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 …
In any order
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 …
Let your words out.
Kia ora! How is your story coming along this week? A few days ago I was talking with a memoir student who has really found her flow as she writes. She says she sits down to work on it, and hours later she emerges, reluctantly! Some days it’s hard for her to stop. She’s enjoying …
Even rough plans can help
Kia ora writer! How is your story coming along this week? Today I want to encourage you to follow at least a rough plan as you write. It might be as simple as arranging your story by decades, or by significant life stages such as your childhood, career, adventures and family years. If you start …
Hand written letters ✍🏽
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 …
Why context matters when you’re writing your memoir, life story or family history
Kia ora, How are you today? I’m feeling sloth-like, after walking a lot with my dog yesterday! For me there is nothing more inviting than a warm, sunny winter’s day. To those who are new here, welcome. Perhaps you came in via a talk I gave to some people in Epsom library yesterday. Or perhaps …
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Tell me about your special places
Time travel with me to my grandmother’s kitchen. We’ll go back 40 years to their solid, two storied, dun coloured house in Richmond. Their house sits on the top of a low hill, at the back of a quiet cul-de-sac where they do, of course, know everyone. We’ll sit at the ‘island’ that divides the …
3 ways to keep people reading your memoir, life story or family history
Do you ever wonder how on earth you’re going to keep people reading and engaged in your story? You’re not alone if you ponder this question, especially if your memoir is dense with facts and figures. Sometimes our stories can use technical language, we might feel as if we're going into too much detail, or …
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What could you write in 90 days?
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. …
Your words are valuable breadcrumbs for future generations
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. …
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Where to start with your memoir, life story or family history?
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 …
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Why your unique voice is your memoir super power
Kia ora from a chilly Golden Bay, Aotearoa, New Zealand 👋🏼 I’m wearing my winter attire: gumboots and a Swanndri. This week I want to talk about your unique voice as a writer. We all have one and you are most certainly no exception. When you write your story, I invite you to relax and …
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Spelling, sweet spelling! I shall write despite you!
Kia ora, Today I’d like to talk about spelling. Please don’t let fear of getting it wrong hold you back from writing your story. English is such a confusing language, because it’s a combo of around six older languages. For many years, although I loved writing creatively, I didn’t feel confident as a speller. People …
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Time travel with me for a lesson about places
Time travel with me? Let’s go back to 1981. I am five years old. It's a wintery morning on the weaving road of the Tākaka Hill, top of the South Island, New Zealand. I am in the back seat of a Ford Zephyr. My dad is driving. My mother’s there too, wearing an old, cream …
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Free downloadable ‘5 steps to write your life story or family history’ printable guide.
Kia ora, hi there 👋🏼 How is your writing journey going? Mine is all sorts of different feelings, some days I feel deeply inspired and eager to write, others I want to be outside frolicking in the sunshine with my dog. But I love to write, so I keep doing it 🤷🏻♀️ My news is …
It’s ok to take a break from writing your story
Hey there, How is your writing project coming along? Today I want to tell you that sometimes it’s ok to take a break. There are days when we can write and we write until we can’t see the ‘wood for the trees.’ That’s usually a good time to step away from your words for a …
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Charlotte Squire 