Deborah Leslie Author

Creative Writing Workshops for schools

Creative Writing workshops - £75.00 per 90 min session

Talks/Readings - £50.00 per 1hr session

Deborah is a published short story writer, children's novelist and Creative Writing tutor for children and adults. She is also a prize-winning Doric writer, playwright and the author of two short story collections for adults. All Creative Writing workshops can be delivered in the North-east's Doric dialect.

Workshops can be tailored to suit the Curriculum for Excellence and teachers' individual topic requirements.

'The children thoroughly enjoyed Deborah's World War II writing workshop, combining hands-on artefacts, collaborative working and learning about using their senses to make their writing more interesting.'

Kate Lamb, Headteacher, Keithhall Primary, Inverurie

Recent successful workshops have focused on topics such as:

• Pirates

• The World War II Evacuees *

• Culloden

Sessions looking at the craft of story writing:

• Characterisation *

• Plot *

• Dialogue

• Viewpoint

• 'Show - don't tell'

• Effective description/using five senses and emotions

• Writing story 'hooks'

Heritage/Culture/ Doric Writing

Innovative collaboration using Heritage film and Doric writing consisting of 2 x 90 min. workshops

•
' The use of video footage followed by an interactive Doric writing lesson brought our local heritage alive for the pupils. Such methods inspired and engaged pupils, resulting in an educational and enjoyable experience for all .' Rachel Wilson, Class Teacher, Banff Primary

1 x 90 min. Heritage workshop session using audio visual stimulus.

• Followed by 1 x 90 min. interactive Creative Writing workshop using a bank of subject relevant Doric words and discussion on general Creative Writing tips.

Recent workshops have looked at subjects such as: Past Rural Life and the North-east's Fisher Folk.

CPD training for teachers also available on any aspect of Creative Writing.

* Exemplars available for study.

For a reference, please contact Katherine Maclean (Cultural Co-ordinator for Aberdeenshire Council).

Creative Writing for Mental Health/Substance Misuse/Criminal Justice groups

Sessions are available using Creative Writing as a therapeutic tool and as a means of self-expression.

For a reference, please contact Jackie Junor. Employment development officer, Aberdeenshire Council

Creative Writing classes for adults

Deborah tutors courses in Creative Writing in the Aberdeenshire area. The classes are very relaxed and informal and are aimed at beginners.

The course aims to give a guide to creative writing and an understanding of the techniques required to write a short story.(Advanced follow-on class also available)

The class will focus on short story writing as a means of teaching the craft, although the techniques you will learn can be applied to many forms of prose writing.

So whether you have ambitions to see your work published and read by thousands in a national magazine, or to keep a more interesting diary, or just to experiment and write purely for your own pleasure - that's your choice, and takes nothing away from what is a most pleasurable and satisfying pastime.

Classes are currently running at Ellon Community Centre. Additional classes may be starting up in Aberdeenshire Community Centres later in the year

CLASS INFORMATION CONTACT Nos-
Inverurie's Garioch Community Centre		01467 620353
Ellon Community Centre	Pauline Bowie	01358 727910
For information on other classes in the area		01467 624207