Writer and musician
There’s something about old community halls that I love. They ooze history and character. They speak of the events of yesteryear, of the sweet new beginnings of weddings, of the many flavours of meetings that took place there, of the funerals - some expected, some not - and the iconic dances that people would travel …
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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. …
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 …
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. …
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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. 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 …
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 …
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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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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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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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 …
Want to keep people engaged in reading your memoir? Behold! The power of the sexy first paragraph!
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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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"
https://youtu.be/jhKpI8Cb-48 Before you start writing your memoir it’s important to know why you’re writing it and who for Just as you need solid foundations to build a house, you need to put in some decent planning before you write your memoir, life story or family history. Two things to clarify before you begin are: 1. …
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For some, this is a revelation, a ticket to freedom! For others this suggestion is about as wild and on the edge as running naked down a busy city street. Many of us have been told NEVER to write on the back of our precious photos, but I've come across folk who eventually thrown their …
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Charlotte Squire 