There’s an old saw horse sitting under our feijoa trees. It’s rickety and scarred. Kinda like the man who used to use it. Actually, he probably would have taken exception with the word ‘rickety,’ dying before he could match that description, but he had some impressive scars, including one from a bullet, on his forehead. …
The painting Gran and I made
This painting means the world to me. It sits in my bedroom, leaning against a wall and I guess, looking at it, no one would have any idea of the story behind it. https://youtu.be/9OGebSsVuEA You can watch and listen to this story on video if you’d prefer. I was very close to my grandmother. Her …
Writing your memoir can be hard.
There will probably be moments when you have no idea why you started writing your story. Keep writing. There will be times when you ask yourself ‘does that make any sense at all?’ Keep writing. You may wonder if anyone will ever read your story. Keep writing. You may tell yourself ‘I am a terrible …
How to deal with information overload when writing your memoir or family history
Kia ora, I write to you bleary eyed after a night of tending to a coughing eight year old. Because I felt tired when I woke up this morning, and I have a long list of tasks I want to cross off my list (I’m such a list person), I could have felt overwhelmed initially. …
Continue reading "How to deal with information overload when writing your memoir or family history"
Bring your senses into your memoir
Kia Ora 👋 This week I want to talk about helping readers understand what you experienced, by encouraging you to share what you sensed, in your story. What did you see, hear, feel, smell and taste? When you can bring in even one of your senses, do, because it brings so much more depth of …
Keep writing
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "An easy tool you can use to start recording your story now"
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 …
Continue reading "When should you start writing your story?"
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 …
Continue reading "Introducing The Great Senior Kiwi Write Up!"
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "Writing your memoir? Why your unique voice matters."
When you’re not sure you’re skilled enough to write your memoir
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"
Fun little vid series about whole town asking man if he’s written memoir yet
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"
Why you should keep a notebook close-by when you’re writing your memoir
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"
Tip #2 Clarify who your life story is for
Being clear about who you’re writing your life story for before you start writing will make it easier for you. Who are you writing your story for? Yourself? Your family? The public? Who ever it’s for, knowing this from the start will also set the tone and determine what you include. Will you unleash all …
Continue reading "Tip #2 Clarify who your life story is for"
Charlotte Squire 