Marlene Ditchfield

A trained journalist - I have worked in television, radio, newspapers and now contract writing. History and biographies a specialty. Books published are history of Wairarapa health services: 'Helping Hands' (2015), Mt Bruce Community Hall 1914 - 2014, Wairarapa, New Zealand (2014); family stories 'The Andersens of Parkvale' (2018); 'Fortitude: the story of the Ditchfields' (2021).

An experienced editor - I have edited several books including 'Lavericks Bay: The History and People of Banks Peninsula' by Paul de Latour (2019), and 'Growing up on Ganges Road' and 'Letters Home' by Pauline Steele (2021).

Life stories for clients are enjoyable jobs which fill me with great satisfaction.


Genre:

  • Adult Non-Fiction

Skills:

  • Freelance Writing

Branch:

Central Districts

Location:

Masterton

Publications:


Mt Bruce Community Hall 1914-2014

Helping Hands. A history of Wairarapa Health Services

Lavericks Bay. The History and its People, Banks Peninsular by Paul de Latour

Fortitude: story of the Ditchfields

From the Channel Islands in 1872 to New Zealand and the rugged living as a bullock driver. The discovery of a missing relative who spent 70 years in a mental institution and the tragic death of a young family man at 39 from electrocution.

Letters Home by Pauline Steele

A woman's story of doing her OE to London in the 1950s. Includes growing up in Wellington, celebrating the end of WW2, and the dawn of the Golden Era in New Zealand.

Andersens of Parkvale

Scandinavian settlement in Wairarapa from 1875

Paul Samuel life and times

Raised in Auckland and the East Cape, the story is of a long distance truck driver. The death of his young wife, raising children alone and re-creating family.