KEVIN’S CORNER
KEVIN’S TIPS FOR WRITING A BLOCKBUSTER FAMILY HISTORY
How wonderful so many of you like the idea of “ordinary” people talking about their often extraordinary lives (Kev’s Corner, NZWW, April 12). I agree with you all – everyone has a great story to tell, but we seldom hear them.
I think my days of making TV shows are over, so I don’t think my interviewing “ordinary people” idea will happen, but that shouldn’t stop you from writing about your own experiences. If you’ve got tales to tell that are more interesting than the celebs, go for it. They’ll become a precious part of your family archives. I encourage you all, especially if you’ve lived a fair bit of life, to write you own story, or get a family member to write your story with you. There are even professionals available to help out.
If you’re doing the writing, work out what you’re going to write about and in what order. One way to do this is to divide your story into little chapters before you start. Then under each chapter, write a few sub-headings. That gives you a map to follow as you write your story. Then fire ahead keeping the story brief but interesting. Brevity is hard when there’s so much to talk about, but it’s so important. And don’t forget photos.
Yours doesn’t have to be a “life story”. It can be a key event in your life – your wedding day, the day you first gave birth, even the sad loss of a son or daughter. It can be that journey to London by ship on your OE. It can be a drama – the rescue where you were winched up to a helicopter. It can be your recollection of a famous event... maybe you were on the Wahine before it sank? I knew a couple who floated in Wellington Harbour each gripping onto a strap of the wife’s handbag so they didn’t lose each other. Or it can be your memories of a famous person. I’ve just met an elderly woman who was once the nurse in England for New Zealand’s famous plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe.
Or you can write a funny story, though I warn you, telling funny stories is the most difficult of all.
Anyway, just do it. And do feel free to send them to the Weekly.