Journaling Workshop For Mental Well Being

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, I was truly terrified. I’ve always been anxious anyway but when everything closed down (including my business), I was scared that I was going to lose cherished people in my life, and even my own. I couldn’t see how I could NOT lose them. During that first wave a beautiful, creative and talented cousin of mine died of COVID in London, leaving his …

No Summer Camps Going Ahead

After much thought, I’ve made the difficult decision not to run summer camps this year. The reason I came to this decision is because two things happened: 1. The bookings for the camps were low 2. I received Literature Bursary Awards from the Arts Council and my local Arts Office. Since the pandemic hit, I have been trying to keep my business afloat and have neglected my own writing. It …

How Do You Write Vivid Description?

Writing vivid description is not my strong point. The children I teach can often produce better descriptions of setting than I do. I prefer working on dialogue, pacing and action. However this year I tackled this deficiency in my writing when I was awarded a bursary of €300 from the Irish Writers’ Union. I could do with the money exactly as I wished – as long as it helped develop …

The Covid Collection

I am so thrilled that this year we have been able to publish a book of students’ stories. When my school closed in March, I didn’t think it was going to be possible, but I took a leap of faith and asked the children to write stories anyway.  I told them their work would be published in a book – even though I didn’t have the funds to do it, …

How Do You Inspire a Child to Write?

FORGET ABOUT HANDWRITING AND SPELLINGS! Many children don’t know how to write a story. Others don’t want to. I think the problem stems from too much emphasis on hand writing and spelling in school. Of course these are important things, but when it comes to writing creatively they need to be put to one side. Instead the focus needs to be on fun and creating crazy and exciting characters, worlds …

Why Do I Teach Creative Writing to Children?

Why did I open a creative writing school for children? I offer creative writing classes to children because I want them to have what I didn’t have – someone to teach them how to write brilliant stories! I loved to read as a child and I thought authors were magical beings – I still do. My greatest dream was that I would one day write a novel and become one of those …

creative writing forchildren and teens dublin

Courses Update

15/6/2020I hope you’re all well, safe and adjusting to the new normal. I want to give you the latest update on creative writing courses for children. SUMMER CAMPS It was my my intention to offer children’s creative writing camps this summer. Regrettably due to venue availability, the sanitation guidelines, current restrictions on social distancing and hand hygiene requirements, it’s not possible to proceed as planned. It’s been challenging for us …

Re-envisaging Our School

Hello, We hope you are well and staying sane and safe at home. Like many businesses, we were devastated to close due to the pandemic in March. After several weeks of dealing with the sudden closure, we are now working to find ways to open up again, when it is safe to do so. On the plus side (we have found one!) we realise now is an opportunity to re-envisage …

Summer Camps Cancelled

Due to government regulations in place as a result of the Covid19 pandemic, unfortunately all Summer Camps are now cancelled. We are very sorry for the disappointment, but know you will understand we are looking after the safety of students and staff. All bookings will be refunded and we hope to see your children again. Take care of your lovely selves!

COVID 19 and School

With great sadness I temporarily closed face-to-face classes on Thursday 12th March, to keep students and staff safe from COVID 19. In line with government regulations on social distancing, Easter camps were also cancelled. After school classes have now resumed online and we are completing the winter term on Zoom. The current status on summer camps is that they are going ahead, however that may change depending on government restrictions …

We Are Hiring!

We are seeking part-time temporary creative writing teacher (s) for Easter and summer camps, one day workshops and after school classes. The ideal candidate will have many of the following qualifications, skills and qualities: Trained teacher Published writer – short stories / articles / novels etc. Has a keen interest in children’s fiction Is passionate about inspiring children to use their imagination and reach their potential Loves reading fiction and …

Bursary From Fingal County Council

This year I was lucky enough to be awarded a bursary from the Arts Office in Fingal County Council. It allowed me to take eight weeks off from teaching to complete my young adult novel, “The Gender Switch.” I have been working on this teenage novel for five years and I was delighted to be able to give it the time it deserves. I spent one week completely immersed in …

My Children’s Book Published This Month!!

My first novel for children, The House on Hawthorn Road, is being published by The O’Brien Press this month. It is a time slip novel aimed at readers aimed 8+. I am so excited about this and cannot wait until children are reading it! Two centuries, two children, one house Beth didn’t want to move to Dublin – she misses her old life and her friends back in London. New …

Summer Camps

We are busy preparing for our summer camps that begin in two weeks. This year we are focusing on unusual and peculiar characters, who aren’t able to fit in. The theme is acceptance of ourselves and others. During the camp, each child will create their own character and unique setting, plot a story, learn how to write dialogue, hook the reader, and plan the end of the story. Everyone will …

Feedback from Students

Every term I ask my students to give me written feedback on what they enjoy about creative writing classes and what they don’t like. Here’s a couple I received at the end of last term. Ten year old boy in Malahide I liked almost everything but I didn’t like a few things: I disliked how we only got one jelly (I am not greedy, everyone in the class would agree). …