Ultimate Guide to Writing a Memoir.'To access the rest of the guide, click here.

Everything’s in place - you know what you're going to include - and you’re ready to start writing. But hang on, where do you actually begin? You'll need to start by setting aside the time to create a habit out of writing.

Once you've established when you're going to write, you need to decide how you're going to write. Your memoir needs to sound like you're telling the story, so developing your own unique style is an important part of the process.

Creating a habit

1. Identify the times you could be writing

Unless you’re living a life of leisure, you’re going to have to fit writing your story around your existing commitments. Determining when you have free time, and how you spend it, is the first step in finding the time to write your story. Once you know what you are doing when you could be writing, you can make a plan to sit down and get started.

2. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals for your writing

We all have goals, but often they’re vague and we have no idea how we are actually going to achieve them. To create a writing habit, setting S.M.A.R.T. goals provides structure and trackability with clear milestones and estimations of the goal’s attainability. For your goal to be S.M.A.R.T. it has to fit into each category: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.

Specific: what exactly do you want to achieve? Where? How? When? Why? The more specific your goal, the greater the chances of achieving it. For example, you want to write your life story. This is vague. More specifically, you want to write for half an hour everyday so that in one year you’ve finished the first draft of your life story.

Measurable: break down your goal into elements that you can measure. This way, you can track your progress and assess whether or not you’re on target to achieve your goal. For example, set a daily word count and reach that number everyday you write. Mark these days on a calendar so you can clearly see how well you’re doing.

Attainable: is your goal attainable? Can you actually do it? Committing yourself to writing everyday may not be realistic if you’re already struggling to find enough hours in the day. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Plan smartly and find a way to make your goal attainable.

Relevant: do you actually want to do this? Are you committed and willing to put the effort in? Are you the right person for the job? Answering these questions will help you to establish whether or not your goal is to write your life story yourself, or have your life story written by a professional ghostwriter. This will save you a lot of time and effort, and you still end up with a beautiful, hardbound book of your life.

Time-bound: is there an end-date for your goal? Even if you don’t know exactly when you will finish your book, setting a deadline for each goal keeps you motivated to get the job done, and helps you to avoid procrastination. Remember to keep your timeline realistic. You don’t want to rush your project.

3. Find your time to write - and stick to it

It takes three to four weeks to turn a new activity into a habit. Schedule your writing and stick to it for just three weeks and you’ll create a writing habit with ease.

The best thing you can do to form a habit, is pick a time of day and stick to it. If you consider yourself a morning person, why not wake up ten minutes earlier and start your day productively by writing? If you’re a night owl, try writing before you settle down for bed.

There is always a perfect time to write for every person - you just have to find what works for you, and use it as much as possible.

4. Do the small things that drive big results

The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, is named after Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist. According to Pareto, 80% of our output is driven by just 20% of our efforts. This means that we spend the majority of our time generating just a small fraction of our results.

Is this true for you? Try to find out. Do you slow down after you write 1,000 words? Do you spend too much time editing and reworking your writing without tangible results? Try to get these bad habits under control - and when you know you’ve gone beyond your '20%', just stop. Whether you set a short word limit, or a brief time frame for writing (e.g. 15 minutes), use Pareto’s principle to focus your energy.

5. Reward yourself

Writing in your spare time doesn’t mean you have to give up your other hobbies. Finding the time to write could be as little as ten minutes in a day. Your other pastimes can then become a reward. For example, if you decide that you want to substitute watching television with writing, try saving up your favourite box set to watch when you reach a milestone in your S.M.A.R.T. goals.

Developing Your Style

Write how you would talk.

You’re already an expert at communicating in your own style - when you speak. It’s your story. It should be written in your voice. Read over what you’ve written, and ask yourself: is this how you would talk? Would you actually say that? If you aren’t sure, ask someone. And if the answer is no, ask yourself: why?

Get feedback to make sure your writing 'sounds like you'.

Know who you're talking to.

Who are you writing your book for? Focusing your narrative with a target audience in mind will help to develop your style. Try thinking of a specific person - whether it be a family member, friend, or colleague. Think of someone that you’d want to read your book, and write with them in mind. It will change your tone.

Write a little, a lot.

If you’re struggling to develop a unique style - which doesn’t necessarily come to you overnight - writing a little, often can help. Just getting into the habit of writing down your thoughts, however they present themselves, can help to develop your writing style. As the saying goes: practice makes perfect. Write a small amount every day to perfect your technique.

Write what you would read.

When you read over your words, are you excited or bored? If it’s the latter, it’s likely you’re not writing as yourself. If what you’re writing about interests you, you’ll be able to write it in such a way that - even at the very least - you will find engaging.

Find your favourite books and ask yourself what it is about them that you love.

Don't just mimic your favorite writers.

Use your favourite writers as inspiration, by all means. But don’t imitate their style, wholesale. Copying someone else’s style will only produce second-rate work. You don’t want your story to be a pastiche. Think like a curator in an art gallery - pick out the aspects of their writing that most appeal to you and incorporate them in your own way.

Read Chapter 4: Overcoming Writer's Block

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This is the fourth part of our 'Ultimate Guide to Writing a Memoir.'To access the rest of the guide, click here.

What is writer's block?

Writer’s block can affect anyone - it’s a popular name for that moment when you are in the midst of a project, but you lack the inspiration or drive to write another word.

What actually causes writer's block?

Common causes of writer’s block are timing, fear, and perfectionism. Any one of these causes can 'block' a writer.

Timing: There are certain times of day, or days in a week, that you just don’t want to write. You’re too tired. You’re too busy. That’s okay.

Fear: People are often scared to put their ideas out there, open to the criticism of others.

Perfectionism: Some people want everything to be perfect in their minds before putting pen to paper. This just isn’t going to happen, so the writing never begins.

How to overcome writer's block

We’ve found some great ways to help overcome writer’s block and get you back on track.

Embrace your concerns: Being afraid is okay. It’s justified. Accept and embrace your fear and it won’t overwhelm you or put you off. Your first draft won’t be perfect. Remember that you can go back and edit when it’s done, and you’ll be able to keep writing.

Do something else: Write a poem, draw or paint a picture. Doing something different but equally creative will help to get those creative juices flowing again before you go back to writing.

Read: Reading can help you to remember why you’re writing your story in the first place. Books will help to inspire you and give you some encouragement to keep going.

Change your environment: Is your desk chair comfortable? Well lit? Would writing be more exciting if you change where you do it? Why not try going to a nearby coffee shop? Find a space you’ll look forward to being in and you’ll look forward to writing too.

Free write: Literally write anything. Spend 15 minutes a day just writing. Ignore punctuation, and just go. Set a timer and write whatever comes to mind. Either do this for a week or so and then return to your writing project, or free write for 15 minutes and then go back to it straight away. Who knows what you’ll come up with!

The foolproof method

If none of the above methods seem to be working, there is one way to overcome writer’s block that works. The foolproof method is: just write.

If you just focus on one sentence, and then the next, and keep going, your inspiration will come back. You can write. The first draft doesn’t have to be the best draft. It just has to be there. So write.

Read Chapter 5: Editing and Proofreading