Spring has Sprung!

After some rough weeks fighting off sore throats and flu, I have finally lifted my head to sniff the spring air and discovered that there is a lot going on. World book day took place on Thursday 1st March (a very good excuse to buy myself a delicious book) and there are many writing competitions with deadlines which I will post at the end of this blog. Also I’d like …

Books have arrived !

The Books have arrived !! Here we are in Skerries Bookshop getting ready for the Book Launch of my Student’s short stories. 200 of the 400 copies are already sold! Hope to see you there tomorrow. 5.15pm in Skerries Mills.

Local Writers!

It is only three days until we launch our book ‘Dive into Stories’ written by children and adults who attend my writing classes in Skerries and Malahide. The launch will take place in Skerries Mills on Thursday 15th December at 5.15p.m and all are welcome.  Here is a sneak preview of the content’s page ( you can see if there is anyone you know!). Double click on the image to …

Dive into Stories!

It’s almost Christmas time and once again I have produced a booklet of short stories written by my writing students. This is our largest collection ever. Fifty-six children, teenagers and adults, who attend my Creative writing classes in Skerries and Malahide, have contributed stories. The booklet is entitled ‘Dive into Stories’  and it costs €4. All profits are going to the charity Turn the Tide of Suicide (nominated by one …

The Impress Novel Award

I am delighted to report that my novel ‘Eyes of a Boy’ has been shortlisted for The 2011 Impress Novel Award.  It is a great honour to have my book recognised by Impress Publishers. The Award specialises in new, original and exciting writing talent and I feel very lucky to have been included on the list (in fact I nearly choked when I saw my name on the shortlist!). I …

Planning Ahead

For the first time I have planned my classes for almost a year ahead. I know this is what most educational institutions do, however for me it is a first and I’m delighted with myself. In November I will be celebrating my fourth anniversary of teaching creative writing; I’m so grateful to be still in business, doing a job that I love. In this blog I have posted about what …

Top Writers’ Tips

I was lucky enough to attend the seminar ‘Getting the Novel Done’ at the Mountain to Sea Festival last weekend, where Chris Binchy, Claire Kilroy and John Boyne talked about how they complete their novels. I could have listened to them all day long – they were honest, intelligent and very entertaining. If any of them are looking for a new friend please count me in! Each of them gave …

September is Here!

September has sneaked up very fast indeed, and now I’m already thinking about Christmas. Not for presents, I can assure you, but because of the booklet of students’ stories I produce every Christmas for charity. Planning for this project begins in my first class in September – I ask all students (ages range from eight to eighty) to come up with ideas for the story they’re going to submit.  Last …

Mountains to Sea Festival

I’m very excited about the Mountains to Sea Festival taking place in Dun Laoghaire from 1st to 11th September. There is loads going on. I keep re-reading the brochure to pick which events I’m going to attend. I’ve heard that there are still places available on the writing workshops, even though the deadline for applicants has passed, so if you’re interested get in touch with the box office. Children can …

September is Coming!

  Today I am sending out a newsletter about my line up of weekly classes and workshops for the coming months (I love the autumn!) and I thought it might be a good idea post it here also. It is nearing the time when we begin planning what we’ll do in September and I’d love to learn Italian. I’ve been saying this for years, but I’m really going to put …

Back from Holidays

I had a wonderful rest on my holidays for the last two weeks. I had planned to write but when I switched on my laptop I discovered that I’d lost the previous few days’ work. I felt so nauseous at this discovery that I closed the laptop and didn’t open it again for the rest of my time away. I very seldom lose work, but we had wiped the memory …

First Summer Camp Finished

My mixed teenage and children’s summer camp went very well last week. We had fun making up stories about a wizard called Gummy, his wise Aunt Lily (a pig) and the terrifying Jack Sparrow (who turned out to be not so terrifying after all). Tomorrow I begin my first week-long Adult writing course this summer. Thanks to The Café Times most of the spaces are filled. If you don’t already …

Summer Camp Bookings

This summer the most popular week to do a summer camp for children seems to be from 18th – 22nd July. My creative writing camp for that week booked out this morning, and I am now running a second creative writing camp for children and teenagers (ages 8 – 16) from 4th – 8th July  in Skerries Mills. I am delighted that there is so much interest in my camps. It is my fifth year …

Dublin Writers’ Festival

The Dublin Writers’ festival is taking place this week, and I am very pleased indeed. Rebecca Miller will be speaking at 6pm on Tuesday evening in Liberty Hall. Since reading Rebecca Miller’s short story ‘She Came To Me’ in The New Irish Book of Short Stories edited by Joseph O’Connor, I have become a firm fan. I’m fascinated to see her in the flesh, because of who she is married …

More Good News!

This morning I received a very welcome letter in the post: I was informed that my short story ‘The Secret’ has been placed amongst the top five entries for Listowel Writers’ Week Originals, Short Story Competition; the adjudicator highly commended my work. I an delighted! Thank you very much to Eilish Wren, and the team at Listowel Writers’ Week, for taking the time to let me know that you my …