​Memoir, Biography, Family Stories, The Journal, Nature Writing
 
Course Description
 
Currently we are living through uncertain times where the once familiar patterns of existence have been disrupted by a global pandemic, wild weather events and a planet in a crisis, war and the threat of another Cold War. A life writing course offers a welcome refuge, a quiet and reflective space where you can investigate and express your experiences in written form. Everybody has the ability to write in these genres because these are our personal stories reflecting our particular vision of how we are experiencing the world. The process of making meaning is an engrossing and steadying practice.   On Deborah's courses you are offered the resources and writing guidance to help you develop your unique voice and achieve your writing goals.  This might be the perfect time to draw on your courage and begin exploring the stories of your life, through memoir, through family storytelling, or writing biographical portraits of the significant figures in your life, or through journalling in the present moment, or writing down your observations of the natural world. This course offers an opportunity to experiment across the genres to find the form that suits you best.     
 
This course is designed for people who yearn to write. It is for those who have never written and for those who enjoy writing in other genres but haven’t yet tried life writing. Under Deborah’s guidance, and in a mutually supportive environment, this ten-week course offers the essential structure, method and themes to help the memoirist strengthen the writing voice and begin to realise the memoir project.
  
Author Dr Deborah Shepard is an experienced memoir tutor, writing mentor and biographer. Her books include: The Writing Life: Twelve New Zealand Authors, Her Life’s Work, Between the Lives: Partners in Art  and Reframing Women: a history of New Zealand film.  Over nine sessions she will introduce you to the pleasures of writing memoir, to the history of the genre using literary excerpts to inspire, by: Frances Edmond, Emma Espiner, Janet Frame, Janice Galloway, Charlotte Grimshaw,  Alison Jones, Blake Morrison, May Sarton, Peter Wells, Jeanette Winterson, Tim Winton… Working on your own and as a group, sharing the writing as you go, you will complete a collection of memoir pieces and portraits that will supply the structure upon which to develop your memoir. Each participant receives an individual mentoring session with Deborah and an opportunity to publish on the ‘Writers’ Stories’ forum at: https://www.deborahshepardbooks.com/writers-stories

Session topics:

1. Defining Memoir. I was born…
2. Where I write. Childhood and family stories
3. The art and craft of writing. Adolescence: the growing season
4. Research, structure, form and thematic writing: The Road Chosen
5. Ethical considerations. On loving and friendship: a biographical portrait of a significant person
6. The history of the journal. Writing in the present moment
7. Individual mentoring session. Nature writing and the joys of observational writing
8. Resilience in uncertain times: how to write well about life's challenges
9. Publication and celebration: a self-portrait in the moment

​When: 26 February — 29 April 2024
Number of sessions: Nine sessions every Monday 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: Devonport Library 
Course fee: $375
Contact Deborah: Via her Contact Page on this website
 
What people say about Deborah’s memoir courses

I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well
                                                                                                   —   Terry Levenberg
Over the five sessions I found my “creative writing voice” as an apprentice, in a safe and supportive environment and through a superbly designed course. As a small group of diverse writers, we were expertly guided by the wise and gentle Deborah, who is an outstanding teacher                                       
                                                                                                 — Maria Kazmierov

Recent feedback on Journalling in Extraordinary Times at the Devonport Library
 
Through journal writing with Deborah I found my writing voice which helps me live with ease and authenticity every day.         
                                                                                                — Catherine Moorhead
Journals are magic portals to finding beauty and sense in the every day and Deborah showed us how to find the key.
                                                                                               — Jicca Smith 
Deborah provided  a  safe, welcoming and skilled approach to journal writing, which enabled group members to find their voice and delight in writing.
                                                                                            — Sally Monks

Artist's illustration: Writing at the Devonport Library by Karen Jarvis, 2023

Writing Family Stories at the Devonport Library
 
Monday 31 October to Monday 21 November 2022
 
Course Description
This workshop, facilitated by memoir teacher Dr Deborah Shepard, offers an opportunity to explore your family stories using photographs, heirlooms and meaningful domestic objects to trigger a creative response.   No prior writing experience is required, just a passion to tell stories about the significant figures and events from your historic past to the recent past and a willingness to explore the creative possibilities. The workshop is open to all ages.    
 
When: Four evening sessions  Monday 31 October — Monday 21 November, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: Devonport Library
Fee: $150 - Please register your interest at  https://www.deborahshepardbooks.com/contact.html
Bring: family photos, treasures, heirlooms, household objects from any era up to the recent past
and an A4 lined notebook.
 
Local author Dr Deborah Shepard is an experienced teacher of memoir and the author of several books on arts and culture in Aotearoa New Zealand including Her Life’s Work and The Writing Life: Twelve New Zealand Authors. You can explore her work and a ‘Writers Stories’ forum at https://www.deborahshepardbooks.com/writers-stories
 
What people say about Deborah’s memoir courses:
I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well
— Terry Levenberg
Over the five sessions I found my “creative writing voice” as an apprentice, in a safe and supportive environment and through a superbly designed course. As a small group of diverse writers, we were expertly guided by the wise and gentle Deborah, who is an outstanding teacher
— Maria Kazmierov
 
Recent feedback on Journalling in Extraordinary Times at the Devonport Library
Through journal writing with Deborah I found my writing voice which helps me live with ease and authenticity every day.
— Catherine Moorhead
My appreciation of journalling as an art was deepened through Deborah's bibliography bringing together writers of different writing styles, backgrounds, countries and historical periods.
— Sylvia Nagl
Journals are magic portals to finding beauty and sense in the everyday and Deborah showed us how to find the key.
— Jicca Smith

Starting Monday 28 February until Monday 16 May 2022
A note: The Zoom platform works extremely well for a course of this nature. Deborah welcomes people from around Aotearoa and across the globe to this worthwhile and very nourishing course.

Course Description
 
Currently we are living through uncharted times where the familiar everyday patterns of existence have been disrupted by a global pandemic. A memoir course at this time of uncertainty offers a welcome refuge and reflective space to investigate and preserve your memories in written form. The process of gathering together the various threads of your life experience and beginning to make meaning of them is an engrossing and ultimately grounding activity. This might be the perfect time to draw on your courage and commit to writing the story of your life.    
 
This course is designed for people who yearn to write a record of their life. It is for those who have never written and for those who enjoy writing in other genres but haven’t yet tried memoir. Under Deborah’s guidance, and in a mutually supportive environment, this ten-week course offers the essential structure, method and themes to help the memoirist strengthen the writing voice and begin to realise the memoir project.
  
Author Dr Deborah Shepard is an experienced memoir tutor, writing mentor and biographer. Her books include: The Writing Life: Twelve New Zealand Authors, Her Life’s Work, Between the Lives: Partners in Art  and Reframing Women: a history of New Zealand film.  Over eight sessions she will introduce you to the pleasures of writing memoir, to the history of the genre and inspiring samples of work by memoirists such as: Janet Frame, Janice Galloway, Charlotte Grimshaw, Fiona Kidman,  Blake Morrison, Peter Wells, Jeanette Winterson, Tim Winton. Working on your own and as a group, sharing the writing as you go, you will complete a collection of memoir pieces and portraits that will supply the structure upon which to develop your memoir. Each participant receives an individual mentoring session with Deborah and an opportunity to publish on her ‘Writers’ Stories’ forum at https://www.deborahshepardbooks.com/writers-stories

Session topics:

1. Defining Memoir. I was born…
2. Where I write. Episodic memories of early childhood
3. The art and craft of writing. Adolescence: the growing season
4. Organising material, chronology, timelines, structure. The passage to adulthood
5. Thematic writing. The Road Chosen
6. Ethical considerations. On loving and friendship: portrait of a significant person
7. The reliability of memory. Looking back from a distance
8. Historical context. When my life intertwined with a major historical event 
9.  Individual mentoring session. Resilience: how to write well about life's challenges.
10. Committing to the memoir project: a self-portrait in the moment

 
What people say about Deborah’s memoir courses

I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well
                                                                                                   —   Terry Levenberg

Over the five sessions I found my “creative writing voice” as an apprentice, in a safe and supportive environment and through a superbly designed course. As a small group of diverse writers, we were expertly guided by the wise and gentle Deborah, who is an outstanding teacher                                       
                                                                                                 — Maria Kazmierov

Recent feedback on Journalling in Extraordinary Times at the Devonport Library
 
Through journal writing with Deborah I found my writing voice which helps me live with ease and authenticity every day.         
                                                                                                — Catherine Moorhead
 
My appreciation of journalling as an art was deepened through Deborah's bibliography bringing together writers of different writing styles, backgrounds, countries and historical periods. 
                                                                                               — Sylvia Nagl 

Journals are magic portals to finding beauty and sense in the every day and Deborah showed us how to find the key.
                                                                                               — Jicca Smith 
Deborah provided  a  safe, welcoming  and skilled approach to journal writing, which enabled group members to find their voice and delight in writing.
                                                                                            — Sally Monks
When:  28 February — 16 May 2022
Number of sessions: Ten sessions Mondays 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Where: on Zoom 
Course fee: $350
Contact Deborah: Via her Contact Page on this website

In Extremis: Journaling in Extraordinary Times at the Devonport Library

When:  22 February — 12 April 2021
Number of sessions: Eight sessions Mondays 6pm – 8.30pm
Where: Devonport Library
Course fee: $280
Contact: d.shepard@xtra.co.nz

Course Description
Currently we are living through an extraordinary time in world history where all the familiar norms of our known existence have been turned upside down by a global pandemic. Yet inherent in this situation, some call it a ‘dangerous opportunity’, is the potential to deepen our experience of the present.Through writing a daily journal you can begin to make sense of what is happening. Through the art of observation, reflection and contemplation, you will find the balance you need to live more peacefully and more fully in each and every given moment.

The journal genre is the ideal genre to discover and develop your writing skills. On this course, as well as establishing a writing routine, you will be creating a record of your own experience for yourself and for future generations.
 
About the teacher:
This journal workshop is presented by author Dr Deborah Shepard, an experienced memoir tutor, NZSA, writing mentor, editor and an earlier Autumn Resident and teacher of Masterclasses in Memoir at the Michael King Writer’s Centre. Her course offers a writing sanctuary where you can reconnect with your inner life and discover what is on your mind.
Over eight session you will receive an introduction to the pleasures and history of the journal form including samples of work by some of the great journalers. Working on your own and as a group, sharing the writing as you go, you will receive writing techniques and triggers to stimulate a series of journal entries; an individual mentoring session with Deborah and an opportunity to publish on https://www.deborahshepardbooks.com/writers-stories 
 
Writing experience
We all have the capacity to write from our personal experience on the subjects that matter to us and on Deborah’s courses you will find techniques and triggers that help strengthen and develop your writing voice. This course is suitable for all comers who have a yearning to write.
 
Sessions topics:

1. Getting Started. Why Write a Journal?
2. My Writing Space: Settling in
3. What is my content?
4. What is my purpose?
5. Writing a journal in extremis
6. Ethics: How deep do I go?
7. Journaling in nature
8. A commitment to the journal project

 
What people say about Deborah’s courses:
I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well
—    Terry Levenberg

Over the five sessions I found my “creative writing voice” as an apprentice, in a safe and supportive environment and through a superbly designed course. As a small group of diverse writers, we were expertly guided by the wise and gentle Deborah, who is an outstanding teacher                                            
— Maria Kazmierov

Deborah has a beautiful, compassionate, inclusive approach to teaching
—    Janet Sergeant

When: 17 April — 20 May 2020
Number of sessions: Eight sessions, 4.30pm – 6pm
Format: Weekend workshop starting 4.30pm Friday 17 April then weekly on Wednesdays
Where: Zoom Online course in your writing room

Course description
Currently we are living through an extraordinary time in world history, where all the familiar
norms of our known existence have been turned upside down by a global pandemic. For each
of us, living through this state of lockdown, our sense of security has been shattered, our
inner resilience tested. We wonder if life will ever return to normal. Yet inherent in this
situation, some are calling it a ‘dangerous opportunity,’ is a potential gift. Through writing a
daily journal you can begin to make sense of what is happening and through the act of
reflection, observation and contemplation, create a new rhythm and sense of balance that will
help you deepen your experience of the present. When lockdown is over your journal will
contain a record for future generations, while the writing will be firmly established as a
practice to take into the future.

Content
This journal workshop, presented by experienced tutor and journaller, Deborah Shepard,
offers a quiet writing sanctuary where you can reconnect with your inner life and discover
what is on your mind. Over eight sessions you will receive: an introduction to the pleasures
of the journal form, its history and evolution; guidance on how to establish a writing routine;
writing techniques and triggers to stimulate a series of writing exercises; discussion and
analysis of writing samples from some of the great proponents of the genre: Henry David
Thoreau, Katherine Mansfield, Virginia Woolf, Lord Byron, Thomas Merton, Etty Hillesum,
John Keats, Samuel Pepys, Sylvia Plath, May Sarton, Joan Didion, Anais Nin and Kate
Llewellyn. Working on your own and as a group sharing the writing as you go, you will be
building a community of writers to nourish the ongoing writing project.

Value and appeal
The course will appeal to people wanting to experiment with using a journal for self-
exploration. It provides tools for developing and strengthening writing skills along with
inspiring prompts to assist with chronicling and preserving your daily observations during the
time of coronavirus, from the humble and small, to the alarming and reassuring, the splendid
and sublime. A resource handbook with tips on writing, relevant quotations, journal excerpts
and a bibliography of the literature will be provided. 

Writing experience
This course is suitable for all comers who have something they want to share about this
moment in history. We all have the capacity to write from our personal experience on the
subjects that matter to us. On Deborah’s courses you are introduced to techniques and
triggers that help strengthen and develop your writing voice.

What people say about Deborah’s courses:

I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well
— Terry Levenberg

Over the five sessions I found my “creative writing voice” as an apprentice, in a safe and supportive
environment and through a superbly designed course. As a small group of diverse writers, we were
expertly guided by the wise and gentle Deborah, who is an outstanding teacher
— Maria Kazmierov

Deborah has a beautiful, compassionate, inclusive approach to teaching
— Janet Sergeant

Sessions topics:
1. Getting Started. Why Write a Journal?
2. My Writing Space: Settling in
3. What is my content?
4. What is my purpose?
5. Writing a journal in extremis
6. Ethics: How deep do I go?
7. Journalling in nature
8. A commitment to the journal project

Breakdown of session dates:
The course begins soon, at the end of this week, with a weekend workshop followed by five
weekly sessions.
Weekend workshop: 4.30pm-6pm Friday 17 April, Saturday 18 April, Sunday 19 April
Weekly sessions: 4.30pm-6pm Wednesday 22 April, Wednesday 29 May, Wednesday 6
May, Wednesday 13 May and Wednesday 20 May.

Fee: sliding scale $220-$280 depending on your budget
Payment: 02-0828-0168145-083 please type your name and ‘Journal Workshop’ in ref and code
boxes

Registration deadline including payment: 4.30pm, Thursday 16 April
Please register at d.shepard@xtra.co.nz and note ‘course registration’ in the subject of the
email

Zoom: Once you’ve registered for the course you will be sent a link to join Zoom and also a
link to a tutorial demonstrating how the technology works