A journey from 1973, breaking my neck at 15, to breaking free from expectations.
I write because my life has never followed a straight line. Since a rugby accident shattered my body and the future everyone had mapped out for me. My memoirs trace the path from the weight of expectations, school, marriage, family, career, the tidy boxes society builds, through the collapse of that life, the reinvention of myself in a foreign culture, and ultimately, the realisation that true peace begins with acceptance.
Book by book, I share what I’ve learned:
That no matter how hard you try, you can’t live the life others expect of you.
That starting over isn’t failure—it’s freedom.
And that true peace comes when you stop wrestling with the world and simply become the person you already are.
Roger Warner
Author of Memoirs, Poetry & Life Stories
“Even with tigers chasing me and mice at my feet, I’ll always reach for the strawberry.”
Welcome to my world of words. My writing is born from a life lived with both struggle and joy, navigating disability, survival, and the search for freedom. Through my memoirs, I share the lessons I’ve learned about resilience, love, and the power of embracing life’s sweet moments, no matter how small.
I’m the author of Life’s a Strawberry, You Can’t Eat Love, and my upcoming memoir No Wisdom Without Suffering. Each book is rooted in my belief that no matter what hardships we face, there’s always a “strawberry” worth tasting—a moment of beauty, joy, or meaning.
My First Book
Life’s a Strawberry (Memoir #1)
“When the future laid out for you collapses, what comes next?”
This first memoir follows my younger self, a man trying to fit into the blueprint society laid out: marriage, children, a stable career, a house to call home. But life doesn’t always respect our plans. Life’s a Strawberry is the story of what happens when that neatly drawn future collapses, and you’re forced to ask: Who am I, really, when all of that is stripped away?Inspired by the Zen fable of the strawberry, this book is about choosing to taste the sweetness of life even when chased by the tigers of the past and the mice of the present.
Memoir Three
No Wisdom Without Suffering
My Third Book Now in Progress
No Wisdom Without Suffering (Memoir #3 – Coming Soon)
“When you stop trying to control others, you finally find peace.”
This third memoir is about recognition—about finally understanding that the only life you can control is your own. Through lessons learned from Buddhist culture and the quiet wisdom of Thai monks, I came to realise a hard truth: no matter how much you love a crazy dog, it will still bite you.
This is a book about acceptance. About becoming who you truly are—not who others would like you to be. And about the peace that comes when you stop fighting yourself.
My New Release
You Can’t Eat Love (Memoir #2)
“Rebuilding a life on the other side of the world.”
This second memoir is about reconstruction, starting life number two, with new parameters, new dreams, and new challenges. Set in Thailand, it’s the story of carving out an identity in a foreign culture, building businesses from scratch, and facing love and betrayal with both courage and humour.It’s about the struggle of not knowing exactly who I was, or where I was going, but pressing forward anyway.
August 8th 2025
They’ve Lived It Through My Words
Real readers, real reflections—honest responses to the stories and struggles that shaped my journey
TESTIMONIALS
What They Say About My Books ?
PREVIEW – You Can’t Eat Love
Having read Life’s a Strawberry the first volume of the life of my dear friend Roger
Warner and loved it, it meant reliving Roger’s accident which was hard. Roger’s writing
bought it all vividly to life again. I have waited patiently for volume 2 – You Can’t Eat
Love and it hasn’t disappointed. Roger’s life in Thailand came to life with all its light and
colour and of course its dark side. The book is so well written I lived it with him. Now I
have to wait while Roger writes the next installment – get writing Mr Warner.
By Deborah Stokes
REVIEW – Life's a Strawberry
Roger Warner's "Life's a Strawberry" is a powerful memoir detailing his journey after suffering a severe spinal injury as a boy. This isn't just a story of physical recovery; it's a testament to the human spirit's incredible capacity for resilience and hope.
Warner bravely recounts the immediate aftermath of his accident, revealing the raw pain and frustration with unflinching honesty. Yet, his narrative quickly shifts to the arduous process of rehabilitation, where his remarkable determination shines through. He beautifully articulates the challenges of redefining identity and purpose, transforming a devastating event into a compelling story of growth and rediscovery.
This memoir offers a deeply personal and inspiring look at overcoming immense adversity. Warner's candid voice, coupled with moments of unexpected humor, makes "Life's a Strawberry" a truly impactful read, demonstrating that even after life's hardest blows, a new and meaningful future is always possible.
By Mike Bridge
Memoir Photo Albums
“Behind the Words – My Life in Pictures”
Every story is made up of moments, some captured in memory, others frozen in time by a single photograph. These albums are not just collections of images, but visual chapters that complement my memoirs. They show the places I’ve lived, the people who’ve shaped my journey, and the landscapes—both beautiful and challenging—that have defined my life.
Just as my books are built on honesty and reflection, these photos open a window into the raw and unpolished moments behind the stories. Explore the galleries connected to each book:
