Irish Writers Centre Workshops

I'm delighted to be back teaching in the Irish Writers Centre this Spring - I love teaching there - I first set foot in the Centre as an inaugural Novel Fair Winner, and ended up being published by Penguin Ireland as a result. That was The Herbalist, and my new book Her Kind (about the Kilkenny witchcraft trial) will also be published by Penguin Random House next April. I am teaching two courses, one runs over a few weeks, and is aimed at beginners, or those of you beginning again. The second reflects my interest in turning fact into fiction, as my two novels were both based on real life trials....   

Six Week Starter Kit
'This course is suitable for those new to writing, or interested in getting back to writing. Fun but focused, the core of this course will be weekly writing exercises. Through these, participants will create, and shape new fictions. These might grow into flash pieces, short stories, monologues, rants or chapters. Each writer will work towards completing their piece over the course of the six weeks. Basic character development, voice, point of view, story and setting will also be discussed.' 
To book - click here 


From Fact to Fiction (One Day)
Do you have a story you always wanted to tell? Something that really happened but you don't know how to handle the material? This workshop will explore how true stories can inspire a work of fiction. Participants will look at character, voice, setting, first draft, research, 'how much truth, how much fiction,' and revision. The course is suitable for both beginners and those who have been writing for a while. All you need is a pen and notebook.
To book - click here

Finally... & A Workshop

Just back to blogging, after a bit of a hiatus, with some bits of news... the final draft of my novel has just been (finally, finally!) printed off -  and its just in time to let me travel to Tipperary and facilitate a First Novel, Second Novel workshop...

Photo by @ lorrainemurphydooley

The title refers to my recent novels - both were inspired by true stories, the first by an Indian Herbalist in the 1930s, and this latest work, by a medieval witchcraft trial. 

In the workshop I'll be reading extracts from both, The Herbalist and Her Kind, and talking about writing fiction inspired by real events - covering research, setting, characters - and that difficult question - how much fact, and how much fiction? Participants will also do a little writing themselves. 

Its a three hour evening workshop, and is open to anyone interested in writing. Organized by The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co Tipperary - it takes place at 7 pm, tomorrow - Thursday 23rd March. 


FROM THE SOURCE ARTS CENTRE ....

1st Book, 2nd BookNiamh Boyce

THU23MAR 2017

TICKETS

€25

TIME

7pm to 10pm

Niamh Boyce is currently working on her second novel. Her first ‘The Herbalist’ (Penguin Ireland) won Newcomer of the Year at the Irish Book Awards 2013 and was long-listed for the IMPAC Award. 'The Herbalist' details the arrival of an enigmatic figure in small-town Ireland in the 1930's and the ramifications of his dealings with the women in that town. This practical workshop will look at the utilisation of local stories as subject matter and how they can be interpreted and developed to tell universal truths. Niamh will also discuss the process of editing - specifically in relation to working on her second novel.

Strictly limited to 10 places

Please book directly through box office 0504 90204. Ring or call to the desk during box office hours. 

Creative Writing Course

This seems like a very interesting course - Jorg Andrees is one of the foremost exponents of the Michael Chekhov Method. Having initially trained in his native Germany as a film director he proceeded to train in the Michael Chekhov Method in New York. Subsequently he tutored and directed successfully worldwide employing the unique features of this most distinctive method. Joerg has taken the Chekhov Technique into many creative fields working with Singers, Musicians, Writers, Dancers and Performers as well as for other visual Artists. 

He will be teaching a week-long creative writing course in Croi Anu,  Moone, Co Kildare from Sunday 9^th –Sat 15^th Oct.  This master tutor in the Michael Chekhov technique, has adapted it for creative writing.  There are a maximum of 14 places on the course. 

To book and for further details email info@croianu.ie or call 0878381933.

North West Words Writing Weekend 2015

North West Words Writing Festival runs in Co Donegal every July. I was thrilled to be invited along to give a workshop as my family is from Donegal (plus its one of the most beautiful places in Ireland.)

My fiction workshop, 'Zooming In' will be held in Carn Lodge, Ramelton at 10am on Sunday July 26th. This should be a good opportunity to get professional feedback on your fiction - whether you're working on a novel or a short story collection. Its a pretty accessible fee - only 30 euro for ms evaluation & the workshop. By the way - please don't think your work has to be perfect -  the point of the workshop is to help and give feedback :)


So, there's just one week left to submitt - as I plan to reading extracts from Monday 6th - Monday 13th of July. I'm really looking forward to reading submissions. You can find out more about booking and submitting HERE

North West Words was established in 2010 and hosts the best of literary and musical talent in its monthly events in Café Blend, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. NWW also organises writing competitions for adults and young writers as well as a Writing Weekend in July. North West Words is a non-profit organisation and is run by a team of writers and enthusiasts.

Croi Anu

Belated Happy New Year! Hope your writing resolutions are going well, if you need a kickstart, here's a date for your creative diaries :)

On Sat 7th of February I'll be facilitating a workshop in Croi Anu, Moone, Co Kildare from 2 - 5pm. Its the only workshop I'll be teaching in the forseeable future (too much of my own writing to get through) so I'm really looking forward to it.

The session is suitable for all kinds of writers, from complete beginners to those already working on novels, or short stories. All you need to bring is a pen and notebook, and a snack to keep you going. Tea and coffee are provided. Places are limited. There are more details on Croi Anu's Website

For anyone with work ready to send out, here's a few links of interest...
A great post from poet Jo Bell's Blog on submitting to literary journals, ...
&
If your looking for ideas on where to submit - there's also Duotrope

Creative Writing Workshop in Moone

I'm facilitating a creative writing workshop in Croi Anu Creative Centre, Moone, Co Kildare on Saturday 8th November. From 2.30 - 6pm. ( 30 euro per person) The workshop is filling up quickly but there are still some places left. The theme for the workshop is renewal, so we'll be rustling up some inspiration to sustain your writing during the winter months. Suitable for anyone writing or interested in writing.You can book by phoning 0851376271 or emailing niamhmboyce(at)eircom(dot)net

24 Hours for Gaza

Ever think that clicking like and share just isn't enough?

Here's a chance to do a bit more, and have fun at the same time. I'm offering two writing workshops in Dublin this coming Sunday to help raise some funds for '24 Hours for Gaza' - there are many other artists, writers and photographers involved - all offering exciting workshops. Both adults and children are very welcome.

It will be a great weekend of art, music, readings, workshops in Stoneybatter Guild,and all for a very good cause. There will be a donation/entrance fee of only €10 per head. All proceeds to help John Cutliffe’s efforts to get supplies/aid to those most in need as a result of the crisis in Gaza.

This will be my last blogpost for a while, I'm entering into my own back to school phase  - with the second draft of a novel to complete by November I need every spare second for my writing.  So off to hermit ville for a while, see you on the other side :)

Creative Writing Workshop

I'm teaching a Creative Writing Workshop this November 

in Croi Anu Creative Centre in Moone, Co Kildare. 

Expect an afternoon full of writing - I'll be focusing on the theme of renewal, renewal of our inspiration, our energy and our delight in writing. The workshop is open to beginners, middlers or old hands...all you need is a notebook and a pen. Croi Anu is a beautiful purpose built creative space so I'm really looking forward to working there. Click this link for directions. And here are the details!

Saturday 8th November : 2.30 - 6pm : Cost 30 Euro

Places Are Limited: To Book - 0851376271

STORY WRITING WORKSHOP

 

 'Niamh Boyce, author of ‘The Herbalist’ will be delivering a workshop to offer support and advice on writing short stories for radio.'

Saturday April 26th - 3pm Celbridge Library- St Patricks Park,Celbridge, Co Kildare

The workshop will cover:

• Beginnings
  
• Writing convincing characters.
• Pacing, tone and voice.
• Cutting the flab from your story
• Writing for the listener, not the reader

 The workshop is free, but booking is advisable

Telephone: 01 6272207 or celbridge@kildarecoco.ie