North West Words with Garden Room Writers in Rathmullan Community Festival

 

L to R: Deirdre  McClay, Maureen Curran and Nick Griffiths

Sometimes an opportunity falls your way, that you just can't refuse. So it is, when you are asked to read your work in Rathmullan. Readings by the seaside, good food in An Bonnan Bui - heavenly, historical and beautiful Rathmullan, Co. Donegal.

Flight of the Earls, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal  

The weekend of 04th-6th August was the Rathmullan Community Festival, and three members of Garden Room Writers, Maureen Curran, Nick Griffith and Deirdre McClay read at North West Words at the festival. In the beautiful setting of An Bonnan Bui restaurant, the readings attracted a lovely audience of both locals and visitors. We had to keep running out to get more chairs. 

 Maureen Curran reading

Maureen Curran was first to read, and she treated us to some recent poems and some old favourites - she made us ponder, laugh and cry, and all in her lovely lyrical style. 

                                                              Nick Griffiths reading

Anyone who has heard Nick Griffiths read, will know to expect quick wit, humour, and as often as not, a twist in the tail. He did not disappoint. And, he read the only poem I've ever heard about Midsomer Murders.

                                                              Deirdre McClay reading

And then for something different, I read my one published poem, and two flash fictions featuring an exploding mother in law and a three foot statute of the Virgin Mary (not in the same story - although that's an idea).

Then, of course, we just had to have lunch with friends downstairs.

Thank you to the Rathmullan Community Festival for inviting us, to Maureen Curran for all the arrangements, to a lovely audience, and to Monica and Martin (An Bonnan Bui) our lovely hosts. And to Rathmullan, for just being so incredibly beautiful, as always. Go visit it - it's a treasure.

  

In pursuit of writing time: my Month of May Poetry Challenge (and a new poem)

While I struggle to find the time to dedicate solely to writing I am conscious of the need to do just that. Pursuit of dedicated writing time is a major reason why I attend, organise and promote workshops. It is why I completed the Iowa Writers MOOC How Writers Write Poetry why I have done NaPoWriMo, why I joined Kevin Higgins' online workshop.
I also realise that although the actual writing is a solitary activity, for me an important impetus is the group; the joint participation, the feedback, the energy, the companionship it offers.
So, when I was invited to join a poetry writing challenge on Facebook for the month of May, I jumped at the chance. I would have to commit to sitting at my desk (mostly kitchen table) for a set amount of time per day. Some of the group were familiar to me and included Nick from Garden Room Writers, but most were not.

And that way, May began with a daily prompt, a word or image, and twenty-four hours to respond. At school May is busy with planning and marking student revision, so it was almost always after 10 pm when I sat down to consider my poem. Incredibly, the poems would come. Not all masterpieces but many of them solid first drafts. Most interesting were the poems I wrote that I wouldn't have reached on my own without the prompts.

The camaraderie of the group was important  and the diverse voices without a doubt enriched the month's writing. It was impossible to resist the urge to read what others posted on my lunch-break and at the end of the day (Facebook is blocked on my work computer and 4G coverage poor). Maybe I would have been better to try to respond 'blind', I'll never know. I was surprised by the angles people took, the quality of the writing produced in these constraints and the productivity of everyone involved, not least my own.

The quality of my own responses varied, there were "Yes" moments definitely, but some writing was a chore and reads that way. I persisted even with prompts I disliked, as the discipline of the challenge was so important to me. There were tired evenings and busy evenings, the latest post from me was 11.58 pm. I missed two poems but was determined to get back and I did, writing three responses on May 27th which I posted at 8.36, 8.59 and 11.22 pm.

The challenge produced poems (which is not to be undervalued) but did it instill that all important writing habit? Yes, resoundingly, yes. It certainly proved what I've been told often. Of course you will write if you sit down to write, it is unlikely to happen otherwise.
I have written more since the end of May, although I admit not every day. But still. I'm on holidays now, and excuse free, I have a body of work to edit and submit. I feel satisfied with 31 pieces of work produced in May, nine of which I consider worthy pieces. I have never written nine poems in a month.

Here is my response to 'Tame' and a photo of my print of one of Kim Sharkey's beautiful hares.



Girl

There is fox in that glic eye
hare in the mad dash of you
the badger in you won't relent
you are salmon sure of your path
hedgehog safe when you roll

my frog adaptable dear one
don't tame for them,

not entirely.

Magic Minutes

Our writing group meets every three weeks and the idea is that we each prepare a piece of writing to bring along and share with the group. Three weeks can go by very quickly and, more often than not, I find that once again I have nothing prepared.
At one of our recent meetings Maureen read out a poem she had written on her smartphone while watching a basketball practice proving that with no pen, paper or dedicated 'writing time' it is still possible to write and get ideas down. Inspired by this I took myself to Café Davitt in Letterkenny during a lunch break and started writing. Forty minutes later I had the start of a poem and something to share with the Garden Room Writers at the next meeting. I'm going to try and catch these 'magic minutes' more often and get something down on paper. Waiting for an opportunity to write, and expecting inspiration to hit at the same time, is precious time lost. Grab the moments and the minutes will look after themselves.

Melting Clocks and Coffee Cups

Melting clocks and coffee cups
Chandeliers and scones
Glitter jars and wooden spoons
Falafel wraps and more

Clink of teaspoons
Stories stirring
Lime-green candles burn
Chalk-board menus
Cake displays
Dalí prints on walls

An invitation
To open the door
What's on the other side?
Mindful murals
Remind us all
To live
To laugh
To love.

By Annalisa Deeney

North West Words Irish Language Poetry Award Night Thursday 30th March

This Thursday is the Award Night for the North West Words, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, and Donegal Creameries/Aurivo Irish Language Poetry Competition 2016. It's in Florence Food Co, Main Street, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal at 8pm. There will be readings of the six shortlisted poems, our judge Proinsias Mac a'Bhaird, Trad music and open mic. All free of charge - see you there.

        

The Launchpad Journal - April submissions

The Launchpad Journal showcases new children's writing and will be open for submissions for the whole month of April - includes stories and poems for pre-school to YA.

Bath Children's Novel Award

The 2017 Bath Children's Novel Award will be open for entries from 2nd May to 19th November 2017 - a competition for unsigned children's novelists of all genres of middle grade and young adult fiction. The website has an interview with last years winner, Gareth Osborne, as well as interviews with previous winners and short-listed authors. There are also links to read the opening chapters of the winning and short-listed entries - you can spend a few hours browsing the site as I have done this evening! For this award the novels are initially shortlisted by a team of junior judges aged 7 -17. The interviews are informative and help give an insight into the processes both author and agent go through to develop a novel.
The Bath Novel Award invites submissions of unpublished or independently-published novels written for adults or young adults. It is open for submissions now and the closing date is 24th April 2017. (Fee £25).

Show me the money!

Claire Hennessy wrote a useful piece in the Irish Times about the reality of being a children's author with respect to earning an income. It would be easy to become deflated by the realisation that earning a comfortable living by becoming a children's author is not an easy or common scenario for many. However, with challenges come opportunities and it is inspiring to read about people who do still work full or part-time while managing to write and publish their work.
It's a tough industry and, while I know it doesn't pay the bills, the reward gained from meeting other creative like-minded souls, laughing together, sharing work and celebrating each others successes is equally as valuable to me.
But, another tip that may help, which for some reason keeps popping into my head, is something Steve Martin said which is: 'Be so good they can't ignore you.' And Steve Martin did ok so I think that's good advice!

Garden Room Writers Artists' date with Errigal Writers

The Glenveagh Room at Arnolds Hotel Dunfanaghy

Saturday morning, I stroll Dunfanaghy, a pretty town twenty-five minutes from home, the sun tries to break out and the rain holds off for the moment. Half my mind is logging off, detaching from the working week, seizing  a moment to draw breath in what has been a really busy year at work. The other half, I hope the right side of the old brain, is firing on all cylinders.

I am on mid-term break, the Mock exams are over, and I am on an artists' date with Garden Room Writers and our more experienced writing friends, the Errigal Writers. I defer the opportunity for a lie in for the opportunity to spend creative time together with these writers in the hope of generating new work. Friendships overlap between writers in the two groups and Deirdre from our group and Averil from Errigal Writers have suggested an Artists' Date. In each group we feel the need for a bit of energy, for some stocktaking and are curious to see if sharing creative dates together might be useful.  

North West Words February Event - 23rd February at 8pm in Cafe Florence

The North West Words February event is next Thursday at 8pm in Cafe Florence, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Kate Newmann, poet and co-founder of Summer Palace Press,  will be there to announce the winner and runners-up in the North West Words and Donegal Creameries Poetry Competition 2016. There will be readings of all the shortlisted poems, and the monthly open mic - a great evening of new poetry.

North West Words January Event - 26th January at 8pm in Cafe Florence

This month's North West Words is back to its usual last Thursday of the month slot in Cafe Florence, Main Street, Letterkenny. All are welcome and it's free of charge. Again, there's a great lineup of readers, and also music from Highland Radio's Jean Curran.And, of course, there's the open mic for  readers who come along on the night and want to read their work. So come along and listen, or listen and read - whatever you enjoy.

Happy Christmas from the Garden Room Writers

 Image from: http://all-free-download.com/

Some free-to-enter writing competitions in 2017

Most writing competitions charge an entry fee, and as long it's reasonable, that's understandable - there are, of course, costs involved in running them. Still, some are expensive to enter, or the costs can build up if you are entering a few. However, there are occasional free competitions available – often funded by commercial organisations. So, here are a few free-to-enter short story competitions I’ve come across recently – and one that also asks for poetry entries.

North West Words Christmas Arts Night Thursday 15th December 2016

The Christmas event from North West Words runs this Thursday evening, and rounds off their monthly arts nights for 2016. The featured reader is a local writer, Evelyn McGlynn, with her childrens' book 'Freckles The Elf Christmas Magic In Ireland'. Music is from the Colmcille Gospel Choir. 

It starts at 8pm in Cafe Florence, Letterkenny. 

Gerard Beirne workshops on writing process at Carn Lodge, Ramelton, Co. Donegal

This is my first blog post in what seems like a very long time. I'd stopped blogging and writing fiction so that I could concentrate on finishing a doctorate. I can still scarcely believe that I’m through on the other side of that; needless to say, I’m both relieved and grateful to have completed it. My project was about the teaching of writing in higher education academic writing centres. I combined both my professional and personal interests in writing to sustain me through the process.   

With that in mind, I was really pleased to participate in a series of creative writing workshops with Gerard Beirne just days after finishing my dissertation. They were in Carn Lodge, Ramelton, Co. Donegal and were organised by Denise Blake and Maureen Curran. Little did I realise the connections I’d make with Gerard’s suggestions around writing fiction, and particularly with his concentration on writing process. 

Ideas around writing process play a large part in how many academic writing centres teach academic writing to student writers in different disciplines. Gerard Beirne's workshops reminded me of how the process of writing is similar across  many different forms of writing genre and style - including both academic and creative writing. The process approach is based on the premise that professional writers use processes that involve various forms of drafting and re-drafting. In other words, good writing is not penned, or typed, in one mighty draft from the mind of a genius writer; rather, good writing comes from time spent on drafting and re-drafting - from a first attempt through to a series of re-writing tasks.

Gerard explained, over three sessions (on poetry, fiction and publishing), that each drafting should be focused on predetermined tasks designed to improve the writing.  He then outlined some exercises that aid drafting. In the fiction session, he recommended (among other things): interrogating our choice of point of view, including consistency; and also, analysing fiction into constituent scenes to question their purpose and effectiveness. Instead of getting us to practise our writing, he asked us to think through our writing process. He then challenged us to reflect on how effectively we have been re-drafting our work. Do we practise good writing strategies, or do we simply repeat poor practices?  Do we have a rationale for what we re-draft, and do we work effectively at our drafts? The sessions I attended were on fiction and publishing, and they were enlightening, enjoyable and informative.     

What I particularly liked about Gerard’s philosophy was an idea that I share i.e. writing skills can be taught. We may all start at different levels, and we may each reach different levels, or destinations, but we can all practise and improve our writing skills. What that means in terms of writing success probably depends on what we value as success. More importantly, there are conventions, guidelines, processes and ideas, that if shared, and practised, can help to improve our chances of becoming successful writers (whatever that means to us).

I would highly recommend both Gerard  Beirne's approach and his workshops.

It's the first week of December so check out Visual Verse's prompt for the month

I discovered Visual Verse while I was meant to be writing this July. This journal releases a visual prompt on the first of each calendar month. Writers set themselves a challenge to respond in an hour and in 50-500 words. One or two writers provide leading pieces to get the ball rolling and the issue is live. The editors invite you to submit your pieces and publish these throughout the month. There follows a rich and by its nature, imperfect, exploration of the image.
I submitted 'Turning Point'  in July in response to this image by Oscar Keys.

Turning Point

What is the sea’s invitation?

Come see blue, it says, Come and I’ll show you grey.

These changing skies are the wind’s gift,

each passing hour a flickering slideshow.

Seabirds glitter, tilt and soar

are ruckus, tear, uproar

until eyes, ears, heart, soul of me answer:

Step back, they say, slip this blindfold.

Maureen Curran

Is is perfect? No. In an hour you really only have a good draft of a work in progress, not a finished piece. I wonder if my insistence on keeping ruckus was a good idea as a reader may think I spelled raucous incorrectly. Incidentally, I don't like what they did with the layout upon publishing, losing my 8 line, 4 stanza structure. Still, I valued the exercise, and there are occasions when a  good shove in a direction we weren't heading is just what we need.
It's the first week of December, have a look, take an hour out from the seasonal preparations and see where this image from Julien Menier takes you. I might meet you there.

Poem - Am I Right?

Sepia toned, she faces the camera, with a turned down smile:

Challenges me to guess her secret
That my father never told me
Nor showed me her likeness while he was alive.

Her wavy hair nearly covers her left ear;                                                                      But goes only half way down her right                                                                   

Her long neck is emphasised by a blouse 

With a collar hardly above her shoulder

Pulled together with a decorative chord

Knotted in fashionable bow
                                     Above four shiny white buttons
                                     Bisected by a pearl necklace.
                                     She was obviously important to my father:
                                     Stored in a tin box of his memories
                                     Could she be his mother who died when he was twelve?

And with little imagination, and a change of hair,
Despite our different sexes,
I can see my younger self:
Believe she must be my Granny Griffiths.

But, could this woman have been a despatch rider in the war,
Who frightened the shite out of her husband
As a passenger on her motorbike?
Would the wearer of a string of pearls
Have been a worker in a rubber factory?

Her self-assured school ma’am look
Of somebody who might be only thirty,
But has wisdom beyond her years,
Nods like an infant teacher to a child,

                                     And says, “Yes!”

Bath Children's Novel Award

The Bath Children's Novel Award is now open to submissions. The website also has very useful and interesting interviews with past winners, runner's up and shortlisted authors. The closing date is the 20th November and the entry fee is £22.

Tea, Coffee, Chocolate x Haiku

 

Tugged handfuls of mint

Infuse in boiling water

Honey sweet sunshine

Mahogany tones

Laptop logs me in slowly

Oil on wood panel

Marshmallow sticky

Flake disappears in suede swirls

Chalky last mouthful

Time to write

I'm just home from a fabulous two weeks visiting my brothers in Canada with my mum. This was the trip I won last year in the Irish Times Generation Emigration Flying Visit competition. I promised myself over the two weeks I was going to write and write and write. Although I did a lot of reading, I wrote exactly 17 words. On the back of a receipt. This didn't disturb me because the summer still stretches out in front of me and some thinking time is good. Enjoying my brothers' hospitality, inevitably I thought of the good times growing up in our too often mad home and how our wicked sense of humour, penchant for a colourful vocabulary and utter love from and for our mum sustained us then and continues to keep us strong.

So, home, my theme this six months really. I've spent some time away and am returned to it now, rested and recharged. I sat down to write yesterday and read more; the latest Crannog, the latest Spontaneity, a few papers I'd missed when I was away, checked out what submission opportunities are open. Somewhere in the midst of that I typed the 17 words and you know a poem followed. A few drafts later, but still brand new, here it is:

 Antidote 

There was living too

voices rising, sweary banter and food,

endless tables of food, second helpings, second sittings

and laughter, there was laughter,

the good of it rose in us and we carried it like light.

I know it in the bearing now, here

in this late night chat and breaking out in song:

new belief in the fact of survival, in love.

Chasidy, me, Brian, Peter, Aidan, Mum, John in Canmore, Alberta

The Caterpillar Story For Children Prize 2016

The Caterpillar Story For Children Prize 2016
Hi everyone...see link above for details of the Caterpillar Story For Children Prize 2016 to be judged by Mark Lowery ....deadline September 30th...get scribbling!