Dreamer
A quick post to thank all of you who have signed up for the ‘write an novel in 6 months’ challenge. I’m looking forward to getting up at the crack of dawn (well, sort of) on Saturday to get my first 500 words down. We can do it (ooo, feel a slogan coming on…)
Saturday will be a day for firsts for me. I’m launching my creative writing workshop in Waterford, Ireland at Grayfriar’s Art Centre in the city on October 1st. The course, which I’ve authored myself, provides novice writers with the basic tools of the creative writing craft. It’s designed to entail two face-to-face workshops taking place on the first and last Saturday of a given month.
The first Saturday will focus on: finding inspiration, use of language, developing character, theme and structure. The ensuing four weeks will see the students work on a project of their choice with online support from me. The final face-to-face workshop, on the last Saturday in the month, will focus on editing, submitting and will finish with a peer workshop – after which I’ll give a professional critique and advice on how to bring the piece forward.
I’m planning to run a further workshops in Waterford at the end of the year and in Galway in the new year. If all goes well, and I’m confident it will (well, nerves aside) I am hoping to ‘tour’ the workshop outside Ireland, taking it to Budapest, Nice and London in 2012.
It’s an ambitious plan but I can do it (there’s that slogan again). And we’ve got to dream – as writers, it’s part of the job description.
Therefore, I hope my fellow six-monthers will understand if I don’t post about the the first 500 words until Monday – as I have to fly to Ireland for the workshop.
Please wish me (and my touring course) good luck
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About suehealy
From Ireland, Sue Healy is Literary Manager at the Finborough Theatre, London, a full-time Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Lincoln. Her book on theatre literary management is published by Routledge, December 2022.
Sue is an award-winning writer for stage, TV, and prose writer.
TV
Her current project, a 6x60minute TV series, is under option. She is under commission with Lone Wolf Media, producers behind PBS’ “Mercy Street”, to co-write the pilot and treatment for a six-part TV series.
Stage
Her most recent stage-play, Imaginationship (2018), enjoyed a sold out, extended run at the Finborough and later showed at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. Her previous stage productions include Cow (Etcetera Theatre, 2017) and Brazen (King’s Head Theatre, 2016), funded by Arts Council England. Sue’s short plays have been performed at the Criterion (Criterion New Writing Showcase), Arcola (The Miniaturists) and Hackney Attic (Fizzy Sherbet Shorts).
Radio
Her radio work includes nine plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (Opening Lines winner), WLRfm and KCLR96fm.
Prose
Sue has won The Molly Keane Award, HISSAC Prize, Escalator Award, Meridian Prize and has been published in nine literary journals and anthologies including: The Moth, Flight, Tainted Innocence, New Writer, Duality, HISSAC, New European Writers. She has been writer-in-residence on Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, and at the Heinrich Boll Cottage on Achill Island. She has also benefitted from annual artist residencies at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, and at Ginestrelle, Assisi in Italy.
An academic with a PhD in modern theatre history, specifically the Royal Court Theatre, Sue has presented her research internationally. She spent eleven years in Budapest, editing Hungary A.M. She has a PhD in modern theatre history (Royal Court Theatre) and is a UEA Creative Writing MA alumnus.
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suehealy 
September 28th, 2011 at 22:24
yes indeedy – good luck x
September 28th, 2011 at 22:28
Thanks Diane!
September 28th, 2011 at 22:31
Best of luck, Sue. It’s a great initiative.
September 28th, 2011 at 22:56
Much appreciated, David!
September 28th, 2011 at 23:30
Sounds like a LOT of fun! Good luck! Praying for your nerves…
September 28th, 2011 at 23:45
Cheers Amy Lee!
September 29th, 2011 at 00:22
Wow what a great structure for a writer’s workshop. Good luck with the course AND the writing workshop – will be cheering you on from (almost) the other side of the world 🙂
September 29th, 2011 at 07:44
Appreciated!
September 29th, 2011 at 17:56
Wow, any late applicants for the 6-month writing challenge! We can do it 😉
And I do wish I could go to that workshop, I was so pumped to join you for even MORE great advice… Until I realized I wouldn’t be able to make it. But oh well… This blog is good enough for me!
September 29th, 2011 at 20:11
Dear Emily,
All late applicants are very welcome! I’ve just realised I really ought to think of a format for this challenge. When I suggested it, I wasn’t thinking any further than a couple of writers who might want to send each other encouraging comments when flagging… but I’ve had such a great response, I feel the challenge deserves a little more shape and attention.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’m actually not going to be around on Oct. 1st so I’m not sure that I’ll be able to blog on the launch of 6-month Novel until Monday. So… ummm… let’s see, what about if I post my word count on Monday 3rd and it should be 1500 and you should aim to hit the same total on Oct. 3rd. And lets have a 6-month Novel virtual meeting on Monday. In the meantime, all suggestions are welcome.
Sue.
September 30th, 2011 at 01:40
Sue, I’m tentatively poking a toe in the water here. I already made a “public” (i.e. to the 10 or 15 people who read my blog!) announcement that I’m going to participate in NaNoWriMo (50,000 words in the month of November) and I would love to supplement that with 500 words a day starting on Saturday…I am cringing a bit because in writing about that much daily to support my blog, I’ve made a lot of changes in my life to find the time…but what the heck! I need the incentive to really get going on my novels!
October 2nd, 2011 at 10:26
Hi Sue,
Is it all right if I start Monday, I just found the challange and fancy a go. Work may slow me down but it could be fun.
I started the postaweek to build my poetry work up and give me an aim, but it would be interesting to write a story as well.
Jim
October 2nd, 2011 at 13:21
Super! I’m still away so am on a borrowed internet connection. I did hit my Sat/Sun 1,000 word target. Yay! Delighted to have you on board, Jim.
October 2nd, 2011 at 17:54
Belated good luck! Ambitious plans are always good. Even if you don’t reach the goal, the attempt is empowering. (Of course, reaching the goal is even moreso!)
Take care,
JC
October 3rd, 2011 at 08:54
Aim for the stars and you’ll at least leave the ground. That’s the plan, anyway!