IT ARTICLE ABOUT FORM

Sinéad Gleeson's new Irish Times series on writing has its second outing today. I am there, along with Ron Rash and Deborah Levy (swoon!) talking about form and why writers should try everything to see what fits. Here.

Feeling The Novel Fear

Image from Hist Novel Soc.

I had a serious novel-wobble a couple of weeks ago. I made the mistake of reading the NIP, all seventy or so pages. And it was awful. And I moaned to anyone who would listen - writer friends, regular friends, my sister, my husband - about how awful it was. Why had I wasted five months on it already? Wasn't I better suited to short stories anyway? What on earth possessed me to write hist fic after my last (disastrous) attempt at a historical novel? I decided it was not worth continuing.

I was convinced I did not want to go on despite the fact that I was quite enjoying watching the story develop. And I was definitely enjoying the research into things as diverse as breastfeeding in the nineteenth century; when STOP signs for traffic came in (1915, so too late for my purposes), and how to clean brasses before Brasso (with rum, apparently).

Even though I hated what I had read of the NIP, I could see that the writing improved as it went along. And, it occurred to me, that if it improved maybe it would keep on improving. I comforted myself with the thought that the more I write the more I understand my characters. And, sure, I can always go back and edit the start with the knowledge gained as I write forward.

And I remembered a conversation with novelist Claire Kilroy from a few months ago, when I had just begun the novel.
Me: 'I'm at The Fear stage.'
Claire: 'Is there any other stage in novel writing?'

So I decided to feel the fear. I stopped researching so much (I am convinced that is what killed the last hist fic novel I wrote) and I let myself just write. Every day I sat at my desk and wrote a little. And I found, by doing it, that I still wanted to write this book that is so scary and unwieldy and possibly awful. I love my two female lead characters too much to just leave them dangling in some horrible limbo. And anyway, I reckon I will learn more by pushing on and finishing the book, than by running away.

So, on I go. With lots of fear and trepidation. And a little sliver of hope.

SUMMERFEST - a reminder from Órfhlaith Ní Chonaill

Beautiful Strandhill

Dear Writers,

Just a reminder to you all that Strandhill Summerfest is happening this weekend. Poets, Ted and Annie Deppie, and writer and broadcaster, Joe Kearney, will be joining me to facilitate an inspirational weekend of writing.

For further details see here. There are still places available and the cost is €125.  I would love to see you there if you can join us.

Best wishes,                                                        Órfhlaith

I am so excited to be going back to Strandhill Summerfest after a four year hiatus. I can't wait to wander by the sea, scoff cake in Shells Seaside Café, meet new folk, and be inspired by the Summerfest tutors. Roll on Friday!

GUEST BLOG @ STINGING FLY

I am the guest blogger at The Stinging Fly today, Ireland's best literary magazine. (Well, it is!)  My guest post examines the business of being a multiple genre writer, something that is pointed out to me a lot though it is not something I actively think about as a writer. N'anyway, the post is here.