Writing Round Up

During the week I managed to get along to a writing workshop in Antrim library led by local crime writer James Murphy. It was good to hear him talk about his writing journey and to pick up some helpful tips.

Later in the week I hosted our SCBWI Ireland meeting when children's writers and artists from across Ireland got together for some creative time and space. We all took some time to either work on something we'd already started or to create something new from prompts. It was good to catch up on news and then see what had been created during our time together. 

Yesterday I managed to get down to the Secret Bookshelf for a browse and of course didn't come away empty handed! Last weekend at their Book Festival, a few titles were tempting me from the bookshelves so I went back to rescue them. This afternoon I've been enjoying the good weather catching up on some reading in the garden.

As we approach the mid year point I've been reviewing my trusty submissions spreadsheet. I'm stuck in the query trenches with a MG novel, and some days it doesn't feel like I'm making any progress. But aside from that piece of work, I've had nine poetry acceptances so far this year, with poems due to be published in a number of anthologies soon. Some of these poems for children have been published online in The Dirigible Balloon https://dirigibleballoon.org/writer/mornasullivan

It's a wonderful poetry resource for children and it's great to see some poems by my writing pal, Fionnuala now published here too. This encouragement is what keeps me going while I'm stuck in the query trenches. I suspect I may be there a while.....

Midsummer Mingling

It's not just the iced lattes I've been consuming in the recent hot weather that has me buzzing.

It's been a very warm midsummer weekend, filled with exciting meet ups with writers, book festival activities and reading.

Yesterday at our SCBWI meet-up in Belfast we welcomed some new faces round the table. We celebrated with Carnegie shortlisted writer Kelly McCaughrain and welcomed NY Times best selling children's writer Ann Paul who joined us during her vacation.

Being with and talking to other writers always re-energises me to keep persevering with projects. It was good to hear what others are working on, chat together and make supportive connections.

Later I caught up on some reading in the garden including making plans for using this year's bumper blackcurrant crop.

This afternoon I was down at my favourite bookshop, The Secret Bookshelf's, 'Not So Secret Book Festival'. 

The Courtyard had been decorated by yarn bombers! As well as going to a panel discussion with David Hume, Katherine Mezzacappa and Malachi O'Doherty on researching and writing history, I went along to hear an old pal talking about her new book.

It was great to hear Wendy talking about her debut novel and listen to her reading excerpts from it. I'll not say how long ago it was I first heard Wendy reading one of her stories, but I know she's always been a gifted writer and entertaining storyteller.

And it was great to mingle with other writers  - including writing pal Jenny Ireland who took this pic. Well done to Jo and Chris for running this book festival. I'm sorry I couldn't get to more of the events, but already I'm looking forward to the next one.

Books and Nooks

I'm just back from a lovely few days away in Scotland. New favourite coffee haunts were discovered, while catching up with family and friends. I was quite taken with 'The Nook' in Abernethy along with the village's 'Book Nook' further down the street.

In nearby Perth I visited the museum's Macbeth exhibition. On until the end of August, the well-curated exhibits, including costumes from film productions, brought back memories of studying the Scottish play at school.

A day trip to Edinburgh included visits to the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery (both with excellent cafés and gift shops). It was good to see so many Scottish writers - past and present -  honoured in exhibits at both venues.

And I even managed to fit in some time to write when I was away. My garden at home isn't big enough to accommodate a writing shed, so I made good use of the summer house in the orchard of the house where my mother was born.

I couldn't imagine a more perfect hideaway for catching up on reading and writing.

Buzzing about Books

It's been great to get to some events at the Belfast Book Festival this year. Aside from attending workshops or hearing authors talk about their work, it's been lovely to sit in the cafe at The Crescent Arts Centre sipping coffee and mingling with other writers at various stages of their careers  - some recognisable and revered, others just starting their creative journey. 

The events have been a welcome break from wading through the query trenches with agents and publishers. 

Today's event was an inspiring short story revision and editing workshop with Thomas Morris. It's given me food for thought for some of my stories.

At the weekend, it was great to hear local children's writer and illustrator Oliver Jeffers talk about his books, his inspiration and draw along with the audience. He kept everyone entertained from the youngest to the oldest with his humour.

It's been good to learn, to be entertained and to celebrate the writing community. I've met new people in the writing community, connected in person with writers I've become acacquainted with at online events and reconnected with writers I haven't seen for a while. As always, I've left these events inspired and buzzing about books.