Find the Shape of Your Story
Memoir & Family History Support (From first idea to finished book)
You may have been carrying your story for years.
You may even have boxes of photos, notes, diaries, documents — or simply a head full of memories — and yet still feel unsure where to begin.
Most people who come to me say some version of this:
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I have so much material — I don’t know what to include
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I don’t know what my story is actually about
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I’m worried it will be boring, messy, or too hard to organise
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I’ve started… and now I’m stuck
If that’s you, you’re not alone.
This isn’t a writing problem.
It’s a clarity and structure problem.
And once the structure becomes clear, everything gets easier.
The Story Beneath the Memories
After years of teaching memoir and family history — and helping people turn personal and family stories into books — I’ve learned something essential:
Most memoirs don’t stall because people “can’t write.”
They stall because the writer doesn’t yet know what their story is really about.
A life contains many stories.
A memoir (or family history) needs one strong thread.
My particular strength is listening carefully and helping you uncover that thread — whether it turns out to be:
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a migration story
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a survival story
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a story of reinvention
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a love story
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a family legacy story
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a story of resilience, injustice, or courage
Once we find what your story is truly about, we can shape it into a clear narrative path — and the writing becomes far less overwhelming.
Choose Your Best Starting Point
You don’t have to do everything at once.
Pick the level of support that suits you right now.
1) Start with the Book
How to Write, Structure and Self-Publish Your Memoir and Family History
This practical, reassuring guide is designed for people who feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin.
It helps you:
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clarify what your story is truly about
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organise memories and material into a meaningful structure
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create a workable chapter plan
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understand publishing options in plain, non-technical language
Many people tell me that the book alone helps everything finally “click.”
2) Join a Workshop or Talk
Discover the Shape of Your Story (without overwhelm)
I regularly run talks and small workshops through:
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libraries
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adult education centres
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retirement villages
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community groups
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and online sessions
These sessions are personal, practical, and designed to help you:
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identify the theme that holds your story together
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understand which memories matter most
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learn how to shape your material into a narrative path
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leave with greater clarity and confidence
You do not need writing experience — only a willingness to reflect.
→ View upcoming workshops
→ Register your interest
3) Book a Story Distillation Session (One-on-One)
Personalised clarity before you write — or to get unstuck
If you’d like personal guidance, I offer a private Story Distillation Session.
This is a calm, professional session where you talk — and I listen.
Together we:
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uncover what your story is really about
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clarify what belongs in the story (and what can be left out)
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shape your narrative into a clear direction
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create a set of draft chapter headings to guide your writing
This is ideal if:
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you’re unsure where to start
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you have a complex life or multi-generational story
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you’ve begun writing but feel stuck
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you want reassurance that you’re on the right track before investing months of effort
Duration: 60–90 minutes (online or in person by arrangement)
Investment: $365 AUD
→ Book a Story Distillation Session
→ Enquire about availability
And If You Decide to Publish…
Not everyone wants to publish — and that’s perfectly fine.
For many people, writing is about family, reflection, and legacy.
However, if you do decide you’d like to create a book, I can also help with the practical steps, including:
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formatting your manuscript
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preparing files for print and/or ebook
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understanding self-publishing options clearly and calmly
This is never the first step.
First, we find the shape of your story.
Then, if you wish, we turn it into a book.
A Gentle Invitation
If you’ve been holding your story for years and don’t know where to begin, you don’t need to solve it alone.
Start with the book, a workshop, or a one-on-one session — and we’ll find the thread that turns your memories into a meaningful, readable story.
→ Book a Story Distillation Session
→ View workshops / Register interest
About Beverley
Beverley is a former journalist and editor, an author, teacher, and memoir specialist with a long-standing passion for helping people make sense of their life stories.
Drawing on years of teaching and hands-on experience, she helps writers uncover the shape beneath their memories and turn confusion into clarity — whether the goal is personal reflection, family legacy, or publication.