Writer and musician
It’s interesting the way each of us experience significant life events differently We put them through our filters, defined by our personalities, upbringings, attitudes and attach different meanings to them. The way I respond to my (fictional) Aunt Joan dying might be totally different to the way my brother responds. To me she was a …
Autumn arrived here in Tākaka over the last few days. There are cool mornings to accompany the fresh apples, peaches, zucchinis and even (heaven) grapes growing at our house. Today I want to tell you about five cool images, some possibly unexpected, that you can include in your memoir, life story or history. This is …
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I’m celebrating my Aunty Joyce this week, who has just died She left Devon to come to New Zealand in the sixties to join her feisty big sister Jean in Christchurch. She was only young when she caught one of the first flights to New Zealand, and I’d love to hear the in depth story …
Everytime I meet someone who is busy writing their memoir, life story or family history I feel so happy. Regardless of whether they’re on my memoir writing course or not, it feels like good historic house-work is being done. When I learn that people are recording those details, I know members of their families will …
Continue reading "Questions they’ll wish they asked you – for your memoir"
Kia ora, Do me a favour today and look back over your work on your memoir or story so far, and take a moment to appreciate the work you’ve put into it. If you’ve managed to get more organised - well done 👏🏼 If you’ve managed to do some research - good work 👍🏼 If …
Continue reading "Celebrate how far you’ve come dear writer! 👏🏼"
Every single book I’ve worked on, or supported someone to write, has been different. No one writes their life story or family history in the same way, because each of our lives are so different. And I like it this way. Some people start at the end of their life stories and work back. Some …
Continue reading "If there was just one thing you were careful of as you write your memoir"
Well hello to you dear writer, A warm January welcome to those of you who are new to my weekly email. This is Charlotte, writer/writing teacher/musician/mum/wife, reaching out to you from beautiful Golden Bay, New Zealand. The first thing I want to say to you this year is: keep going. No matter where you’re at …
Tis the season 🎄 What’s Christmas for you? For me it’s all about family. Oh and food, so much food. My siblings and their families will be gathering at my house, where my mother lives too, and we’ll be spending precious time together. The kids will bounce on the tramp, there may be water pistols. …
Kia ora, I write with a brown dog resting on my slippered feet. Today I want to talk to you about lifting the hood on why you are who you are. One of my students is a great orator. He can spin a yarn and hold his audience captivated with stories of his interesting life. …
Kia ora people! Charlotte Squire here 👋🏼 I'm sitting at my kitchen table, here in Tākaka, Golden Bay, pondering a trip across the Cook Straight in November to visit New Zealand's capital. I'm keen to help more people around Aotearoa/New Zealand get cracking writing their memoirs, life stories and family histories! So I’m coming to …
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Kia ora, hey there 👋🏼 I'm Charlotte Squire, Kiwi lass/wāhine, depending on which way you want to go, and I'm on a mission to inspire more people to write their memoirs, life stories and family histories. So lately, I've been hanging out at libraries all over Aotearoa, New Zealand both in person, and online, to …
Kia ora! People often ask me if they have to write their memoir life story or family history from beginning to end. And my answer is: nope! You could start mid-point, like one of my memoir students is, at a moment when, on one snowy day in a Kiwi national park, she and her friends …
Hey there memoir writer, How’s your story coming along this week? Over the weekend I got to write another page or two of my novel, ahhh it was so fun! I’m at that busy stage of life raising children and working full time. Once a month our local writers group meet and I dive back …
Kia ora, Today I have two questions about your life story, memoir or family history, for you. Firstly - what do you think you could realistically achieve in 90 days? This needs to be something you feel confident that you could do in three months. And your goal needs to be very clear and specific. …
Kia ora, This week I want to remind you that without exception, each person’s story matters. Your story is part of our social fabric and connects us to our past. If you take the time to record it today, one day someone might read it and piece together some important clues about their own past. …
Continue reading "Your words are valuable breadcrumbs for future generations"
It’s a question I hear often. Are you feeling overwhelmed with ideas and paperwork, yet yearning to write your life story, memoir or family history? Do you have absolutely no idea how to get this party started, so to speak? Ok, as my 15 year old recently said to me “I’ve got you.” Here’s where …
Continue reading "Where to start with your memoir, life story or family history?"
Charlotte Squire 