Some of my work to date

This was my first commission as In My Lifetime Biography Services. It was a surprise for the Founder of the company and I did all of the research via his lovely wife. It was interesting and challenging writing about people I hadn't actually met and an industry I knew very little about. I had great fun learning, designing, and writing this beautiful gift.  I'm happy to say that according to my customer, I "captured the essence of DPS and all who worked there perfectly".

I first met Dorothy when her daughter-in-law commissioned me to write her biography. Dorothy was 93 then and when asked why she wanted her story told, she replied "Because I was told to". I loved spending time with this vibrant, funny, interesting, and independent woman. Against all social conventions of the time, Dorothy didn't marry until she was in her 30s. She lived at home happily with her mum and dad in a small community on the Otago Peninsula until she met her one and only love, Brian Ellis. It gave me many warm fuzzies writing this beautiful love story. Thank you, Dorothy and family. 

After meeting and working on Dorothy's bio, her daughter-in-law commissioned me again to write her dad's story. John Verrell's motto in life was 'deeds not words' and so we adapted this for the title of his book. I collected John's story in the last few months of his life and it was an honor to do so. John was an outstanding sportsman among other virtues. He excelled at cricket and every team he played for became champions largely due to his input. John's personal best - 189 in 39 overs - was achieved while playing for Morrinsville's St Joseph's Cricket Club. The man was star; a wonderful dad and inspiring sportsman and coach, and just an all-round good bloke! 

This was a special one. Not only did I get to meet and spend hours with the wonderful woman whose story this is, but I also got to learn several Icelandic traditions and beliefs, as well as the history of immigration from Iceland to Canada. I had fun designing the insides of this  book using Icelandic sayings for chapter titles and laughed while I recorded and then wrote the hilarious stories contained within.  

I have been working with Fay for nearly two years now and she and her cheeky Australian husband, have become dear friends. I relate to much of Fay's story. She grew up in the same suburb of Hamilton I grew up in and we went to the same primary and intermediate schools. Fay loves writing and she has contributed poems, musings, recipes, anecdotes and stories to local magazines and newspapers for years. I have been polishing Fay's story, adding photos, and designing her biography which she keeps telling me is boring! Not to me, Fay, not to me...

The Dutch have played a prominent role in our country's social and cultural history. However, much of their story remains untold. This book gave one family an opportunity to share their story of immigration and industry and it explored how Dutch culture and New Zealand culture have combined. I wrote this book quickly to be in time for Betsy's 90th birthday and what a treat it was to hand it over t her with her son on the big day. Thank you Reymers.