I came to my work as a celebrant in 2017 with experience in writing professionally for Stage and Radio, my plays produced at lead venues for new writing in Glasgow and dramas broadcast on BBC Radio. 

 

After eight years of writing tributes to people's lives in funeral ceremonies across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, I wanted to start writing more expansive life stories for local individuals and their families who want an entertaining, moving and detailed record of a life well-lived that will secure their legacy and enlighten younger and future generations.   

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Through a series of interviews, I get the details and fullest possible sense of the story you want to tell and will either ghost-write the story or write in third person narrative, whichever you prefer.  Either way, the way I write is guided by who I’m writing about.  Favourite photographs often provide the impetus and framework and the best of them will find their way into the finished book, set alongside the words of your story.   Following first draft, revisions and additional material are a vital part of the process to ensure that nothing is left out and everything is told in a style to reflect the tone you'd like the story to take.  

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Once the words are finished, I collaborate with designer Michele Frost who will collate your photos and create a physical legacy book produced in a style to suit your tastes.   Michele's company, A Service To Remember, has a fantastic reputation in the local community for working tirelessly and compassionately with families to meet their preferences in the production of orders of service for funeral ceremonies.

 

I also worked for over twenty years as an actor in theatre, radio and TV.   If you would like an audio version of the story, I can create that in my professional home studio where I continue to work as a voice artist and narrator.  This recording can include interview excerpts as well as the voices of family members giving first-hand accounts of stories, all edited together to create a compelling narrative that captures the life-story from multiple perspectives.  This can then take the shape of a video podcast with photos carefully timed to land in the story, giving a unique audio-visual experience that effortlessly engrosses friends and family in the journey of your life or the life of a loved one.