Private Biographies

 

Apart from a few anecdotes, most people know very little about the lives of their forbears. What their parents were like as children, what it was like living through major world events or different eras would be of huge interest to future generations. So would insight into a special career or how a particular business has evolved over the years. But unfortunately, as each generation passes on, so does most of this priceless information.

 

Many people plan to write their memoirs or those of someone close, but never get around to it. They either run out of time, lack the skills required, or believe their life is not worth documenting.

 

But every life is special and should be recorded.

 

The obvious answer to ensure a special life is depicted  accurately and never forgotten is to have a professional biography produced.

 

This can be done throughout New Zealand by The Write Advice in a simple step-by-step process.

 

 

Step One                                                                                                                           

Depending where you live, we either meet or talk on the telephone about the process, your requirements and the costs involved. The project will be tailored to meet your specific needs, while the cost will depend on the amount of detail you wish to include.

Our most prominent package amounts to a 10,000 word manuscript. This includes five interviews of one hour's duration and costs $3500. Modest travel and accommodation expenses will be included for jobs outside Christchurch. We are also able to turn your story into an attractive looking publication with accompanying photographs. Prices on this will depend on your choice of book and the number of copies required.

 

If you wish to proceed after we have discussed these issues, we will send you a basic contract to sign. This will cover the areas discussed. We will also send a list of things we recommend you do to jog your memory before we get started.

Step Two                                                                                                                            

The next step is beginning the interview process. This will involve face to face sessions with Peter at a place of your convenience. The interviews last about one hour each because we believe going on for much longer in one sitting can be tiring. It's far better to recommence when we are fresh again and ready to continue. We will tape record the interviews to make sure we get all the information totally accurate.

 

For those living outside Christchurch, we will conduct the interviews close together. This will involve either one or two interviews a day until we have all the necessary information. They may be slightly more spread out for those living in Christchurch.

 

If you want us to turn your story into an illustrated booklet format, we will discuss this in more detail at the final interview and leave with the photographs you would like included. These will be returned to you with the finished product.

Step Three                                                                                                                       

Once we have completed the interviews, written the story of your life and separated it into chapters, we will send it to you to read.

 

This is when you can make any changes to the text. After we have made these changes and you are happy with the subsequent manuscript, we will either send you an agreed number of printed copies or we will proceed to turn the manuscript into an attractive booklet that is illustrated by the photographs of your life.

Step Four                                                                                                                           

The final and most satisfying step is sharing your book with close family and friends. Congratulations. You life is now officially documented and will always be remembered.

  

 

"The Write Advice has written the story of my life with accompanying photographs into a 75 page book. I'm delighted with the result. Peter was so easy to talk to and it's very well written. I now have a record of my life that I can pass down the generations to ensure my life is never forgotten. Maurice Neate

 

To see an extract from this book,  click here (265.34 KB).

 

"The Write Advice has recorded the memoirs of my father during World War Two. The family has learnt so much from that exercise, and now, thanks to them, his life will live on forever." Lee Robinson, son of World War Two veteran, Matthew Robinson