Write your memoir, life story or history
With Kiwi writer Charlotte Squire
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 …
Continue reading "An easy tool you can use to start recording your story now"
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 …
Continue reading "When should you start writing your story?"
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 …
Continue reading "Introducing The Great Senior Kiwi Write Up!"
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "The vital writing lesson I learned when I was seven that you should know too"
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, …
Continue reading "Five interesting things you can include in your memoir, life story or history."
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 …
Continue reading "How to introduce people in your memoir and why it matters"
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 …
Want to keep people engaged in reading your memoir? Behold! The power of the sexy first paragraph!
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "Want to write your memoir but no idea where to start?"
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 …
Continue reading "Writing your memoir? Why your unique voice matters."
Charlotte Squire Some people worry they’re not skilled enough to write their memoirs. It’s hardly surprising, considering how many times we’re told we’re spelling things wrong, or using that apostrophe in the wrong place. But here’s the thing: that stuff doesn’t really matter. Sure it’s good to have the spelling and grammar all sorted when …
Continue reading "When you’re not sure you’re skilled enough to write your memoir"
I had fun making it this little vid (see below) about a person asking this man if he’d started writing his memoir yet. And there are more to come! Kia Ora, Charlotte Squire here. I live in a small rural community of 5000 people, where word of mouth travels fast. So I couldn’t resist making …
Continue reading "Fun little vid series about whole town asking man if he’s written memoir yet"
Kia ora! Once you dive into writing your memoir it’ll be almost as if you’ve gone back in time, to the days you’re thinking of. The more you focus on those times, the more details you’ll remember from those days - people, experiences and feelings will resurface. That’s why I recommend you start a system …
Continue reading "Why you should keep a notebook close-by when you’re writing your memoir"
Charlotte Squire It’s an easy question to overlook when you’re writing your memoir, life story or history, but it’s an important one. Before you start writing it’s useful to be clear about who this book is for. Is it for your family? If it is, you might include more personal family information such as family …
Write your memoir, life story or history 