I’m back in Norwich following a stint on Inis Oirr as artist-in-residence, which has (I think) birthed a one man play. It was a significant month spent in a dramatic two mile long theatre edged with thrashing waves, and crossed with stone walls, fields created from seaweed and topped with goats – lots of wild goats. During my time there I learned to felt, started up a writing group with some local scribes – which is continuing on – and thought and walked a lot and came to some decisions about my future and where my writing is going.
I had a few bits of bad news while I was out on the island, some personal stuff that unsettled me, and also I learned that man a grew up with was tragically drowned whilst fishing off the Waterford coast. These incidents coloured my thought processes and made me dwell on some topics that I might otherwise have avoided. And I’m glad I let myself go there. I believe I’ve created good art.
I returned to pick up an award. It hasn’t been officially announced yet,, so more on that later. And my play ‘Cow’ is going into the studio next week so I’m pretty focused on that at the moment. One of my parting gifts from the kind people of Inis Oirr was a big 2013 wall chart (in Irish) which I’m now filling up. 2013 looks like it is going to be a year of change. A year of travel and a year of moving forward. Right now, I’m ready for action and am lining all my plans up. Life is too short, make the best of it, surround yourself with good people and do good things.
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About suehealy
I am a native of Waterford, Ireland and a journalist and editor since 1992. I am also an alumna of the UEA’s MA in Creative Writing. Since graduating in 2009, my short stories and drama have won the Molly Keane Memorial Award, the HISSAC Prize, the Sussex Playwrights’ Prize, the Meridian Prize, the Waterford-Annaghmakerrig Award and the Ted O’Regan Arts Award. I have also been short-listed for numerous other prizes including the Fish Short Story Competition and the BBC International Playwriting Award. I produced my own Broadcasting Authority of Ireland funded radio drama 'Cow', which was directed by Aosdana member Jim Nolan and broadcast on KCLR 96fm, April , 2013. My stageplay, 'Shellakybooky' was one of five plays selected for performance for the Contemporary European Drama Review at UEA, Norwich, April 13th, 2013. I playedn'Mar' in this production. To date, my prose has been anthologized /published in seven respected literary publications across the UK, Ireland, Hungary and Australia. I was artist-in-residence on Inis Oirr throughout January 2013 and am a 2013 Escalator Literature Artist. I currently teach creative writing to offenders, tutor online and run a creative writing consultation service. Additionally, I am an Associate member of the U.K.'s Institute for Learning, the further education professional body and am a qualified TEFL teacher. I am currently working on a novel and a screenplay.
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View all posts by suehealy
January 28th, 2013 at 12:00
Enjoy your year of change. Everyone in Tramore and Dunmore East was saddened to hear of the fishing tragedy, though glad that one man was able to swim to shore.
January 28th, 2013 at 13:11
Such a good way to live.
January 28th, 2013 at 16:29
Congratulations on fine work. They tell me it comes from adversity. Hope not. Bettye Leartisteboots.wordpress.com
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January 28th, 2013 at 19:40
Sorry to hear about the troubling personal stuff, but hopefully your spirits will be buoyed by your upcoming award, and also by the wild goats:)
January 28th, 2013 at 21:13
So sorry to hear about your friend.
January 30th, 2013 at 03:36
Lovely post. So sorry for your loss.