I have to say, I highly recommend this blogging lark. I love writing about beautyfull things, and I’ve found that a post or two a day keeps the writer’s block away. I’ve been working steadily on B&B!, revising two novels {one really, really old one, like, nine years old, so don’t get in a swivet} and what I like to call my ‘horsey-divorcey’ memoire.

This is not a humble-brag: all these projects have taken years to get down on paper, but it’s worth it in the end, because I get a buzz out of doing what I tell myself I’ll do.

So I’m taking a moment out of beauty-time to inform dear readers in Ireland that I and two colleagues are giving a one-day intensive writing workshop in Dun Laoghaire.

Pages I have covered with words

If you have been telling yourself for years that you want to write, then this workshop is a great kickstart. We’ll be writing throughout the day — okay, for almost the entire day. Scared? Don’t be: there will be tea breaks. And you can take lunch, too.

We’ll teach you exercises that wake up the writer within and get him or her to get the words out and down and flowing. We also represent the expertise of a number of different writing disciplines, so if you want to know about playwrighting, screenwriting, novel-writing, blogging, criticism, or journalism, we can answer your questions.

The full brief is below; message me in the comments to book, and for location details.

The Write Way
One-Day Intensive Creative Writing Workshop
Susan Conley, with Ciara O Dowd and JJ Harrington

Always wanted to write but don’t know how to start?
Have you started but stalled?
Do you write in fits and starts but find it hard to finish anything?

Writing is a craft, and as with any craft, there are tools at your disposal.

It is possible to learn how to break through writing blocks and to create good work habits.

In The Write Way, you will:
>Learn how to override your censor — the voice in your head that says ‘this idea is terrible, no one would speak like that, who do you think you are, this is a waste of time’ — and get your ideas flowing.
>Experiment with a variety of forms: Fancy yourself a screenwriter, playwright, novelist, blogger? Now you can discover what mode suits you best.
>Become familiar with tools that will serve you as a creative writer, for years to come.

Most of all, you will write!

Playwright Ciara O’Dowd, screenwriter JJ Harrington and novelist Susan Conley, through a series of guided writing exercises, will help you learn how to use tools and techniques that inspire and excite.

If you have an idea you’d like to develop, you will do so.
If you don’t have an idea, you’ll get one — if not more than one!
If you just want to learn how to express yourself more fluidly, you will.

Sunday, 27 May
10am — 5.30pm
€125
Bring an A4 writing pad or notebook, and a ‘fast writing’ pen — a liquid ink, roller ball, like a Pilot pen.