March 30, 2015
A Positive Review!
I was delighted to open up my copy of the March edition of the INTO magazine InTouch and to read a positive review of Sweaters and Small Stuff.
Click on the link below to have a read:
The last paragraph of the review challenges me to develop one or more of the stories into a novel. I wonder....
I have been finding it difficult to get my head down and to get writing anything substantial since the launch in December. Maybe that is the way to go. I might give it a go over the next week or two during the glorious school holidays, especially if this bad weather keeps up. I have no excuse.
March 18, 2015
Maree, Oranmore Cove Book Club
I was delighted to hop into the car and head west to Galway straight after school last Friday. I was invited to do a reading and a question and answer session for a book club with a bunch of lovely ladies living in and around Maree, outside of Oranmore.
I decided to read "30 Minute Meals" as it is a short enough story and it seems to be well-received, judging from word of mouth feedback. After the Q & A session, I finished up by reading the story "Sweaters and Small Stuff" that lends its name to the title of the collection as it was requested by one of the group who had read it in the run-up to our evening together.
The Q & A session was an eye-opener for me, if for nobody else. I had to really think before I answered questions from the group like what makes me want to write, how did I start, how do I get my inspiration, why did I use certain words/language to convey ideas and other probing questions. I hope I gave any prospective readers and perhaps some budding writers answers that they found interesting. As this was the firstt time I did anything like this, I was interested in my own answers!
A huge thanks to my sister Aileen for hosting the evening in her lovely home in Sycamore Cove and for providing some lovely food (and beverages). Sheila facilitated the evening in Hilary's absence. (So sorry you were detained elsewhere, Hilary, we must catch up again). Thanks to all the ladies who attended and were kind enough to buy copies of the book. Enjoy the read.
I can't believe we didn't take a photo of the night. It's a shame. Sheila said the group are reading "Academy Street" by Mary Costello for their next meeting. I really enjoyed reading it over the Christmas. Mary well deserved all of the plaudits and awards and I'm sure the ladies in Maree will be giving it a thumbs up at their next meeting in the Cove.
March 10, 2015
Another First
Our 2nd classes in school visited the beautiful new Ballyfermot Library last week for World Book Day. What an amazing space it is. I was so impressed by Ballyroan Library until I saw Ballyfermot. Dublin City Council have definitely got this one right. It was worth the long wait. It makes me wish that I was a child again and could have an excuse to lie on one of the beanbags and chill there with a good book for the day. Úna and Vincent and the other librarians are so dedicated and enthusiastic and so welcoming of our children and young people and they organise some great events for our local schools.
As the children were leaving the library, one of them spotted my book on one of the shelves. Tina was good enough to pose with it and send me the photo. It is still quite daunting to think that my book is 'out there' for anyone to pick up and read.
I was bombarded with questions the next time I went into one of the classes, the most memorable asking how did I get my face on to the back cover of the book. They wanted to know if I would read them one of my stories. I had to explain that they would have to wait a few years as some of the words were too difficult. That's my excuse anyhow....
