The booklet of short stories, written by the adults, teenagers and children who attend my Creative Writing classes in Skerries, has gone to the printers and will be delivered next week! This year, the charity chosen by the authors is Remember Us in Balbriggan – a social support group for young people with special needs and their familes. To find out more about REMEMBER US, please click [here]. The title …

Last year my wonderful creative writing students wrote a collection of short stories for Christmas. (See the photos of the launch above.). This year we are doing the same thing. Our booklet is a mixture of fairy tales, spooky stories and adult contemporary fiction, written by authors ranging from eight to seventy-one years old! Last Christmas the response to our booklet was overwhelming. The book launch was packed out (not …

My emotions around writing confuse me, and I suspect I’m not alone. I want to write, I really do, and when I’ve done my session each day I feel great, but before I begin I dread it – a bit like the feeling I used to have with homework, except no one is making me do it but myself. This week I have been writing quite merrily for just over …

There is a lot going on in Dublin’s writing world this September. Last weekend I lounged about a lecture hall in Trinity listening to Fiachra Sheridan, Chris Binchy, Patricia Scanlon and Sheila O’Flannagan (amongst others) talking at the Books 2009 festival. It was lovely to be there – I could almost pretend I was a student once again, except these days no acholol consumption is allowed on the grass outside …

I’ve missed you, and I’ve missed myself. For the past four weeks I’ve been running around organising venues for classes in September, buying ink, designing advertisement posters (my husband had the cheek to follow his own interests – windsurfing – and leave me for two weeks without technical back up. It’s amazing how much I learnt in his absence) and putting up said posters in local shops. I’ve also been …

It has taken me many years to learn the art of accepting criticism. My agent taught me the first step. Whenever she suggested a change she urged me to ‘sleep on it’ before responding. Words of wisdom indeed. My first reaction is nearly always: no way! I am not changing a thing about MY book and how dare you even suggest it? I hate you! Anger is closely followed by …

I had my first children/teen summer camp in Skerries a week ago and it went really well, even if I say so myself. Above you can see the very intelligent and likable bunch who attended. They wrote stories together about characters living in the Big Brother house, and afterwards, followed them home to show how their lives were changed after the experience. Later I asked them to describe the sensation …

My first children’s and teenage summer camp is underway, which is the reason for my lack of blogging. Yes, yes, I know – I always have an excuse. They’re an excellent bunch. It’s amazing how much I get done with children and teenagers. They fly through the work and at breaktime run outside for games and fresh air to rejuvenate their minds. Adults, on the other hand, chat away during …

The good news today is that the opening chapters of my novel ‘Soul to Soul’ have joined the best seller list on the Youwriteon site in the UK. Reviewers scored it for plot, character, narrative voice etc. I’m very pleased as publishers look at the best seller list and the best of these books will be published next year. Also my children’s book is going well, just as I said …

I’ve returned from holidays and today normal life resumes, supposedly. It’s after ten and I haven’t quite started yet and that is because I am SO fond a pottering about in the morning – I read bits of books, drink coffee, write in my journal and think. It is my favourite time of day – I think and plan but don’t actually DO anything. I love thinking and planning. I’m …

Apologies for my lack of blogging. There are two reasons for this: One, I did my back in last Sunday (fell off a horse years ago and my poor back has never quite recovered) and Two, I developed a tummy bug from swimming in the Irish Sea – in an attempt to help my back. Thankfully, I am now on the mend and very happy to join my blog again. …

Many writers bang on about having to write something everyday. I don’t always agree with that. One can end up writing a whole pile of rubbish, while sticking rigidly and miserably to the rule. Sometimes it is better to take time out to let the story come to the surface. That’s what I’m trying at the moment, and it feels right. I’m in the middle of writing a children’s novel …

Thanks to those who read my blog yesterday and inwardly (or outwardly – Shirley!) wished me luck. The very good news is that for twenty-four hours I managed to succeed in Letting Go, and I am still in the ‘Letting Go’ state this morning – yipppeee! Yesterday I did things that I don’t normally allow myself do when I’m in terrified ‘controling my life’ mode: I baked two batches of …

The art of Letting Go is something I attempt to do daily – and mostly fail, but sure I’m still in my thirties (just). I was windsurfing at the weekend with my husband, who is super duper. I’m not quite so super but I do enjoy windsurfing, now and again. It was windy and wavy, and I clung onto the boom (which encircles the sail) with a vice like grip. …

I find it difficult when I make huge, heartbreaking mistakes. I have sent off manuscripts to agents and publishers, with chapters in the wrong order and have written entire sections of novels through the eyes of the wrong character. When I’ve finally realised what I’ve done, I’ve raged at God for not ‘telling’ me how to do it right first time around. Yesterday, however, I had an insight into why …