Kia ora, wherever you are,
Charlotte here. I returned from a full trip to Wellington and Palmerston North on Monday with some amazing memories … and COVID!
So I’ve been isolating all week, not a bad thing considering I’m always looking for a reason to spend more time in my cosy bed reading.
Warm welcome to those of you who found me because I gave a free workshop in Wellington.
At that workshop one question I was asked was ‘how do you weave several different threads of life together in one story?’.
I want to show you how, by telling you what I did in Palmerston North.
‘Surprising Vince
You never know where your creations are going to end up, and in my case an album I recorded found its way into the world of a future beloved mentor.
It was back in the days of CDs and a friend was playing my album on her computer at work. My music was very raw and emotional, I can just imagine it ringing out across the offices of the Palmerston North City Council, while they planned their roads and waste management, ha ha!
Council CEO Lorraine Vince, aka Vince, heard it, must have found it interesting and insisted on buying two copies.
Years later, I’d been trying to find a business mentor, but no one felt quite right for me, until my friend connected me with Vince. She became my steadfast advisor and support, during those early years as I built up my business writing books for people.
She saw my baby – Taane – grow into a toddler. She saw my eight year old – Kaahu – begin to develop into a young man. She heard the stories of my husband Marty’s efforts to maintain his wellness, around his intense work in mental health. She saw us transition from a tiny house to an actual, ‘normal’ house. And always, she cheered me on.
One day, I vowed to honour her by playing music for her at her house. And last week I did. After months of scheming with her partner, I played a surprise house concert for Vince and her friends. She laughed, cried and sang. And both of us made unforgettable memories.’
In my opinion it’s very possible to weave together the work and the personal, if you do it one vignette at a time, beneath a broader chapter heading. You choose the degree of detail you want to go into, and keep asking yourself ‘will this make sense for my future readers?’
Have a play with it?
Charlotte x
PS if you’ve been thinking of joining my course Write Your Memoir you have until tomorrow (Friday 24 at 2.51 pm, yes, random, I know) to make the most of my 30% off special. Just use the word NOVEMBER in your coupon code. You can pay all at once, or in monthly instalments.
PPS I’m currently running a community memoir course here in Golden Bay, where I meet with a group, once a season, for one year, to touch base and help people maintain their focus and momentum on their stories. If you’d like me to run a memoir course in your community, I’d love to help. Here’s some information.
Charlotte Squire 