These true family tales and stories feature various continents, adventurous people and everyday life. These twenty-seven short stories span a 100-year period from the 1920s to 2020s.
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Meet The Author
I was motivated to write short stories about my family, friends, and my own experiences. From a young age I was interested in the family tales discussed around the dining table. There were talented story tellers amongst my uncles and aunties.
Soon I realised that these valuable stories would be lost as the elders pass away. My goal during the pandemic lockdown was to put these tales to writing, to provide a legacy for my family and friends.
Something else happened when I researched and documented these tales. There was a transcendence from fading memory to lasting text.
It was a three-year project yet extremely enjoyable. I encourage all to seek out their family tales and document them.
- I use the professional editing services of Patricia Higgins (Moreton Bay Editor).
- If you need a printed copy of the final booklets (in English only), contact me.
- I also paint (paintings, not walls), see www.hugovisualart.com.
A Book Review
Month
February, 2025
By
Meghan Sangster
Title – Words Paint Our Family Portrait
Author – Hugo Aurelio Toro
‘Oh my gosh, I just read the sample short stories and Wow Wow Wow. I got so many goosebumps. It is just written so well and it’s amazing and it’s so special.
It explains so much about the life and family of the author Hugo Toro, and it sounds like such a beautiful but sorrowful story.
He tells and speaks his truth in such a manner that is heartfelt and genuine with total integrity and honesty.’
Frequently Asked Questions
But why?
This question is from confused friends. It refers to my motivation as a writer. No ego here, I am just focused on the job. My driver was simply to capture family tales that would be lost when the elders pass away. I’ll deal with the movie rights later. Seriously though, our written stories will leave a legacy for family and friends.
How, I mean, how?
I Didn’t wait for inspiration, just started writing the family tales that were in my head. My inspiration had been building up since I was a child. There was no lightning bolt moment, but rather a gradual need to write down stories that will fade in our memories.
Where do you write?
I can write anywhere, to capture ideas. My mobile phone is full of notes. I even scribble on a notepad in the middle of the night. Most important is to work in my study space, away from distractions. My senior cat kept me company, snoring as he slept on my recliner chair.
When is the best time to write?
I set a routine that worked for me and my partner. For the three years that I was on this project, I sat down in my studio every morning typing away on my PC. Ideas were fresh then. At lunch time I shut down the PC, and then I did something else for the rest of the day.
What if you are not an experienced writer?
I am a novice writer and got better with practice. I also wanted to rewrite as I improved, but I saved my old drafts just in case. I am even of the view that you don’t want to be an expert so that you can retain your voice, and not copy someone else’s style.
What if you don’t trust your grammar level?
Regardless of skill, the best thing you can do is to engage a professional editor. There are various types of editing services. When you have an early draft, you can have a reader scan it for structure, scene setting and characters, and general feedback. Even family and friends can be readers. Towards the end of the process, have your work edited ‘line by line’. Editors will pick up bloopers that you as an author you cannot see.
Hugo Toro - Author 