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Do you write everyday and should you?
Stephen King’s book ‘On Writing‘ is a fabulous no-nonsense practical approach to being a writer and one that anyone serious about writing should own (in my humble opinion). From a previous reading I recalled that King said that he wrote everyday including Christmas Day and his birthday. On re-reading I see that he says that…
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WOW Awards – Words on the Street
On Friday 30th April I attended the inaugural WOW awards in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill. The WOW awards were organised by the Words on the Street Publishers, a publishing house set up in 2006 and run by Tony O’ Dwyer and his business partner Geraldine Burke, both writers themselves. The publishing house, says Tony…
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Carved out satisfaction versus cut throat success
There’s a ‘wealth’ of information out there and particularly on-line about how to become a successful writer, how to write, pitch, blog, market yourself, build up a following, get a publisher, be known. Much of it is excellent advice. However what grates on me is the kind of ‘stop at nothing’ advice where you are…
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Higgs Boson Anthology
What was I doing at 2am last Thursday night? Finishing a story for the wonderful Year Zero writers Higgs Boson Anthology. The anthology was the fabulous concept of Marcella O’ Connor, one of the Year Zero Collective. What resulted was an anthology of extracts, short stories and poetry where the search for the Higgs Boson…
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In person at the Hennessy’s
Back in August last year when I discovered I was to be published in the Sunday Tribune and consequently was shortlisted for the Hennessy XO Literary Awards I couldn’t speak. I was visiting my parents in Kerry and couldn’t get the words out to explain the significance of this news. I may have circled the…
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In love with the short ones
I am five feet tall. Well, alright then, four feet and 11 inches. Officially I should sit in a booster seat when I drive my four children around in the big bellied people carrier that I nearly need a ladder to get into. I saw an eleven year old today who was twice my size.…
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2009 Hennessy XO Literary Awards
The official announcement of the Hennessy XO shortlist has been made! My short story Bog Body was published in the Sunday Tribune last August and I’ve been put forward for the Emerging Fiction Award. The award announcements will be made on April 20th in Trinity College. It’s a thrilling feeling to be involved in this…
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Poetry Against Cancer
A couple of months back a call went out from writer Paul Carroll (@writeranonymous on twitter) for people to contribute a poem for a collection to be sold as a fundraiser for St. Johns Ward at our Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. To read about this venture visit the Poetry against Cancer site. Paul and…
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New Poem – Year of the Dog
Year of the Dog Will you make a place for me at the end of your bed? I will lie Against the shape of long toes in the crook of your limbs waiting guarding the morning against the night holding your dreams in my mouth spilled against the counterpane but you are warm and your…
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International Fish Prize
This year I was honoured and thrilled to be shortlisted for the prestigious Fish prize for my short story ‘All that Thinking.’ To be shortlisted signifies a progression in my skills and confidence as a writer and is a wonderful affirmation that people enjoy my writing and find something worthwhile in it. I will always…
Welcome to my Head above Water blog! I’m Alison, writer, mother and public librarian with a background in Communication Studies and Psychology. I have a particular interest in creative resilience, motivation and how nature and wonder can restore us. In my day job I run book clubs and creative events for children and adults.
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