Keep writing. For me, writing is nourishment. When I make the time to write, I’m amazed at what comes out of me! It’s almost like I’m reading it as I write it, I never know quite what’s going to come out. I’m working on my second novel right now, it’s going to take me a …
Where to print your book
Kia ora memoir writer! How’s your story coming along today? Today I want to answer a question I often get asked - ‘where can I print my book?’ The answer is: it depends. If you’re keeping things simple and you’re not fussy about how it looks, pop along to your local print shop and ask …
How to do a good job of mentioning others in your story
Kia ora writers! Let’s talk about people and how they might appear in your story. For me, this is about accuracy and relationships. It’s pretty hard to avoid mentioning others in your memoirs, life stories and family histories. If possible, it’s good to take the time to make sure you’re quoting or paraphrasing them correctly. …
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Join Write Your Memoir this month for a free book cover and a discount
Kia Ora from Aotearoa New Zealand! That’s me hanging out in the hills of the Rāmeka Valley, Golden Bay, which is incidentally the area I’m setting the fictional novel I’m writing. The Rāmeka is filled with history and is set up for adventure, risk and intrigue. These days it’s a popular mountain biking destination and …
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An easy tool you can use to start recording your story now
Kia ora! This is Charlotte, reaching out from Golden Bay after a weekend of talking memoirs at libraries on the West Coast of the South Island. Welcome to my (mostly) weekly coaching session Coasters! Today I have an offering for both those who don’t feel comfortable writing and those who want to record ideas as …
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When should you start writing your story?
I popped into a cafe recently for my favourite salmon and cream cheese tart and the lady at the counter said she’d just been thinking of me. “I’ve been wanting to ask you to help me with my great aunty’s story for ages,” she said as she served me. “But I can’t now, because we’ve …
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Introducing The Great Senior Kiwi Write Up!
Could this be the year you write your life story, memoir or family history? You can do it! And I have something for you, totally free, to help you get started. https://youtu.be/yOicMXgmB6E I’m Charlotte Squire, I live in Golden Bay, Aotearoa, New Zealand, and I’ve been a writer for over 20 years. During that time …
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Are you repeating yourself?
Me pondering repetition 🤔 Kia Ora! How are you and how is your story coming along? I’m writing beside a coughing, sneezing seven year old, ahh the joys of motherhood! Today I want to ask you if you’re repeating yourself in your story? This is very easy to do, and it can be subtle and …
The vital writing lesson I learned when I was seven that you should know too
Mōrena (good morning) from Aotearoa, New Zealand 👋🏼 When I was a news reporter I would often have to sum up complex stories in two paragraphs. It was hard. But there was one basic thing that would really help me. I didn’t learn at four years of university, or from being mentored by some experienced …
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Five interesting things you can include in your memoir, life story or history.
Kia ora, hello! Charlotte here, tuning in from Tākaka, New Zealand, where dark and broody clouds have been hovering in the mountains, threatening to arrive all day. Today I want to tell you about the cool things you can include in your memoir, life story or history. The rule is: if you can scan it, …
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How to introduce people in your memoir and why it matters
Kia ora from Tākaka, Golden Bay. I have two eight years tearing around my front lawn using big words that you wouldn’t think eight year olds would know, and a huge, needy dog lounging beside me. Today I want to talk about introductions. You will probably include people in your story - they may be …
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One trick to make long pages of text more interesting, when you’re writing your memoir
https://youtube.com/shorts/iaA9kkd_oQ0?feature=share I often use this method to break up long chunks of text when I’m writing memoirs for people. Why? To make it more interesting for readers.I call them subheadings. And I write them in bold. You can add these throughout your story to create some variety for the reader and give them an enticing …
The power of the sexy first paragraph!
Want to keep people engaged in reading your memoir? Behold! The power of the sexy first paragraph!
This woman’s psychic
Starting any new project can be scary and launching my online Write Your Memoir course definitely was! After years of helping people write their stories, I knew I had some knowledge to share, and I’d been learning how to set up and tell people about online courses, but still, it’s been a leap of faith …
Want to write your memoir but no idea where to start?
Me, just hanging at the beach, telling people how to start writing memoirs. As you do. Kia ora! Charlotte here, tuning in from Tākaka, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Do you want to write your memoir but have absolutely no idea where to start? Firstly, you are so not alone. Many people tell me they have years …
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Writing your memoir? Why your unique voice matters.
Charlotte Squire Some people worry that they’re not writing things the ‘right way.’ https://youtube.com/shorts/RaVhjzv2wyc?feature=share I’ve found that people who didn’t enjoy writing at school and people who learned English later in life will sometimes second guess their ability to write their stories. But honestly, some of the best stories I’ve read or worked on didn’t …
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Is it time to write your memoir, life story or history? 