A Pure Clear Moment It wasn’t until I had climbed up Many seemingly impossible hills Fallen down into the darkness Of unknown ravines, And gotten lost A thousand million times That I began to notice How simple things Without warning or invitation Could draw me in As though to another world Early morning raindrops Pure […]
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!
Beautiful Spring
Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Like a garden, worth every ounce of effort. Cherry blossoms spring © Janice Henshaw
I Wander’d Lonely as a Cloud
I Wander’d Lonely as a Cloud “I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the […]
Post holiday blues!
It’s just not as much fun post holidays. The bills come in, normal life seems kind of dull. The next holiday seems far away. And wow, there are so many chores to catch up on. Other than work and sulk, What can one do? Ah ha! Plan the next holiday and Start counting down the […]
A Life Story is a Gift…
A Life Story is a Gift… 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? The challenge is in getting started. It is sometimes difficult to write […]
The magic of enthusiasm
“There is real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.” – Anonymous Oh to be surrounded by people with enthusiasm! The world becomes a brighter, happier place, infused with light and hope. Photograph © Janice Henshaw
Grey beauty of our Pacific Coast

The dark grey beauty of our winter coast – makes us who we are… Photo © Janice Henshaw 2016
Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Aug. 12, 2012
August 12th, Sunday, Ste. Anne, Manitoba, Lilac Resort $32.00 (Around 270km from Brandon) Mornings are the best! It means that one has survived the night with no exciting wake up calls. It means fresh ground coffee, and a whole new day of adventure waiting just outside my door. What will happen today, tonight, tomorrow? Next […]
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 […]
Closed for the Day
Some days – even when the door is closed – we can still enjoy what’s right in front of us.
A reminder… to fall in love with your own life
Everyone’s story is a gift…and so is today. “An old man and a little kidling are gonna show you how to fall in love with your own life,” Here’s the video:
Off to the Ferry at Swartz Bay
My journey east has begun! I carefully hooked up my trailer at Oceanside RV Park and after a walk to the beach, headed out early to my hometown of Sidney to pick up a coffee before catching the ferry. I was also returning a cooking grate to the hardware store and hoping that I wouldn’t […]
Joy can find space to enter
Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath […]
“To love is to be vulnerable”
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up […]
Moon rising over fog bank – South Pender Island
“As we open to what is actually happening in any given moment … we can find ourselves rewoven into the pattern of wholeness, into the immensity of life.” – Sharon Salzberg, from Faith
Our attitudes – are everything
“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” John C. Maxwell It gives us so much choice, doesn’t it? So much freedom. We can choose the darker, heavier attitudes that will be sure to drag us down and hurt […]
Thanksgiving 2013
Hello hugs, catching up, laughter, Long peaceful hikes through Forests of fir and cedar boughs And the rich hues of maples. Followed by fresh baked cookies, Nanaimo bars, pots of tea. Playing games, sharing stories of adventures, Hopes, worries, and dreams, And dear sweet memories of those Who are no longer with us. […]
Qualities needed for living the good life
Like fishing, growing your own vegetables probably costs a lot more than dropping in at your local market. However, planting seeds in richly turned black soil, watching the small green shoots grow with sunshine and water, is really fun (well, interesting) and I like to encourage them with a lot of love, hope and sweat […]
Meandering Moments
Last Sunday I was ready for a walk even though it was really cold (for us west coasters that is) and I decided to drive down to Whalebone Road and start from there. It is so much fun to walk somewhere new, enjoying each step, with no particular destination or time limit – without knowing […]

















