I have taken my writing down a new path. Not only have I found I really like telling and writing stories, but I like telling and writing other people’s stories too. But not everyone can gather up all the narrative, the details, and the bits and pieces that can come together as a commemorative book. So I am doing this for them. I have become a professional memoir writer.

            My work is very rewarding. I work with people who have always wanted a bound copy of their life story. Today, with all the technical gadgetry available, I am not only able to weave a story out of the facts and snippets they present, but accompany the prose with photos, memorabilia, old documents, certificates, awards, whatever adds to the richness of the memoir.      

            I love that the process is easy for the client. I meet with them for interviews, or Skype with them if distant is an issue. They talk and I take shorthand. They review all I compose. In the case of those looking for a budget friendlier version, they provide me with the notes they have made themselves. Either way, I write a story of any length, filled with description and first hand knowledge, in a chronological manner.

            The second part of the journey is the inserting of the images. For example, a chapter about coming to Canada may be accompanied by copies of the Immigration documents, photos, and perhaps a weathered old letter from a relative. Labels identify everything. In the case of a “coffee table book” about a family business, it may include data on early sales, or ads from earlier publications. Newspaper articles and other written material can be included.

            The final step in the process is my favourite – the creation of the book itself.  This is where I use my artistic styling and attention to detail to make each page’s layout appealing and pleasing. With the client, we decide on the length of the book, the quality of binding, cover, paper and other options, which affect the cost of the final product. Everything becomes digital so multiple copies are easy.

            Whether its when a family member is having a landmark birthday, or a business wants a promotional book that tells the story of its rise, or a family wants to document their tale, it can all be done easily. Think of that box of curled up photos tucked away, or the scrapbook that is fading, having an expertly bound memoir book is a great solution. It’s an easy and rewarding way to create a treasured keepsake that tells your story!

Peggy Hallett - Memoir writer

(reprint from originally posted in the Kingston Whig Standard - Spring 2005)

I am dismayed at the discoveries I have made recently about the lack of common courtesy in the form of an RSVP to an invitation that seems to have become acceptable today. I’m talking about the recurring stories I’m hearing from people who have hosted parties, BBQs, showers, events, even weddings, who go through the time and expense to host various fetes, only to have an astounding number of invitees ignore their invitation.

Let me back up a little. Nearly 20 years ago, a good friend of mine and his wife moved to Kingston from Toronto. After settling in, months went by and they decided to host their first party. True to form, they sent out invitations, prepared their home, food and beverages, and on the evening of the event, about half of the invitees attended and the rest had not responded. Even now, years later, my friend attributes this behaviour to Kingston!! He says this never happens in Toronto. I had never agreed with his theory, but my mind is changing.

A colleague of mine is getting married in a few weeks, and the deadline for her RSVP has long past…and still many have not replied. Recently, a neighbour hosted a shower for about thirty and had a handful respond. I myself hosted a party last month for over 60 women, and heard back from only half! Weren’t we brought up better than this? In bringing this revelation up with friends and coworkers, of various ages, the suggested reason is that people are too busy these days to reply. Hold it! Isn’t it easier than ever to reply today? Don’t we have the luxury of easy instant communication with an email, voice mail, or text message? It’s even easier to avoid a face-to-face when sending your regrets. It was probably more time consuming years ago.  In my mother’s day, a written invitation was usually responded to in writing. And speaking of my mother, my parents live in a retirement community north of Toronto. Are they suffering from the “ignore the RSVP” syndrome too? Not so. It seems that her generation still responds when asked to, whether it’s a polite, “Sorry I can’t make it” or “What can I bring”? Maybe courtesy is something some of us just have to grow into? But in the meantime, many Kingstonians are getting a bad reputation when it comes to RSVPs. Maybe it is everywhere and here in Kingston we just have so many more parties and functions that it’s more obvious!!

 

A few days ago I received an invitation to add my name to a survey intended to make Remembrance Day, November 11, a national holiday in Canada. I often get survey notices, and eagerly want to add my name, and support the cause. But this time, I didn't feel this was a cause to support. 
I believe we should give Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day, Armistice Day, however it's referred to, all the recognition and honour we can. However, I think by making this solemn day a national holiday would actually diminish many of the efforts. 
When I was teaching, I found the annual classroom curriculum based assignments, the school wide activities and the solemn assembly so distinctly different from our celebrations at Christmas time or Graduation time. When I was in the workplace outside of school, in office settings, in public places, the 11 o'clock hour in particular is noted so well. 
In our culture, a "holiday" is just that... a day off, and would likely involve a lazy morning, shopping, special treats and foods, relaxation and entertainment. None of these would represent why the day is designated a holiday. As a child in the Catholic School system, Good Friday used to be a solemn "holiday", but now it has become a day barely recognized for the reason it was deemed a holiday in the first place. 
So I say, keep Remembrance Day something we recognition in our school day, our workday, and employers, try to be lenient about giving employees time to attend services or ceremonies, or school assemblies when they can. 

I don’t know when I have ever wanted to watch a movie again so soon after seeing it the first time around. But recently I found myself doing just that. I was so emotional about the subject matter in Monuments Men that just weeks later when my mother was visiting, I wanted to see it again, with her at home, not the theatre this time. My mother is in her early eighties, and was married to a professional artist so I knew she, like I, would be engrossed by the poignant story about works of art stolen, hidden and recovered.

I think what I found most compelling were the words of the narrator that summarized how what we truly leave behind; the measure of our society, is found in our art. Whether it is paintings, sculpture, architecture, music, drama or literature, when a civilization is no more, its art may indeed be its only proof that they existed at all. Just thinking of the ancient Incas, the Babylonians or the Aztec makes this so true. I was truly moved by the story’s depiction of the recovering of the priceless treasures that were stolen and hoarded away by the Nazi regime, and very choked up about the immense loss of what was destroyed … or never recovered at all. 

It's that time of year when every other commercial is about the new fall lineups for the network's attempts at trying to compete with the zillion channels and TV shows already out there. And so little of it appeals to me. I had to ask myself why... what's changed?

I'm going to watch the World Cup Championship Soccer Game today. To anyone who knows me, this will come as a surprise - maybe even a shock.  
I'm not a sports fan. Never have been one really. But when the Olympics come around, I am glued to the set - summer or winter. There's just something about the pull of countries from around the world coming together for the simple joy of competing ... and playing... together. It probably all stems from our childhoods and just the love of games and fun. But I find I am always cheering for the underdogs. 
I was delighted to hear about the first ever African team to be part of the World Lacrosse Championships in Denver this week. ( I am also getting daily updates because my husband is there as a Canadian referee) to hear the crowd explode with pure joy when the Uganda team scored its first ever goal in international play was heartwarming. It really didn't matter that they lost 17 -1 , or something like that, but just like we learned as kids, it doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's how we play the game. 
Go Uganda!!
...and for today's game...
Go Germany!! 
Go Argentina!!

Writing has never been a mystery to me. Getting people to read what you write, however, is. With the abundance of the written word available to us, and literally at our fingertips with mobile devises, it would seem we read so much more than we ever did before. We are not just limited to school books, newspapers and magazines, occasional novels, and sources to help us with instructions, cooking, directions and so on...some of us read all day long, and mostly on a screen.
So along came the blog. Sharing more of the written word in smaller, concise portions, available in a whole range of topics and reflections. I write everyday. I believe, and as the experts tell me, it is to sharpen my craft. And it's true. 
As an author, I write partly to share my writing. Publishers practically insist that to be a successful author, you must blog. It's part of the process of being "heard" in the publishing world. 
Okay world...I'll yelling now!

Happy Canada Day!!! I’m so happy and blessed to be able to say this whole-heartedly! Rarely a day goes by when I don’t reflect on my surroundings … not just living in the woods on lakefront property, its own little piece of heaven, but being part of a country and culture that respects freedom, individuality and pride. 

            The pride thing is something we Canadians don’t come by easily. But it’s changing. I see this in the flag waving at international venues, such as the Olympics, and I feel it the respect we are given when we visit outside our country. 

But here at home, not every house has a flag waving out front or red maple leaves adorning all we wear or display. Our pride is more internal, in knowing that we are peace-loving people. We are polite and courteous, respectful, smart, diligent and hard-working. We are not the best, or world leaders in everything, and rarely boast that we are … we are just Canadian. We are happy in our own skin - skins of every colour. We are the people in the neighbour that everyone loves, the ones who offer refuge, the ones that share, the ones that extend a helping hand, the ones that everyone is happy to have living amongst them. We are not the loud neighbours that live boastfully; the ones that exist in their own geocentric sphere, or the ones that claim to be the best in everything but struggle to keep their number one image from being tarnished.

We are Canadians. And the world thanks us.
"...You’re welcome."