Your story is all about you. So is our process.
Janet’s experience
“I asked Suzee to write both my life story and eulogy. This was important for me as I have no living relatives who would have been able to do this.
Telling my story to Suzee was interesting and enjoyable. At times, she would prompt me to expand on some aspects which brought out further memories. Suzee was empathetic and easy to talk to about my life, including the challenges. We had a couple of face to face meetings then completed the process on the phone. Suzee made amendments based on my comments and requests. I always felt in charge of what was written.
I wholeheartedly recommend using Chapters to capture your memories. It was a pleasant experience and a useful exercise. I can now relax knowing my story is accurately recorded for the future.”
Our Life Story writing process
We start with a free phone consultation to confirm what you want to accomplish with us. At this point, we will make sure you know what your specific process will be, your preferred final presentation method, the cost and that you are comfortable going ahead.
To make it easy, we visit you at your home for two relaxed and fun interviews. You reminisce, we listen then write up your family story. Next, is the part where you will spend some time checking the drafts for accuracy. After we make those changes, we agree on the final version of your story together.
Your story will typically showcase your memories through the chapters of your life eg schooling, family, work, travel, relationships, health, etc. This is why our business is called Chapters.
Timing: Being flexible is important to us. We know life throws us curve balls and things often take longer than we expect. The process typically takes between 1-3 months, depending on your preferred final presentation option.
Our Life Story Package includes: Our initial consultation, our travel to your location twice (Wellington region), interviews, write up, editing and production of an electronic copy of your story (typically 10-20 A4 pages) and up to five black and white spiral bound copies.
For anyone outside the Wellington (New Zealand) region, we will use technology (where viable) to support your process.
To manage risk for everyone, we have two payments across the process. A 50% non-refundable deposit is paid before the first interview, with the remaining 50% on completion of the final version.
Other Services
We can turn your life story into a Coffee Table Book to showcase your important photographs alongside your life story.
Or we can transform your life story into your Eulogy with a Photo Slideshow giving you control over the final telling of your story.
We also create Memory Books to support families affected by dementia and Memorial Books for families wanting to record their memories after a loved one has died. The process for these is similar but with a different focus.
Check out Our Products page for more details.
We are caring, creative, communicators who make storytelling easy and fun.
Caring - We have lived experience of aging parents who have now died. We know what we wished we had asked. We will place you at the centre of your project, caring for you and your family as we create your story together.
Creative - As artists, with extensive experience in producing written documents, we know how to create visually attractive, informative and easy to read documentation. You will be happy to have your story on your coffee table.
Communicators - We understand the value of empathetic interviewing, the power of the written word and the importance of capturing personal histories. We will encourage and gently challenge you.
Keep your memories safe for the future. We write your story in a positive useful way for you, your friends and family to enjoy.
Why choose Chapters to get your story written?
A note to friends and family members
We want to acknowledge the desire to capture the stories of our older friends and family members. Equally, we know just how difficult it is to have the energy and time to record your family history. We continue to be surprised by how long it takes to collect someone’s personal history.
If you have a family member or friend who has a story you would like recorded, please get in touch. We will work with you and your loved one to collect the stories you value and that reflect the person you know and love. We have a range of useful ways to present their information to best fit your purpose.