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 …

Students Win Listowel Writers’ Week Literary Competitions!

Wonderful news for my students from the Listowel Writers’ Week Writing competitions! I’m so proud and excited! Sadhbh Cushen has won joint second place in the nine years and under category. Sadhbh attends classes in Skerries and wrote a very funny story (told mostly through dialogue) about a child who doesn’t want to go to sleep. She shares this prize with Grace Lenny, who is doing an online writing course …

Easter Writing Workshops!

EASTER WRITING WORKSHOPS! This Easter I am running historical fiction writing workshops for children and for teenagers. The focus of these workshops is on having fun and learning how to create an exciting story within a particular historical setting. Combining my degree in History with writing skills, I help participants create characters such as roman emperors, world war heroes and brave famine victims. These characters will then come to life …

New Online Writing Courses!

This January I am launching online writing course for children (7-12 year olds) / teenagers (11-16 yr olds) and adults: Each course consist of ten modules. For each module I email notes and an assignment to be completed. Once I receive an assignment, I will promptly reply with written feedback on the work and also set the next assignment. My tone will be positive and encouraging, praising what is good …

A Wonderful Writing Week

We had a very special time at Listowel Writers’ Week from 28th May – 1st June. I was lucky enough to spend time with one of my favourite writers, Douglas Kennedy. I learned a lot from him about writing and about life. My wonderful students Ciara Hogan and Sarah McKenna collected their prizes at the awards ceremony and saw their work published alongside top Irish writers Donal McCann, Deirdre Madden …

Summer Camp Discount!

For the month of May I am offering a ten percent discount off places at my summer camps in Malahide, Skerries, Swords and Blackrock, County Dublin. There is only one week left in the month so if you’re interested in booking a place for your child, at a discounted price, get clicking!    www.meganwynne.com/shop/ So far Malahide leads the way as the most popular summer camp venue, which is a surprise …

New Ventures

Yesterday, I received the goods news that The Department of Education has approved my summer writing courses for teachers. The course ‘Improving Literacy Standards Through Creative Writing’ will take place in Skerries Mills from 6 – 10th and 20 -24th Augus 2012. This is an exciting new venture for me and I hope to meet lots of teachers with a passion for writing. As a result of this, the dates …

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 …

Summer is Coming!

This summer Skerries Mills have given me their gorgeous art gallery  for the month of July and a week at the end of August to run teenage and children’s summer camps, and adult week-long courses. In the Mills there is an excellent Cafe (where adults can natter over cappuccinos) and outside there is lots of green space for younger writers to run around; during the breaks I organise games to …