My Life as a Life writer
I WRITE THE STORIES THAT ARE PART OF THE FABRIC OF EVERY NEW ZEALAND FAMILY. I WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOLIE WILLS WHO ESTABLISHED THE BUSINESS TIME OF YOUR LIFE SOME YEARS AGO. MY ROLE IS CONCERNED WITH THE WRITING OF FAMILY HISTORIES WHILE JOLIE SPENDS HER TIME LAYING OUT THE COMPLETED STORIES, PHOTOS AND DOCUMENTS AND PUBLISHING THE FINAL VOLUME. BY ALISON HARRINGTON
MY OCCUPATION as a life writer came about through an interest in my own family history - this seems to occur naturally when one reaches a certain age! To find out a little more about the procedures of recording family history, I sat an extramural Massey University paper entitled Life Writing. At around the same time I took a break from work as an English teacher, spent some time travelling with my husband and moved from the rural environment of Reporoa to Taupo. Thanks to the Taupo Museum and Art Gallery I was introduced to Jolie who had already published several volumes of life stories. We met for coffee, talked about local and family histories and suddenly I had a new career.
Jolie and I have been working together ever since.
Our work as life writers often comes about through word of mouth. When a person is introduced to one of our histories the response is often, “My parents have a great story; it needs to be recorded.” The project begins with a visit to family members to formulate a plan. The usual format involves four or more visits to interview and record the story on a small unobtrusive voice recorder. Care is taken to make interviews feel like informal conversations.
Between four and six hours sees the basis of the story recorded although time is always allowed for those memories that surface in the middle of the night and must be included. The recording of the interview is sent to a speed typist who produces a transcript. It takes around three hours to type up one hour of recording so it is a time consuming task.
Once I receive the transcript, work begins on the story. Depending on the interviews it can take around 300 hours to produce the first draft of the story. The written form must be crafted so it remains faithful to the spirit of the storyteller while also being enjoyable for the reader. The draft is proof-read and returned to the client.
At this stage other family members often become involved and the project takes on a life of its own with extra memories and contributions offered. Meanwhile the process of collecting and scanning photographs and documents of all kinds takes place. Some stories have included upward of 300 scans.
When the family is happy with the story and the photos and documents have been recorded, Jolie begins the exciting process of laying out the book. She uses the InDesign publishing programme and can formulate a personalised design to suit the story and family. Often the family is able to choose between two or more designs. Finally after a process that lasts between six and twelve months, the book is sent to the printers and the family receives their life story.
Remarkable Lives
Not all our stories begin at the recording stage. It is surprising how many life stories have been written but have not progressed beyond a draft form. Occasionally memoirs or diaries emerge from attics that have been written by family members who have long since passed away; they are a precious voice from the past. Recently we have worked on four stories from around the Bay of Plenty, and further afield, that have already been written and their writers have asked for help with the next stage. I am able to help with sorting material, editing, proofing and the scanning and placing of photographs and documents. It is always exciting to see a life story that has been long in the making take shape and finally become a narrative that can be shared with family and friends.
Life writing has the added benefit of bringing us into contact with some wonderfully interesting people who have lived the most remarkable lives. I have helped with the life story of a gentleman born in England who lived for several years, with his wife and young family, in Southern Rhodesia. He taught at a boys’ school and his stories of the adventures in Africa make great reading. The family returned to England but missed the excitement of Africa and returned a second time where a position of school principal was taken. When the political situation changed and the country became Zimbabwe, the family decided to make New Zealand their home. The story is now in book form for family and colleagues from three continents to enjoy.
There are many local stories that are just as interesting. We have a book titled As We Remember it: Our Family, Our Faith, Our Farm that is the life story of Bryan and Beryl Wills going to print as this article is being written. Bryan and Beryl arrived in the Reporoa valley in the early 1950’s to begin life on their farm that had been scrub land in the not too distant past. Bryan’s account of his battle to solve the problems related to mineral deficiency that were an inherent part of farming on the Central Plateau, together with the stories of the good times and satisfaction of turning the farm into productive land make fascinating reading. Beryl’s descriptions of helping on the farm and raising five children in a supportive but isolated community are snapshots of life in our farming districts in the 50’s.
Taupo Identity
Time of your Life has written and published the life story of local identity Trevor Hosking in conjunction with the Friends of the Taupo Museum and Art Gallery. From an early age Trevor developed a passion for New Zealand history and artefacts of all kinds - especially those with a Polynesian connection.
His interest led him to becoming seriously involved in archaeology and with the Tuwharetoa people in Taupo.
He was given permission to undertake a series of archaeological digs in caves and shelters around Lake Taupo and record his findings. He later became the archaeologist who discovered and protected threatened sites during the building of the Tongariro Power Development. Trevor also became involved in the preservation of several historical sites and artefacts around the Taupo area. The launching of Trevor’s life story, A Museum Underfoot was a great success. We decided to number the books and Trevor suggested we auction the special Number One at the launch. As all proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Taupo Museum we were delighted when Number One sold for $1000.
As a life writer I feel privileged to be able to share in the history of a family and help with the preservation of stories, memories, photos and precious documents. Jolie and I have noticed an increasing interest in New Zealand family history. Perhaps a point has now been reached where we have time to look back and appreciate the heritage our settler ancestors have given us. Life stories can provide a fresh insight into the lives of family members and foster a new understanding. At work at the computer in our home I spend many hours working and reworking a piece of writing until it feels true to the story teller and interesting and informative for the reader. At the end of a project we are able to present a family with the written and pictorial record of a life - a treasure to be enjoyed by many generations.
Life writing has been a great career change for me.
