Debra Williams, Cootamundra author and puppeteer, will team up with local ex-teacher Pamela Heys to conduct a workshop on 'Writing effective conversation through the power of puppets to adults' at the Murrumburrah Courthouse on Thursday, July 26, commencing at 1 pm.
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Mrs Williams, who writes as Debra Clewer, has always loved to write, and spent over thirty years working with children, so no one was surprised when in 2015, she started to write her first children's book, 'Harriet and the Secret Rings'.
"My first husband John Clewer and I wrote Harriet and the Secret Rings together," Ms Clewer said.
"He had a lot of input into the story and especially the character of 'Gruffyd' the dragon, who now has his own website. I dedicated my second book, 'Harriet and the Secret Librarian', released in 2017, to John's memory."
Mr Clewer passed away in April, 2016.
It seemed only natural, that as the characters in her stories developed and became more real to her, that Ms Clewer started to design puppets to represent them.
"I now design and make custom puppets, which I sell on my website 'clewerpuppets' and at markets in the local area. I am currently helping to design a range of puppets that will be used in Infants and Primary Schools as a tool to teach children about bullying behaviour and why it is so wrong." Ms Clewer said.
"It is such a huge problem for our young people today, and this program is designed to teach children how to deal with bullying behaviour and why it is unacceptable."
Through puppets, Mrs Williams and Mrs Heys hope to steer participants along paths that will stimulate imaginations, generate depth in characters, and hopefully boost belief in each participants creative abilities.
"The character and look of the puppet 'Granny Gert' is loosely based on my grandmother." Ms Clewer said. "I did ask my grandmother Gertrude if I could base Granny Gert on her, and she didn't seem to mind. Her only comment was that she hated being called 'Gert'. I took that as permission."
Ms Clewer said that she is currently also writing her third 'Harriet' adventure; based on the Gold Rush and written about the Lambing Flat, Temora and Bendigo areas.
"My aim with my books is to inspire children's imaginations, encourage them to read and teach them a little bit about history in a fun way." Ms Clewer said. "I do lots of research into the time periods I set my books, because I want to make sure I get all the facts right, even if the stories are pure adventure fiction."
If you require further information on the Puppetry Writing Workshop please call Robin on 02 6386 2100.
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