Kate McCarthy - Life Story Writer
Phone: 07 544 5365
Mobile: 021 024 54857
Click here to email Kate
I was so passionate about writing from an early age that at fifteen years old I won a regional short story competition - with a murder mystery.
Having been drawn into a career in journalism I have since enjoyed working in public relations, communications and media management and spent seven years in London with such companies as Barclays, Lloyds, British Aerospace, the Cabinet Office and the Serious Fraud Office.
My work even took me to India, Malaysia and the Philippines. I feel that it is important to capture the experiences and challenges faced by our older generation in order to provide context and meaning for future generations. Within this process our elders come to understand that the contributions they made during their lives have true worth.
A taster of some of my completed projects
"A champion job all round"
I’m very pleased I did it (Like That! My Life Story by Jock Elvin – Ed). The family have found some of the content to be quite fascinating. I’m also pleased with Kate from Forget Me Not Life Stories' service. A champion job all round.
Life That! My Life Story - Jock Elvin
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Professional and pleasant service
Sharing my life story with my family has meant more than I anticipated – what great memories! I’m very pleased with the finished book and its features. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience working with Kate who provided a very professional and pleasant service.
Swift Sure, A Whale of a Tale -
Margaret McNaughton
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
A lovely publication
I always had the inclination to have my life story put onto paper, but having never been a great scribe I never got motivated to do it. Kate was very helpful with interviews, of which there were a few, and it all came together. It’s a lovely publication, and Kate has done a great job for me.
I owe it to my family to give them copies so my grandchildren and great-grandchildren who don’t know a lot about my life will have something to refer to.
A Whiteman Forever - John Whiteman
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
"For my whole family, now and forever"
The service provided by Forget Me Not Life Stories was excellent. Kate was encouraging but not imposing, and I am proud of the finished printed book. The biggest benefit has been able to express my thoughts and feelings without discrimination.
The finished book is excellent, the appropriate photos are all displayed in the right place, and my uncle’s poem included with professional display. The benefit of this book will be for my whole family, now and forever. Thank you for your expertise and professionalism.
My Story - Margaret Houghton
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
The Sweet and Sour of a Life
Kate and I worked collaboratively to achieve the final result which I am very happy with. We moulded the book into a good, easy read. It is well designed and the photos have added well to the text. Kate was very patient with me!
Rhubarb, The Sweet and Sour of Life - David Hoyes
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Exceeded my expectations
I had for some time wanted to share my story with my children, and now I have adult grandchildren and great-grandchildren growing up.
Kate quickly gained my confidence and as a result it became easier and easier to talk about my life with her. The production of my book went more smoothly than I had expected, and the end result was very professional and exceeded my expectations. Overall the presentation was excellent.
My Life Story - Tom Russell
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
First class service
The service I received was first class. Kate was easy to talk to and on the same wavelength during our discussions. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren will now know what we did during our working life and before.
Back Blocks, Business, Beach Houses & Blessings - Ted Parker
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Thrilled
"I was proud to be signing a book of such high quality. I was thrilled with the professional assistance I received in putting together my story. Kate accepted and developed my idea of keeping it light, easy to read and tying together photos and dialogue. Thank you Kate."
Too Bloody Busy to Grow Old! - Brian Cotter
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
My journey through life
Kate was very easy to get along with and I enjoyed her visits. She was easy to talk to and good at suggesting things that helped prod my memory.
The sharing of my life story has meant I now have a record of it, particularly as my grandfather and great-grandfather left a record of theirs.
My finished book is very nicely presented and I will be happy to pass it on to future generations.
My Journey Through Life - Muriel O'Driscoll
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Blown away by the book
Sharing my life story with my family has been very special and now they have a history of my life. Some of my children have not seen the completed book yet as they live overseas, but those that have their copy are blown away with the book and how it is set out. The features are amazing, with added pictures relating to parts of the story throughout. Always in constant contact and up to date with each stage, Kate also suggested some information that I hadn’t thought of and was always happy to add in items that I had forgotten, right up to the end before going to print. Kate was very friendly and helpful, throughout the process.
My Life As I Lived It - Jenny Arrowsmith with her Life Story
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Always on time and accurate
Kate was extremely professional to work with, always on time and accurate in her reporting throughout this project. While the family haven’t received their copies yet, we are very proud of the finished book and The team at Forget Me Not Life Stories couldn’t have done better.
Our Journey - The Cresswell - McLean Story
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
A champion job all round
I’m very pleased I did it (Like That! My Life Story by Jock Elvin – Ed). The family have found some of the content to be quite fascinating. I’m also pleased with Kate from Forget Me Not Life Stories' service. A champion job all round.
Like That! - Jock Elvin
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Working with Kate was delightful
Overall I’m very happy with all aspects of the effort and time that went into this production. Working with Kate was delightful – she was always understanding. My family say that they are enjoying finding out about the early lives of their parents and grandparents. It has been a joy to see the book presented.
Pages Turned Over 90 Years - Isabel Weenink
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Kate is now a personal friend
"This whole experience has turned Kate into a personal friend. In compiling the information for the book, her attention to detail, her logic in layout and her choice of photographs have all been exemplary. Kate has my highest recommendation. I am delighted with the result."
Quiet Achievements - Morris McFall
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Kate's support
meant everything
“Kate gave me ideas and advice which in turn gave me this book, Cop's Lot, a story about my Dad. Kate's support and understanding meant everything.”
Cop's Lot - Sue Reese
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Grateful for help given to me
“I am most grateful for the help given to me during the preparation of my book by Kate. The cross checking and editing was really superb and the completion of the design by Melanie and production of maps and references were exceptional. All work was appreciated."
This Is My Life - Alex Emeny
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
I'd recommend Kate unreservedly for her patience and warmth of personality
"I recommend Forget Me Not Life Stories unreservedly to anyone who wishes to do an autobiography, particularly Kate McCarthy for her patience, understanding, guidance and warmth of personality when we worked together on my book, Journey into the Unknown."
Journey Into The Unknown - Sid Pavett
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
"My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed A Journey into the Unknown. It is beautifully written and presented and the selection of illustrations and quotations are delightful additions to the prose."
- John & Jane Richards,
Buckinghamshire, U K
"I found this book, A Journey into the Unknown to be an amazing, compelling read with a good mixture of emotion and humour. The presentation was well thought out and inviting with a good balance of pictures and photographs to word content."
- Patti Burt, Tauranga
"Your book, A Journey into The Unknown, has proved a winner with me. It took me back over fifty years to our tour of much of Europe in just three months - a far cry from the successful but less dangerous lives which me, you and John Richards have enjoyed since. We must have been crazy to drive in our little out-of-date van through countries packed with violence and shocking roads fit for only goats and camels. Well, we survived despite some hairy moments. Your story revived some great memories which I had almost forgotten and while I have never met your writer, she certainly captured the feeling of that European trip.
"I know you had a very tough childhood and have done so very well since you arrived in New Zealand but when I read about your early life in your story, it is a miracle you survived without ending up in prison or suffering some equally upsetting fate. I liked the way the writer tells your story without self-pity or exaggeration on your part and leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions."
- Warren Kyd, Auckland
Thank you Kate
"This book is just what I wanted to leave my family and friends. They have all commented on how well it has been put together. Thank you Kate for everything you have done."
Garden Flowers and Poetry - Fay Leach
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Kate helps you relax
"I can recommend Kate as a person who can come into your home, make you relax enough to tell your story and be of much help."
A Notebook of Cooke Family LIfe
- Rosa Cooke
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Excellent service
"I experienced excellent service from the start of the project to the successful conclusion of my husband's book 'A Question of Beliefs'."
A Question of Beliefs - Barbara Waters
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Rare Glimpse
Memories of Gallipoli was compiled from autograph books which belonged to Sister Florence Duckett, a nursing sister on the hospital ship HMHS Galeka in WW1. Memories of Gallipoli is a unique personal collection of autographs, notes, cartoons and poems penned by soldiers from the Gallipoli campaign. Endorsed by the RSA of NZ and with a Foreword by Sir Jerry Mateparae, the book provides a rare glimpse into a war fought long ago.
Thrilled with the
professional assistance
"I was proud to be signing a book of such high quality. I was thrilled with the professional assistance I received in putting together my story. Kate accepted and developed my idea of keeping it light, easy to read and tying together photos and dialogue. Thank you Kate."
Too Bloody Busy To Grow Old - Brian Cotter
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
We will always be grateful
“Kate put together Dad’s story 'A Local Lad by Jim Simmonds' in a manner that truly portrays my father. We will always be grateful to Kate for her work to preserve Jim’s story. You do a great service for families Kate.”
A Local Lad - Elaine Gooding
Life Story writer: Kate McCarthy
Video brings community
history to life
Today, storytelling can be delivered in many forms, including video. The subject of a story can range from a person in a family, to the journey of a corporation or the growth of a town. Recently I worked with a passionate team at Western Bay Community Archives, part of the Western Bay of Plenty District Council on a project to capture stories from the past about the Katikati community. During 2017, two short films were presented featuring the memories of Katikati as recalled by two of the town’s most active and well known long term residents, Sally Henry and Pat Pamment.
Sally’s humorous and informative recollections of various events include; the Queen Carnival, which raised funds to build Katikati’s Memorial Hall, the Farmers’ fire, and the Katikati picture theatre. Sally’s recollections present an eye-opening account of Katikati in the late 1940s and 1950s.
Pat’s insightful recollections of Katikati life in the late 1930s and 1940s include her Catholic family’s arrival into the heavily Protestant township, fundraising to build a Catholic Church and the impact of World War Two on her family. Pat’s recollections capture some of the significant changes faced by the Katikati community over the years.
Please enjoy the films - Memories of Katikati - Sally Henry and Pat Pamment.
