Back at the MAC

Great morning yesterday at the Writers' Room in the MAC- with Fiona, Rhonda, Jo and Mairi -  and we actually did some writing (in between the coffees!).

Yummy cinnamon Danish swirls, lattes, sunshine streaming in through the windows as we wrote.

Research is underway for a writing retreat for us later in the year.  Very exciting!

Writers at the MAC

This morning Pat, Fionnuala, Mairi, Rhonda, Jo & I met up at the Canteen at the MAC and enjoyed lovely coffee and pastries while we shared our stories. Well, they weren't actual 'stories', rather what we've all been up to since we last met up -  and while we haven't done much writing, we still have been busy.
Afterwards we had a look at the 'Northern Ireland - 30 years of photography exhibition'. Not exactly stunning views of the Mournes or the causeway coast - some stark, gruesome photos. The camera never lies.
Then we made a wonderful discovery! - the Writers' Room at the MAC! Its a space set aside for writers. We made a few inquiries and discovered its free to use, so guess where we'll be going!

Creative Writing workshop at the MAC with Lucy Caldwell

I spent yesterday afternoon with Fionnuala at Lucy Caldwell's creative writing workshop last the MAC in Belfast. Very encouraging and motivating. Some motivational quotes I liked were Calvin Coolidge's 'Nothing can take the place of persistence' and Samuel Beckett's 'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.'
We did some writing exercises as well as thinking about where we get writing ideas, tense, point of view, finding your voice.
Outside in St. Anne's Square the Festival of Fools was getting underway, to the sound of brass bands playing. As we were contemplating why we need stories, 'Somewhere over the rainbow' wafted in the windows.
All in all an inspiring, motivating workshop. Now to get back to my writing......

Meeting fellow writers

Lovely morning at Maryville House tearoom with Fionnuala and Rhonda. We talked a lot, ate delicious fruity scones and drank tea and coffee from delicately painted vintage china cups! While I waited for the girls to arrive I took out my notebook and pen, sipped my coffee, soaked up the atmosphere and scribbled down a few words. I felt like I was a writer!

World Book Day

What better way
To spend World Book Day
Than having my way
On this wonderful day?

Won't you take a look?
Go to your favorite nook,
Get lost in your book,
Today all else forsook.

Or take out your favorite pen,
Smooth the page and then,
Wait and count to ten
Say a prayer, Amen.

Great intentions
Great expectations
Great beginnings
Great endings

Off now to indulge in Writers News, April edition and treat myself to some quality time with Alexander McCall Smith!

Happy World Book Day!

Coney Writers at Loughshore Park

Lovely to see everyone again on Saturday as Coney Writers continue their tour. We walked down to Loughshore Park and spent about 30 minutes observing and writing and then had a coffee in the cafe and listened to each others writing. Planning to meet again next month for some people watching - great for character and dialogue development.

Bliss

The March edition of Writers News, a mug of hot chocolate and a box of Marks and Spencer's cherry liqueurs......bliss!