Memoir courses:
"I highly recommend Deborah’s “life Writing” course. 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. By the end of the week, not only do you have the experience of writing with mentoring on a variety of “life themes”. You leave with a group of fellow writers who are your support group "for life” in writing. Thank you Deborah for your inspiration." — Maria Kazmierow
"This is such a worthwhile course where emotional safety and student growth in writing are paramount." – Marilyn Woolford
"Deborah is amazing. Her genuine connection with story and people was absolutely crucial to this course’s success."
— Rachael Breckon
"Deborah has a beautiful, compassionate, inclusive approach to her teaching. We all got so much more out of this course than we could have imagined." – Janet Sergeant.
"I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well." — Terry Levenberg
In Extremis: Journalling in Extraordinary Times 2021
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 is a warm and generous teacher whose gentle and well informed nature allows her students to flourish into writing butterflies. Upon graduating from the journal course, our group has established an ongoing monthly writing club which provides inspiration, encouragement and a platform to share the joy of journalling. — Sasha Alba
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
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
Master Classes at The Michael King Writers’ Centre 2014
“I have gone from ambivalence and doubt to feeling confident I can do this due to Deborah’s superb teaching methods and well-structured classes.”
“Thank you for this class, and for Deborah’s time and expertise in making it so challenging and enjoyable...and for the constructive way in which she provided feedback.”
“I have gained so much from Deborah’s Life Writing Classes, her gentle encouragement, her generous affirmation, her own sharing of her writing successes and dilemmas.”
Life Writing Mentor
First Chapters writing programme in Manukau and Papakura, South Auckland 2010
“What an interesting group and fascinating writings at Manukau’s Life Writing workshop. It was good to meet Deborah, finally, after all this time of trying to get into her very popular Auckland course.”
“I am wanting to let you know how much I enjoyed Deborah’s life writing workshop in Manukau. When I left I felt like I could achieve anything. The way the workshop was structured and facilitated was awesome. I felt everyone in the room felt the same way and it has left a lasting impression on me.”
“I absolutely LOVED the life writing workshop with Deborah at Manukau. She is such a fantastic tutor. This is something I have wanted to have a go at as long as I can remember and I'm now very excited about it.”
Life writing mentor NZSA
Young Mentee feedback
"Deborah Shepard has a comprehensive understanding of the art of writing and teaching memoir. Her guidance is both rigorous and nurturing, and as a result I have become a great deal more confident in the quality of my work and in myself as a writer."
"I highly recommend Deborah’s “life Writing” course. 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. By the end of the week, not only do you have the experience of writing with mentoring on a variety of “life themes”. You leave with a group of fellow writers who are your support group "for life” in writing. Thank you Deborah for your inspiration." — Maria Kazmierow
"This is such a worthwhile course where emotional safety and student growth in writing are paramount." – Marilyn Woolford
"Deborah is amazing. Her genuine connection with story and people was absolutely crucial to this course’s success."
— Rachael Breckon
"Deborah has a beautiful, compassionate, inclusive approach to her teaching. We all got so much more out of this course than we could have imagined." – Janet Sergeant.
"I came away with a lot of confidence that I had something to say and that I could say it well." — Terry Levenberg
In Extremis: Journalling in Extraordinary Times 2021
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 is a warm and generous teacher whose gentle and well informed nature allows her students to flourish into writing butterflies. Upon graduating from the journal course, our group has established an ongoing monthly writing club which provides inspiration, encouragement and a platform to share the joy of journalling. — Sasha Alba
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
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
Master Classes at The Michael King Writers’ Centre 2014
“I have gone from ambivalence and doubt to feeling confident I can do this due to Deborah’s superb teaching methods and well-structured classes.”
“Thank you for this class, and for Deborah’s time and expertise in making it so challenging and enjoyable...and for the constructive way in which she provided feedback.”
“I have gained so much from Deborah’s Life Writing Classes, her gentle encouragement, her generous affirmation, her own sharing of her writing successes and dilemmas.”
Life Writing Mentor
First Chapters writing programme in Manukau and Papakura, South Auckland 2010
“What an interesting group and fascinating writings at Manukau’s Life Writing workshop. It was good to meet Deborah, finally, after all this time of trying to get into her very popular Auckland course.”
“I am wanting to let you know how much I enjoyed Deborah’s life writing workshop in Manukau. When I left I felt like I could achieve anything. The way the workshop was structured and facilitated was awesome. I felt everyone in the room felt the same way and it has left a lasting impression on me.”
“I absolutely LOVED the life writing workshop with Deborah at Manukau. She is such a fantastic tutor. This is something I have wanted to have a go at as long as I can remember and I'm now very excited about it.”
Life writing mentor NZSA
Young Mentee feedback
"Deborah Shepard has a comprehensive understanding of the art of writing and teaching memoir. Her guidance is both rigorous and nurturing, and as a result I have become a great deal more confident in the quality of my work and in myself as a writer."