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 […]
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!
Look! Up there! It’s the sun coming out!
I was walking to the Village Center on Gabriola Island, and all of a sudden this girl pointed right in front of me and said ”look up – up there!” She was smiling, delighted, and pointing at the sunlight coming out from between the clouds. My 3rd day of looking for the light, and already, […]
Your path – so different from mine
Your path So different from mine Yet together We can offer support In myriad ways. We are like sentinel trees in the forest Each one unique and separate Connected by roots That grow gnarly and strong Able to withstand storms and drought. The light that fosters their growth Can be felt as we walk And […]
Travel memories and photographs
Remember when? This photo appeared suddenly today while I was supposed to be doing something important. It made me think about how photos jog our memories and transport us back to a place and time that we may have forgotten, a moment when we were in awe of nature’s magnificence, admiring an architectural delight, creating […]
It’s the possibility of having a dream come true…
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting……Before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams master the lessons we have learned […]
Grumbling…it’s a practice
“Unquestionably, there are sad things in the world right now… but grumbling doesn’t make anything better. In fact, it makes things worse. The Buddha taught, ‘Every mind moment conditions the next.’ Grumbling gets the mind bogged down in the weariness of its own story. Happiness pulls it back out and gets it going again.” ~Sylvia […]
Relaxing at Fairy Lake
July 7, 2012 morning I closed up my computer and ate some Hawkins cheezies, simply the best junk food going when I am feeling frustrated. Next on the task list was the job of applying an invisible shield to my cell phone to protect the screen. The instructions said to use water, and a squeegee. […]
To love is what’s important
“It is better to love wisely, no doubt: but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.” — William Makepeace Thackeray (English novelist of 19th century – Vanity Fair) Thackeray’s quote is delightful! I smiled when I read it. Another quote by Thackeray “The world is a looking glass […]
“Look inside yourself”
“Do you know what you are? You are a manuscript of a divine letter. You are a mirror reflecting a noble face. This universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you are already that.” ~ Rumi Photograph © Janice Henshaw 2016
Beginning Again – always beginning
“If the angel deigns to come, it will be because you have convinced her, not by tears but by your humble resolve to be always beginning; to be a beginner.” – Rainer Maria Rilke How hard it is to be always beginning, to push away the chill of frozen judgments and instead, to invite in […]
There are two ways of spreading light
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. Edith Wharton
Lighten up your picture
Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up. ~Allen Klein Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016 Spring tulip
You are here to enrich the world
“You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.” Woodrow Wilson Photograph © Janice Henshaw […]
It’s Only A Moment
In a photo, you can see and focus on the dark areas the mid-tones or the light. Learning to live life to the fullest means being able to accept it all That which you cannot do anything about That which you can do something about. Sitting and complaining and bemoaning is good Only for the […]
Sometimes the brain gets in the way of the heart
“Rabbit’s clever,” said Pooh thoughtfully. “Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit’s clever.” “And he has Brain.” “Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit has Brain.” There was a long silence. “I suppose,” said Pooh, “that that’s why he never understands anything.” ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016 (I looked for a rabbit, but only found a frog)
“Eternity in an hour”
“To see a world in a grain of sand And a heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in an hour.” ~ William Blake Waiting for us… if we look outside ourselves and create the space in time Photo © Janice Henshaw 2015 Eagles and seagulls feasting […]
August 1 Kokanee Creek Provincial Park
August 1st 2012 – Kokanee Creek Provincial Park It was hard to leave Christina Lake because I had had so much fun there, but I needed to get my trailer fixed. With some persuasion I had arranged an appointment in Trail. My neighbour who looked like he was cruising 90 helped guide me out of the […]
Will that light come again?
“Will that light come again, As now these tears come…falling hot and real!” ― Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese Believe that it will, see the stump by the trail – all that remains from a silent stately tree that once reached for the sun. A breathing majestic tree that struggled alone through so […]



















