life story writing services nz

Turn your life story into a book to share with others

We believe in the power of personal stories and the value your lived experience has for now, and the future..

Writing a story from your own lived experience is an act of love and legacy that people now, and generations to come, will treasure. You don’t have to be a professional author to write your story. The words are your own and they’re the right ones! And you don’t have to have had an extraordinary life! All stories are precious to your loved ones.

Living Narratives has enormous respect for people who write their life stories. Whether you’re writing your memoir for future generations to have, or you have a story about a significant part of your life that others could draw on in their own lives, our expertise as book designers help you achieve the incredible – a beautifully designed, finished book.

We’re on a mission

Imagine how much we’d learn about ourselves, others and our society if we had first-hand accounts of our grandparents, great-grandparents and their great-grandparents to delve into? Or how wider our perspective would be if we knew the story of overcoming a challenge that someone our own age has lived through?

That’s what drives Living Narratives. We want you to feel confident to tell your story, whatever your age or background. And that means finding ways to overcome any obstacles that might be holding you back or preventing you from getting started.

Watch this space! We will continue developing our products and services to bring us closer to our mission. And feel free to chat with us – we’d love to hear how you’re going with your life-story-writing journey.

Memoir design & print package

If you’re ready, or nearly ready, to self-publish your story, our Design & Print Package is for you. Get your manuscript turned into an expertly-designed book – printed right here in New Zealand. You’ll receive 25 copies of your book, which you can gift to those who will appreciate it the most – your family and friends! And you never know, one day, 50 years from now, your book might bring joy and fascination to a new generation of family members!

Not sure where to start?

We’ve created a FREE downloadable guide based on our professional and personal experience of what makes a memoir work. Download this resource and keep it handy. It will help you feel inspired to begin writing and encourage you to keep going until it’s done. Imagine how good it will feel to hold your treasured memoir in your hands.

Reach others with your experience

Have you lived through an experience that has changed you? Are you a business leader with knowledge to share? Your story can have impact for others who are looking for guidance, empathy or an example to learn from. Living Narratives helps those who wish to self-publish their story. You write the content, then we turn that into a designed book, either printed, digital, or both, ready for you to get into the hands of the people who will value it most.

Talk to us about your vision and idea.

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Testimonial

“Living Narratives did an incredible job putting together my grandmother’s memoir. They used an old transcript and old loose photos and combined them into a beautiful book which our family will treasure. I highly recommend Living Narrative’s services!”

Tips for telling your life story

Book creation

You’ve written your life story, now what.

Congratulations on writing your story! No doubt it’s been a big job, but hopefully one that you’ve enjoyed doing. read more >

Letters from the past

Letters are incredibly valuable for historians, researchers, and individuals who are interested in learning more about their own family history. read more >

Information

Survey results.

We’ve collated the results of our recent survey.. read more >

The visual family treasures that colour your memoir

The old saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. read more >

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Preserving a life story has never been easier.

Capture your family members’ voice, wisdom and memories forever..

A life history interview is the greatest gift you can give future generations. Many people think they’ll get around to writing their life story, or recording their grandparents. Origin Stories makes it happen!  In just a few hours we can capture a lifetime of memories that will become a family treasure forever.

Telling your life story in your own words is a gift.

It’s a chance to reflect, to make meaning of your choices and decisions, and to see your whole life journey. Your trials, successes, and lessons learned will inspire future generations. Your life history interview allows you to leave a legacy you are proud of. 

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A life history interview is a relaxed and enjoyable experience. The perfect gift for a retirement, birthday, or anniversary.

Testimonials.

Origin Stories was started by Emily Anderson, a trained journalist and oral historian.

Email: info@originstories.co.nz

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Recording Your Story

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We tend to avoid talking about death, dying, grief and loss despite it being something that will affect us all throughout life. There is so much value in documenting your life story as it is something that will become a treasured family keepsake once you’ve passed, capturing all those stories that your family may not have heard before.

It is also a great way to leave a legacy for your loved ones, connect to your creative side, build stronger connections, and develop a real sense of purpose and reflection on the days that you have energy and are feeling inspired. It is common for people with life limiting conditions to start to reflect on their earlier life and natural for them to want to share these memories. For families, the life story that is produced creates a sense of connection that can easily be lost across the generations.

Ways to record your life story

Writing your own memoir.

There are many ways you can record your life story. Most people may know what they want to say in their life story and the messages they want to leave, but it is tricky being able to articulate this into words on paper, which is why there are so many different options like recording a video series on your phone or using a prompt journal from your local bookstore.

The great thing about recording your life story is that it is YOURS. You can be the creative director in what you choose to share, and what stories you choose to tell. You can make it as long or as short as you like. You could choose to go chronologically, or even create chapters to showcase the key points in your life story.

Memoir writing services in New Zealand

Most New Zealand hospices offer a service where you will be introduced to a local volunteer who can help you to capture your life story. In our Go With Grace directory, there are also a number of online organisations who can help you with this. Take a look at our directory to find a memoir writing service near you.

What to include in your life story

• What life was like for you growing up
• Favourite childhood memories
• Family tree information
• Your significant relationships
• The achievements you are most proud of
• The different stages in your career
• Favourite activities, hobbies and interests
• Funny stories or memories your family may not have heard
• Special friends and family
• Life lessons you’d like to share with others.

Often, once you start writing, it will jog other memories and it may bring up lots of different emotions, including happiness and sadness. This is an important way to process the grief of your situation and can help you to really write from the heart.

Capture - and share - your story in a way that suits you

There are many ways to record your story, either by writing it down yourself, recording your stories with a voice recorder so someone can transcribe it or making videos. With phones and other technology these days, it is very easy to record your voice and also video. These can be short, and recorded over lots of days – you might decide to record one memory a day.

The most important thing is to share these stories with others. Whether your story is recorded on paper, online or on video, make sure to tell your family or friends where it is and how they can access it. You could consider leaving a spare copy with key loved ones, to ensure it’s not lost or forgotten.

Recording your life story is a great way to help your family process their grief after you are gone. It also gives you a chance to share important memories with your loved ones.

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The Story Scribe

Memoir and Family History Writing Service

Want to record your life story in a book?

We'll write it for you..

As seen or heard on:

What is a life story?

It's your personal memoir, written by a professional personal historian. The book is narrated in your voice and illustrated with photos and family memorabilia.

Who is it for?

Anyone who wants to preserve their story, or the story of a loved one, for family, friends, and future generations.

Creating a custom-made life story on your own can be stressful.

With our help, it's easy., you talk. we listen..

We come to you and record your stories over a series of casual interviews.

We do the writing.

You'll see the work-in-progress as we go along and can make any changes or edits you like. But you don't have to do any of the writing yourself; that's what we're here for.

Pick out your favorite photos.

Whether you have thousands of photos or just a few, we'll help you pick out the best to include in your book.

Choose your book cover and design.

When we have the book exactly how you want it, we go into production. We'll show you options for layout, printing, and binding, and you decide how many books you'd like — from one to hundreds.

Benefits to...

Storyteller.

• Experience the joy of telling your stories to a trusted interviewer
• Watch as the manuscript takes shape
• Know you're giving the greatest gift of all: your story, told by you.

Family and friends

• Savor the stories of a loved one's past, told in his or her words
• Gain a deeper understanding of your family history

Descendants

• Future generations will have a greater awareness of their history and the forebears who shaped them.
• Knowing family history has been shown to increase the resiliency of families and individuals.

"Wherever one looks twice there is mystery."

— elizabeth bowen, why do a life story, memories fade..

The fact is, we gradually lose the stories our parents and grandparents told us about their lives. Your grandfather probably thought he lived a typical life, but wouldn't you love to hear him tell once again about growing up in the shtetl in Poland or the farm in Kansas? To have not just a scattering of anecdotes, but a real understanding of what his life was like? In the years to come, that is exactly how your own children, grand-children and great-grandchildren will feel about the stories of your life. Curiosity about you, curiosity about their heritage.

A chance to take stock.

When we're in the thick of things, it's hard to sit back and evaluate life. But one of the gifts of aging is the ability to view our distant younger self with understanding and sympathy. To cull wisdom from the warp and woof of life. By allowing The Story Scribe to help you record your life story, you not only give your family the gift of your experiences, you grant yourself the opportunity to make meaning of those recollections. Life can be messy, chaotic, and veer in a thousand different directions. Through our series of interviews, you'll have the opportunity to take stock of the events of your life.

Our past informs their future.

You don't have to be a world leader or a celebrity to have experiences worth sharing. Every one of us has stories, and these stories are like road signs to future generations. "Here's what I did right," your memories tell the world, "and here's what I could have done better." But unless you're a celebrity, with journalists and critics publicly recording your life for you, those road signs gradually disappear. A personal history keeps that from happening.

"I can't thank you enough. I have received so many compliments on the book and on how you captured my personality and feelings. I'm so happy we finished. It's something my grandchildren will always cherish. Thank you for the hard work you put into it, and for making it as beautiful as you did!"     Helen Kitchin, St. Louis, Missouri

"It has been a great pleasure working with you these past two years, telling you my story as you wrote the book. The process was extremely easy, and I am extremely pleased and proud of the work we produced."     Col. (Ret.) Bill Kornitzer, Kansas City, Missouri

“We are grateful to Amy for helping us create a ‘book of memories’ for our family. It will be a treasure for years to come. Our family was impressed with the quality of Amy’s work. Everyone has a story to tell and she makes it interesting.”    Harry and Fran Morningstar, Kansas City, Missouri.

"Amy, t hank you SO much!  It has been such a pleasure working with you, and I TRULY appreciate all that you have done to help me make this special gift for my husband!!"   Marci Bluestone, St. Louis; commissioned her in-laws' story as a gift to her husband.

Prefer to write your life story yourself? We offer a full range of writing services, including one-on-one coaching, editing, and workshops. Call 816-377-8694 to learn more.

Click below to see our memoir circle workshops.

“I don’t know how much you know about your great-grandfather, but I know very, very little about my great-grandfather, and I’ve been doing genealogy for twenty years. When you stop to think about it, that my great-grandsons will be able to listen to this, my own son will be able to listen to this, my daughters will be able to listen to this, well, it’s remarkable. What a wonderful gift I’m able to leave them.”   

Bernie Donnelly, St. Charles, Missouri

The Story Scribe, LLC      |      816-377-8694     |       [email protected]

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Mon - Fri: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

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Hi, I am Sandra

Content Writer & Founder

Yes, I Know My Stuff! Are you struggling to string words together? As a content writer I use words to create written pieces for you. I love to be authentic, so an audience has a reason to keep reading for useful information, or to explore and discover more about topics, and be entertained. What I do means you attract audiences, sell products or services, or educate your communities.

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Information signage for protection of blue duck/whio in the Waioeka Conservation Area.

Website Taiao Huru Huri

Developed website content for Charles Barrie new business Taiao Huru Huri.

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Prepared report for DOC and Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve Committee to help the management of the reserve

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This project involved creating a guide to help you improve your well-being by connecting with nature

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Keeping your audience informed by sharing key messages, planning your communications in a timely manner.

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About LifeStories

Our passion.

Maybe you have always wanted to write a book about your life, or any other story, and with good reason: no better medium exists for preserving a legacy. Unless captured in print, there is a great risk that much of your incredible story will be lost forever. And your story is incredible, marked by your unique triumphs, challenges, and choices. But maybe this goal of authorship felt out of reach… too difficult, time-intensive, or costly. That’s where we can help. We remove the barriers and equip you to complete your book and then share it with others. More than just facts and dates, we help you describe the events, decisions, and people that have defined your unforgettable life’s journey. Our passion is to preserve your life story, and through every step of the process, this passion leads to superior results. And it’s strengthened by deep experience. For over 30 years, our accomplished team has helped people of all different backgrounds to write their exceptional life stories that are prized by family and friends. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: There is properly no history, only biography. We would be honored to help at LifeStories.com

Our Founder

For over 30 years, Chad Harbour has helped countless people to write their life stories. His deep experience in documenting and preserving a person’s legacy in book form allows anyone to share these priceless treasures with future generations. The LifeStories team, developed over the past three decades, offers unrivaled expertise and support for your life-writing project. Chad is passionate about building intergenerational bridges—passing on our knowledge, character qualities, values, and life-lessons for the betterment of our nation, communities, and families.

Want to learn more?

Get two FREE Life Story Templates and get started telling your tales today!

Free life story templates to download and use.

Basic Family Tree

This is a simple template to help you with collating  information about your family and descendants.

Timeline Template

This is a template to help you gather your life events in an ordered fashion in preparation for you writing your tales.

Each column in the template depicts a decade of your life. Record under each column important events and achievements that occurred. This will give you a comprehensive overview of events in your life.

Get your two FREE Telling Tales resources and get started telling your tales today!

Just enter your name and email below and you’ll receive your free resources straight to your inbox.

Your free resources will be emailed to you just enter your info below.

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IMPORTANT: As an added bonus for downloading these resources, you will also get access to Telling Tales newsletters and updates which contains helpful tips, bonus content and special offers to help you share, reminisce and get the most out of telling your own life story.

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email safe.

For more information on how to get started with telling your life story contact me or check out one of my presentations .

Eulogy Writing

Prepare your eulogy ahead of time.

Have you ever wondered what people would say about you at your own funeral?

Write your own Eulogy ahead of time and keep it safe with your other funeral arrangements, taking the pressure off grieving loved ones. Use this unique opportunity to record your thoughts and feelings about yourself and your life, in your own words. 

Once it's done, relax...you've got your last words covered!

Eulogy Writing Service Process

It is our privilege to help you prepare your Eulogy before your time of need.

We have two types of service to offer those wishing to write a Eulogy for themselves or a loved one who has passed. One being a questionnaire only, the other to involve interviews and drafting based on our hourly rate.

Our talented writing team will transform the information you provide us in our specially crafted Life Review Questionnaire into a Eulogy, written with care and compassion. Your Eulogy will be around 10-15 minutes in length, highlighting the life you've lived.

Our writing fee is $690.00 inclusive of GST. 

Option 1 - Questionnaire

Follow these easy steps to get your Eulogy underway.

• Make payment by clicking the button below
• Complete our Life Review Questionnaire - which will be emailed out to you on receipt of payment
• Wait for your Eulogy to arrive in your inbox (usually within 7 working days)

Option 2 - Interview

If you'd like us to interview you and write your Eulogy, we can help you too. We offer this personalised service at an hourly rate.

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Phone: 07 544 5365 Email: info@yourlifestory.co.nz

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