Coming back to Writing

After a bit of a hiatus due to life events, this week I've been enthused with writing again. Being in the company of other writers, receiving good news, getting back to the theatre and engaging with publishers have all helped.

Last weekend I met up with our SCBWI Ireland Belfast social group. Over coffee we chatted and shared tips and our experiences of submitting our work to publishers and collectively enthused each other.

During the week I attended a couple of performances as part of the Ulster Drama Festival. The standard of acting was extremely high in The Actress by Peter Quilter performed by Bart Players. We were moved and entertained.

And I received unexpected good news during the week from Jonathan Humble, editor of The Dirigible Balloon. I've had a few of my children's poems published on this website, so I was excited to open an email telling me one of these poems has been selected to be included in a forthcoming anthology to be published later this year.

https://dirigibleballoon.org/poem/Exciting-News-From-The-Balloon

I'm honoured that my poem 'Calendar Countdown' will feature alongside the work of other children’s poets, including Michael Rosen and Philip Ardagh. Having met Michael a few years ago at a poetry event, I'm still amazed that my words will be printed in a publication alongside his work. And the best news is that profit from sales of the anthology (out at the end of 2024) will be donated to Juvenile Arthritis Research (UK charity no 1091620).

Last night I facilitated our SCBWI Ireland zoom meeting with Ivan O'Brien from the O'Brien Press. Our members heard Ivan willingly and openly share his experience and tips on Getting Published. It was fun, enlightening and inspiring. I'm delighted that several of our members are now going to sumbit their work as a result of our engagement with Ivan. Now, to dust off that manuscript.....

Cupcakes and Chums

I caught up with a few writing chums last night at the book launch of one of our mutual friend's new YA novel. Jenny Ireland's second novel 'The Boy Next Door' was published earlier in the week by Penguin.  We gathered last night at The Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast to celebrate Jenny's achievement.

Jenny spoke eloquently about her illness and the inspiration behind this novel before reading from it. Later we tucked into delicious cupcakes  - some with a mini book cover made of icing and others that reflected the gorgeous colours in the book cover design. They tasted even better than they looked!

Having got my copy of the novel from The Secret Bookshelf who were at the launch, I queued to get it signed with so many others at the packed event.

Events like this encourage and inspire other writers. They remind me why I enjoy writing and also that writers are among the best people about. Thanks to Marianne McShane for posting this fun photo on Children's Books Belfast instagram account - we really had the best time.

Bookish birthday celebrations

Over the last few weeks I've been at a couple of bookish birthday celebrations  - one for a book and one for a bookshop.

Earlier this month the launch of Kelly McCaughrain's Little Bang was so well attended the venue had to be changed to accommodate everyone. The Cube at the Crescent Arts Centre was packed as everyone gathered to celebrate the launch of Kelly's second YA novel. Kelly doesn't shy away from difficult topics that other writers might not be brave enough or capable of tackling so deftly. 

Astronomical sweetie-filled goody bags went down well on the night. As I made my way through Little Bang I found they also double up as a bookmark. 

Michael's rendition of Sid's song from the book also went down well, really bringing the book and Kelly's characters to life. I'd recommend you check the book out for yourself.

Last weekend I popped down to my local bookshop, The Secret Bookshelf, to join in their 4th birthday celebrations.

I've never been to a bookshop's birthday party before, nor had I written a birthday card to a bookshop, but there's a first time for anything.

The last four years have been difficult for everyone and especially for small businesses. Due to hard work and lots of local support and loyal customers Jo and Chris, the very helpful and knowledgeable bookshop owners have moved to bigger premises during this time. They are hugely supportive to local writers and have built up a thriving bookish community as was evidenced by the number of people who called in to wish them 'many happy returns'.

Here's to many more bookish celebrations. 

Back to routines

Back to Coney we went yesterday. After the Christmas break it was good to get back into a routine again. A crisp, frosty morning turned into a glorious day at Coney with even some warmth in the sun. 

There was lots to catch up on and we eased ourselves back into writing as we heard what everyone has been working on (or not - with many of us taking a much needed rest over the holidays). Over coffee and chocanana muffins we listened and talked.

And then we got down to some writing. After the Christmas break it was hard to get started back to writing. It's easy to come up with so many reasons to procrastinate but being back at Coney and doing some writing exercises has broken that cycle. 

I haven't made any 'new year' writing resolutions this year, but I have some projects I'm planning to work on. In the meantime here's a recent knitting project I finished over the holidays. Happy Moo Year!