A bit of R and R

I do love Christmas even if there's not quite the same magic I remember as a child as we waited for Santa to arrive. There's still lots of special moments to celebrate. After a very busy run up to Christmas this year prepping cards, presents and food it's been lovely to enjoy some time off and relax and recharge. 

Amidst the hectic festive preparations there were calming Christmas carols, coffees and catch-ups,  delicious dinners and theatre treats.

But these last few days there's been more time to catch up with friends and family, play board games, knit, crochet and have movie nights.

There's also been time for some festive reading. It’s been a treat to dip into this delight of a book when storms have been raging outside.

I've been very fortunate to receive some gorgeous Christmas gifts from family and friends this season. Together, I've a writers pack for 2024 - so there's no excuse now for not writing in 2024.

If Carlsberg did writing groups....

Yesterday was a dull dreich December day. Chilled to the bone, we drove through freezing fog to meet up in Coney for the final time this year. Our December meet up is always very special and signals the start of seasonal festivities.

We congregated over coffee and home made shortbread and festive cranberry and orange muffins to catch up on news. 

And while other parts of the country were freezing, we enjoyed blue skies and sunshine as we did a festive writing exercise. As we got ready to eat we were treated to a poignant piano solo of 'A Fairytale of New York'.

This was followed by what was described by one of our group as 'the best Christmas Dinner of the season'. The table we usually gather round to write had been transformed and was soon groaning from the weight of delicious food everyone had brought to share.

I feel very blessed to be part of this special writing group. 

Not only are the writers talented, supportive and encouraging, they are all good fun to be with and we leave Coney the richer for having spent time together. Here's to another great year at Coney.

Leid Week

This last week has been Leid Week - Ulster Scots language Week. This year there have been a variety of events on offer both in person across the province and online. In fact there were so many events happening that sometimes I had to make a difficult decision as to which one to attend. This year I had planned to take part in a couple of events. The first, organised by Alan Millar, took place in Belfast's Linenhall library.

'Ayont the Hamely Tongue' brought together a group of Ulster Scots writers sharing their work. The rest of the group had taken part in a reading in Belfast during the summer. I hadn't been able to join them as it coincided with my writing group's writing retreat, so it was lovely to be invited to take part in this event.

Angeline King, Robert Campbell, Anne McMaster, Alan Millar and I each shared some of our work with a welcoming, supportive audience. Unfortunately, one of the group Ronnie McIhatton wasn't able to join us. Thanks to Patsy Horton and her team for making us all feel so welcome. You can watch the event here:  https://youtu.be/33S6rbIXFPw?si

The following evening I attended the launch of 'Yarns' in Ballymena. This third anthology produced by the Ulster Scots Community Network includes work from a range of writers.  It was lovely to meet some of them at the Mayor's parlour as we chatted over tea and traybakes.  It was also lovely to reconnect with some people I hadn't seen for a very long time, including one of my university lecturers.

I was delighted to have a poem 'Bak Then' included in the anthology and enjoyed hearing some of the writers sharing their work. I'm looking forward to reading the anthology. 

The next day I was back at the Linenhall for the Ulster Scots writing competition Awards ceremony. It was great to hear that this year even more entries had been received, leading to the judges highly commending a number of entries. Congratulations to Jen Herron runner up in the poetry category and William Dickey runner up in the prose category. When Alan Millar and I had taken part in readings on the Linenhall stage a couple of days previously we didn't know we'd both be back on the same stage so soon reading from our work. Congratulations to Alan who won the poetry category with 'Rabin'. I was delighted to hear I'd won the prose category with my story 'Sweet Eneuch Wioot Shuggar'.

I wrote this story during my writing group's writing retreat (when some of my fellow Ulster Scots writers were taking part in a poetry reading). This success certainly confirms for me the importance of having space and time to write. You can watch the awards event here: https://youtu.be/66vPJXpWVsE?si=dm_tml3CLSx77Ddb

From the number of events that took place during Leid Week and the interest they generated it is evident that Ulster Scots writing is experiencing a new golden age. It is very exciting to be part of this Ulster Scots writing renaissance.

Recharging at Coney

Our writing group were back down at Coney Island yesterday. It seems like ages since we've been there and a long time since we've had a good catch up. Despite all the heavy rainfall there's been in the area in the last few weeks, our journey there was very pleasant and it almost felt like a summer's day when we arrived to the sound of the tide lapping, the sun shining and brave souls taking a dip. By the time we were leaving the tide had gone out.

We spent a very pleasant morning catching up on news, drinking coffee and eating home made shortbread and apple and cinnamon muffins. Sitting on comfortable sofas in the morning sunshine with stunning sea views, we made some forward plans.

We did do some writing exercises, really stretching the grey matter. But yesterday it seemed more important to listen to what everyone else has been doing, the challenges we face and how we might manage them. Sometimes it's good to have time to talk and recharge our batteries. We're very lucky in our writing group to have people who are there to listen to us. 

Bookshop Day

 Yesterday on #Bookshop Day I made a trip to my local bookshop.

I could spend hours browsing the shelves in The Secret Bookshelf, but due to a busy day I had to limit myself. As well as catching up for a chat, advice was sought on a book choice from the very knowledgeable bookstore owners Jo and Chris. I left with two lovely books - one a gift and one a treat to myself on the run up to Christmas.

And because it was Bookshop Day, I also left with a lovely goodie bag. I love the cheery design on the tote bag by Irish writer and illustrator Ashwin Chacko for #IrishBookWeek.

And the contents of my goodie bag are amazing!  - pencil, stickers, bookmark, three books, literary seeds, Christmas catalogue. I was also one of the very lucky people to receive a Secret Bookshelf groat.

Could it have been a better morning? With a wool shop next door, the answer is definitely No!!

Rascals, Radicals and Reformers

Our writing group met up again this morning, but it was quite a different meeting than usual. We're very fortunate that our group, apart from writing, have many varied talents.  One of our group is a trained tour guide and today we were treated to a personal tour of Old Belfast called 'Rascals, Radicals and Reformers'. 

What a lovely morning we had, spent in good company learning about parts of history we'd never been taught at school - 

and parts of history that should be taught in school. We saw historic buildings that are treasured and preserved and many that should be treasured and preserved given their historical significance.

We were entertained on a relaxed and informative tour. I learned so much and saw parts of Belfast that were new to me, despite it being my home city. We heard about and saw some of old Belfast's street names and work being done to preserve old entries.

Being a chapter of writers, a stop at Writers Square for encouragement and inspiration had to be part of the tour.

But there was no shortage of that on our tour with many hidden spots revealing inspiring lines and reminders of our wee part of the world's rich literary history.

This city has seen the worst of days, some in my lifetime, and yet it bounces back, resilient.  We should be proud of it's rich heritage filled with rascals, radicals and reformers in every century.

Poetry prompt

I was delighted to be asked to contribute to a 'People's Poem' by the SWRI branch where my dear late aunt had spent many happy hours. She had been secretary and member for many years and frequently told me about the craft challenges she was taking part in (and often winning). I know she would have enjoyed taking part in creating the branch's People's Poem. It was therefore an honour to be asked to take part.

The branch had been inspired by a recent visit and talk from local poet and Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie. My aunt had introduced me to Kathleen Jamie's writing many years ago when she bought me a copy of one of her poetry books. 

Given the topical theme of 'autumn', I sat down to write a couple of lines which I could contribute. Therein lay the challenge. As I started to write it was difficult to contain my thoughts and to only use two lines. Before I knew it I had written a short poem. But the initial lines I'd thought of were extracted and sent off for the People's Poem. 

I'd love to have been with the ladies to hear them share this poem when they met on the evening of #NationalPoetry Day. While they were meeting, I sat at home a couple of hundred miles away and read today's poem from 'A Poem for Every Day of the Year' with my niece. Coincidentally, it had the same theme.

And the other poem found its way on to The Dirigible Balloon's website just in time for their #NationalPoetryDay flight.

https://dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Special-Season

Isn't it amazing where a few words can take you?

Reimagining

On a beautiful sunny day, it was hard to imagine what eight women in 1711 had to endure in Carrickfergus court. Not far from the current town hall the drama took place.

Yesterday, along with two writing pals, I attended a writing workshop as part of a fantastic new exhibition in Carrickfergus museum -  'Reimagining the Islandmagee Witches'.

Along with artefacts from the era are a virtual reality experience,  animation, graphic novel and video game.

It was good to reconnect with some writers and researchers I'd met before at previous creative writing workshops I'd attended in the museum and also to meet new writers and those who have researched and curated the exhibition.

Led by playwright Georgia Rhoades we spent most of the day focusing on our own stories and thinking  'what might have been....'  In advance of the workshop we had been asked to think about who we would write about. I had decedided to revisit a story I started to work on a few years ago based on one of my ancestors. Georgia introduced us to some tips and techniques to help us in the process. We had time to explore our characters, their stories and their problems and to write.

 I left Carrickfergus after a very enjoyable day, inspired to go back to my story again.

New school term

The start of September and the beginning of a new school year has been accompanied,  not for the first time, by the return of glorious sunshine.  We were back at Coney yesterday to start a new term of writing. After our summer retreat last month, we came back energised and enthused. While we may not have acquired new jotters and pens for the start of the new term, that didn't stop us.

I know I've got back to writing since the retreat and now we're into a new school term I'm excited about some writing projects I'll be working on over this term.

Over coffee, accompanied by delicious home made chocolate brownies and shortbread we caught up on news since our writing retreat and then did a couple of writing exercises to stretch those creative muscles. It would have been a perfect morning for yoga on the beach, but we chose to flex our creative muscles instead.

Fuelled by autumnal blackberry and ginger muffins we worked hard. I'm not sure if it was the ginger in the muffins, the warm September sunshine or the energy that is created when we gather, but I came away from Coney excited to be back writing.

A Dublin day

I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Museum of Literature Ireland while down in Dublin for the day. Sandwiched between some retail therapy, it was an oasis of calm away from a busy Grafton Street thronging with tourists. 

The displays have been so cleverly curated that I came away inspired and encouraged.

Seeing James Joyce's drafts with countless lines scored out reminded me of the need to keep editing and made me thankful that modern technology can make this a bit less labour intensive.

The inspiring quotes peppered throughout gave me encouragement and food for thought

And, like many before me, I was inspired to add a few lines to the writing wall.

While it was inspiring to look at the displays featuring the great and the good I'd studied at school and university like Shaw and Yeats,

For me what was more inspiring was to see my contemporaries featured in displays - including my writing pal from old, Wendy Erskine and Peadar O Guilin who I met last week at the YA Showcase event in Carrickfergus.

If ever there was a time to be inspired to write, it is now.

Of course there was the obligatory stop at the Museum cafe and shop for a delicious lunch (writers need writing fuel!), and a purchase was made featuring one of my favourite Irish writers.

Around twenty years ago I had the pleasure of hearing Maeve speak in Belfast and meeting her at an event related to her book 'Aches and Pains'. She was as mesmerising a speaker as she was a writer, so it seemed fitting that the souvenir postcard purchase was of her. And I know the pen will be used in future writing projects.

I'd travelled to Dublin armed with a notebook and pen, so on the way home on the train I noted down some memorable moments from the day. Travelling always provides great insights - the conversations, characters, places, situations and humour, and there were plenty of all of these that day.

Quite a week

It's been an exciting and busy week. Despite being double-booked last weekend and unable to attend the Ulster Scots poetry event in Belfast, I still got a mention in the write up in the Ballymoney Chronicle  - thanks to Alan Millar.

Plans for future events are unfolding and I'm looking forward to being involved in them.

During the week I attended Shirley McMillan's book launch at No Alibis in Belfast. Afterwards it was lovely to chat with the ladies from Little Island publishers and catch up with writing pals over dinner.

Yesterday was a fantastic day at The Secret Bookshelf in Carrickfergus. I'm delighted that through SCBWI Ireland we were able to support a Young Adult writer showcase event.

Local YA writers Sue Divin, Shirley McMillan and Jenny Ireland took part in an inspiring panel discussion. It was great to see so many readers, writers and libraraians in the audience. 

I spoke about how belonging to a writing group can benefit your writing career and shared information about how SCBWI helps develop supportive writing communities. This was very much in evidence yesterday with so much interest and support at the event. It was lovely to make connections with so many people - several of whom had made very long journeys to be there.

Afterwards a conversation with Jo Zebedee, author and co-owner of The Secret Bookshelf, and YA writer Peadar Ó Guilín exploring darker themes concluded the day.

There were book signings and author readings as well as goodie bags.  So of course this week I've added to my TBR pile ( it is impossible to leave a bookshop empty handed!). I finished reading Jenny's fantastic book 'The First Move' a few weeks ago. I've just started Shirley's new book 'Grapefruit Moon' and next on the reading list will be Sue's most recent book, 'Truth be Told'. The local writing scene is buzzing and it's an exciting and inspiring time for writers to be part of this vibrant community.