Harbledown Hope

Presented by children’s author Andrew Bullerwww.andrewbuller.com @ABullerAuthor

Writing WorkshopSt Clementin, France, June 2016

Part 2

Bonjour!

Andrew Buller• Author, Illustrator, Designer, Consultant,

Speaker• Author of children’s book series ‘The

Rhymers’• Volunteer at Catching Lives – use creative

writing and arts skills to enable and inspire clients

www.andrewbuller.com

Catching Lives

• Independent charity supporting rough sleepers, homeless &

vulnerably housed in Canterbury & East Kent

“Our vision is of a society where all are included and all, no matter how

disadvantaged, can make a contribution. ”

www.catchinglives.org

Litfest Project• 2 year EU funding with partners in Spain,

Italy, France• “Enable clients to express their thoughts,

feelings and emotions through art work, photography, animation, film, poetry, drama

and short story writing”• Long-term vision way beyond this funding

• Key aims of the project:Create, Enable, Inspire

Making a MaskActivity

Which mask will you choose?

Q: What masks do we hide behind?

Our Writing Journey…

• The Blank Page• Anything goes• Everyone & every idea

valued

Brainstorming Ideas

Favourite ThemeThe Urban Fox – but why?• “We can identify with it”• Link with previous artwork• Freedom of animal voice

Harbledown

He is one of us!

Storyboard• Fox hunt

• Parents of fox killed• Fox rescued by kind dog• Journey to Canterbury

• Arrive at Greyfriars shed• Animals try to feed fox

• Fox close to death• Mother dog feeds fox• Hope of future for fox• Caring father figure

revealed

Human CharactersJust like us???!!

Where could we get our inspiration from?

Characters - Father Figure• Historical research• Overseer of animals

• Links with Canterbury

Dick Sheppard (1880-1937)• Dean of Canterbury• Work with homeless in

London• Peace Pledge Union• Buried in cathedral & own

stained glass window

Characters - Female villain• Cruella de Vil type

character• Brainstorming characteristics &

potential plot lines/back story

Character ideas:Angular, rigid, sharp, stick-like, piercing voice, cunning, softly sinister, sly grin, whistle through gap in teeth (filled with gold), aggressive, happy whenever killing, love of fur, bling, corset bursting figure, long black boots

Characters – Mad, Bad BishopHunchback “Bishop O’Keefe with the mouldy

teeth”

Character DevelopmentActivity

Describe your chosen

character

Fox’s Journey – Walk in Our Shoes• Jimmy & Keith - talent & knowledge incredible

• Story locations linked to walk• Important places to homeless community

• Walk part of 3-day EU Litfest

On Location - GreyfriarsIn search of the animal’s

shed – representing Catching Lives

Photographs of story locations

‘Murketta’s – Fur Traders by appointment,’ the sign proclaimed triumphantly as Biggles paused for breath at the end of The King’s Mile. Through the grubby window could be seen a sorry array of animal skins, draped over the shoulders of dusty mannequins.

“What a furr-fect day!” Murketta whistled from the dingy doorway of her shop. “I’m so happy to say, my foxes in these boxes will bring fortune my way!”Biggles froze, but too late, for Murketta’s beady eyes had seen her next prey. “What a cute doggy, come here, you’re so sweet. Would you like a warm home dear and something to eat?”

Biggles recognised the empty promises and knew what to do. Three gentle steps forward towards her grasp, but as she grabbed, three sideways steps to leave her sprawled across the cobbles, screaming, “You won’t get away - your fur on my hangers – I will have my day!”

Murketta’s vile screams stirred the fox. His head rose gingerly and one bleary eye opened. He wished it hadn’t. His eye met the evil, murderous glare. Oh how it burned into his core, imprinting itself, haunting him. He was face to face with his parent’s killer. “I can’t take any more. Please make it stop. I just want to die.”

Harbledown & Biggles at Murketta’s shop

Night was deepening now and the streets were beginning to quieten. The cathedral’s solid walls promised sanctuary. Yet as Biggles approached, the heavy wooden door slammed shut. A crooked man in a silk-lined cloak and mitred cap turned the key. It was Bishop O’Keefe, with his wicked grin bearing mouldy teeth. He picked at his deep black mole and wiped his long dripping nose on his cloak sleeve.“Be off with you...I said be off with you!”Saliva sprayed across the animals as the bishop swung round brandishing his gnarled crook which connected with the fox’s back, sharply enough to make him yelp and tumble from Biggle’s jaws.“We don’t want your dirty kind in this prestigious establishment. Clear off you flea-infested rag-a-bones.”Biggles snarled and slowly approached the bishop, but he heard Sheppard’s voice whispering clearly, “Leave him be. His time will come.”Bishop O’Keefe feared the dog’s teeth, but he wasn’t about let that show. He slunk away into the shadows, murmuring, “Be afraid. Be very afraid you filthy beast. Our paths will cross again and you will regret it!”Biggles turned to the whimpering fox. Fresh blood was dripping from his reopened wounds. Biggles rushed to the fox’s side and urgently gathered him into his jaws. “I must get you to safety. Please stay with me. Keep breathing. This is not your time to die.”

Harbledown & Biggles meeting Bishop O’Keefe

Getting into role

Activity

Female villain or mad, bad Bishop

IllustrationsEncourage as many as possible to get involved

The story’s beginning…Harbledown

Hope

I cowered; the drift of leaves my disguise, my refuge, my escape from the madness. Blood ran from my open wounds, mingling with the autumn colours.I hadn’t seen the tangled wire web and its rusted thorns as I scrambled for cover.My torn body shuddered. The pain was unbearable.

Blood-curdling barks, the piercing horn, echoed through the early morning mist. I was terrified, my heart pounding.From my hiding place at the edge of the wood, I looked across the meadow to see my parents pressed to the soaking grass, nowhere to go. They exchanged fear-filled, knowing glances. Thundering hooves were getting closer. The ground rumbled menacingly. The roar of the hunt was deafening.Through my tears I saw two flashes of fiery red leap up, straight towards the onrushing hunt.“Mum! Dad! Why? Don’t leave me!”Their terrified eyes turned to meet mine, but for just one last time, as the hounds’ teeth closed in.Mum and Dad were gone. I was alone.My eyes filled and closed. They didn’t want to see anymore.

Harbledown Hope’s beginning…

To come…

• Complete the story, illustrate & publish

• More books – Harbledown’s series

• Much more written & art work

Final thoughts…• What talent within our clients

• What a positive use of time

• What development of new skills

• What an inspiration to others

We Create, Enable, Inspire

Au revoir

Merci