“Satisfaction of one’s curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.” ~ Linus Pauling Why? Why I ask? I sometimes wonder Why I can’t just accept things as they are… Because I so love the answers. Janice Henshaw Photo © Janice Henshaw Pender Island “Young buck”
Shaw TV Interview – How I became the Life Story Writer
There is no greater gift than sharing the experiences and wisdom of a lifetime with family and friends. How do family members know who they are if they don’t know where they came from – their roots? But the challenge is in getting started.
In his book On Writing Well author William Zinsser said:
One of the saddest sentences I know is “I wish I would have asked my mother about that. Or my father. Or my grandmother, or grandfather”…
It is sometimes difficult to write about yourself in a detached manner that provides an interesting read for others. Many people put off this activity and never find the time. With some encouragement and a good guide, however, it can be a pleasant, rewarding journey to tell your own unique story.
I live on Southern Vancouver Island and can travel to record your memories of past events and the people who have made your life special. In the comfort of your home this process will be relaxing and enjoyable. It will no doubt be fun too. We will add photos and special documents if applicable, and then we will have your story professionally printed. What a gift – for you, your family, the next generations, and friends – can you imagine holding the book in your hands, seeing it on your coffee table, in your bookcase, reading stories to your grandchildren? It will be much cherished.
How often have you wished that your forebears had left written stories of their lives? A family tree may appeal to some, and facts may appeal to others, but stories are how we get to know people and the times in which they lived.
You may not think you have led an exceptional life, but I am sure that through this process, you will end up thinking otherwise. You will have fun, perhaps shed some tears, and remember details you may have forgotten, but overall, you will be thankful that you made this journey into your past. It will be the creation of a special legacy for your sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, or friends; they will be so grateful that your stories are preserved. Don’t wait – give me a call and let’s get started.
Family and Friends
If you are a family member or friend, here’s the most special gift you will ever find for your loved one. Give the gift of a life story book to a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend.
Retirement Gift
A book of photos and stories from coworkers makes an amazing and unique retirement gift.
Your Company History
Make it work for you! A short publication packed with personal anecdotes and interesting photographs can be an ideal gift for clients, and a wonderful coffee table book in your office. Highlighting projects and giving clients the opportunity to learn more about the special people who work on them can be a determining factor in developing trust. Posting the business memoir to your website will make your company stand out from all the rest!
Grey beauty of our Pacific Coast

The dark grey beauty of our winter coast – makes us who we are… Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016
Technology – you gotta love it, right?
The other morning I had an action list with about 15 items on it. I was eager to get going. The first item went well, and I happily drew a line through it and for extra good measure, placed a large self-satisfied tick beside it. Then I moved onto Item #2, which involved just a […]
Fog and getting out of bed
Yesterday morning my alarm woke me and my first thought was to pick it up and heave it across the room. But I remembered in that infinitesimal nanosecond of time that my little Iphone is actually pretty handy, and the bureaucratic hassles of getting a new one are most decidedly not worth one moment of […]
Fall is coming, what’s today?
Fall is coming faster than expected. What happened to summer 2016? One morning I woke up and it was gone. And so it is with today. Today is a one time gift which we can choose to cherish or not. We can make choices such as putting yesterday behind us and for today engage in […]
Beautiful Though
Foundation crumbling Walls tilting Roof isn’t to be trusted Boards weakening Floor has holes Beautiful though Perhaps more so Than when it was young. -Janice Henshaw Photocopy © Janice Henshaw 2015
Nests in your hair?

“That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent. ~Chinese proverb Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015
Pebbles on a beach, each one different
In my wanderings, I leave behind what seems to be a beach full of mistakes. Sometimes I even admire their ingenuity, their colours, their unique shapes. For the most part though, I see and feel their darkness, their rough textures, and wonder at the extent of my unknowing. I taste the salty depth of […]
Christmas and moving – just moments in time
Today while packing for a move to new digs, I was listening to K.D Lang sing these hauntingly beautiful words: “Once there was a way to get back home again.” With Christmas just around the corner, it made me think about home and wonder if there ever really is a way to get back home. […]
When you are about to leave a place
You get a strange feeling when you’re about to leave a place. Like you’ll not only miss the people you love but you’ll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you’ll never be this way ever again. Azar Nafisi Photo ©Janice Henshaw 2016 Kinuseo Falls
Early morning light on bamboo
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am in love with this world
I am in love with this world . . . I have climbed its mountains, roamed its forests, sailed its waters, crossed its deserts, felt the sting of its frosts, the oppression of its heats, the drench of its rains, the fury of its winds, and always have beauty and joy waited upon my goings […]
About me – the lifestorywriter
About Me – The Life Story Writer I am a professional writer with a Bachelor’s degree specializing in English and Business Administration. My name is Janice Henshaw and I live on Vancouver Island. Here are a a few other facts about me. A business woman – An Executive Director for ten years so I have […]
A worthwhile goal for 2017
A life lived with kindness is worth living, our hearts feel deeper and more connected because kindness is contagious. Smile, hug, listen, help others, be polite nurture a spirit of generosity, be Kind, instead of right Simple things… We can expect our gifts of kindness to warm the hearts of those close by and reach […]
The Gift of Love
“This is the miracle that happens every time to those who really love: the more they give, the more they possess.” Rainer Maria Rilke
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned…”
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.” ― Joseph Campbell
Beauty of whatever kind
Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears. ~Edgar Allan Poe I’ve found it useful in terms of my mascara to carry a tissue pretty well wherever I go Just in case my heart opens to music I see a smile hear a story or feel in awe […]
Daffodils – a sign of hope
Buried in the cold dark soil, they lay, hopefully upright until one sunny day they stand bright and graceful dipping in the spring breeze as if they were always there. A sun gilded promise of warmth and long summer days that will brush away the clouds beckoning, and encouraging us to hope, to believe […]
Closed for the Day
Some days – even when the door is closed – we can still enjoy what’s right in front of us.
A bridge to Gabriola – his dream and mine
A fellow had a dream he says, about a bridge linking Gabriola to Vancouver Island. Oh my, I thought, I wonder why he would move to an island and then start to dream about a bridge that would stop it from being an island? Thinking about the ramifications of a bridge had quite an effect […]

















