In order to write, one has to live. However, this can be a problem for us unsupported writers. By unsupported, I mean, those without any funding or independent means who are single and have no one else to pay the bills, shop, cook, clean, organise life etc… and must work to ensure income, plus write to ensure one remains a writer. This equation of needs often result in lack of, or at least a picaresque dance of, time and money and bill-paying – and there’s often little or no time or funds remain to have a social life.
Recently, however, something odd has happened. I’ve hardly been in any evening this week and am being brought to the Theatre Royal this arvo to see ‘One Man, Two Governors’, yet another party invite this evening, and a lunch tomorrow. I’m beginning to understand why people are so keen on this social life thang they’re always wittering about. Do hope I get spoiled and invited more over this festive season!
This new found social life may result in some material for my writing. It’s all in the name of research…
PS: Just got news that one of my short stories has made the Greenacre shortlist. Humdinger of a weekend, eh?
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About suehealy
Literary Manager at the Finborough, Sue Healy is an Irish playwright with a track record in stage and radio. Her most recent play, Imaginationship (2018), enjoyed a sold out, extended run at the Finborough and was later selected for a staged-reading 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. Her short plays have been performed at the Criterion (Criterion New Writing Showcase), Arcola (The Miniaturists) and Hackney Attic (Fizzy Sherbet Shorts by Women). Her radio work includes nine plays broadcast on BBC Radio 4 (Opening Lines winner), WLRfm and KCLR96fm.
She has been an interviewed finalist for BBC Scriptroom 12, Eamonn Keane Playwriting Prize, Nick Darke Award and Old Vic 12 New Voices. Her screenplay was shortlisted for the Shorelight Award.
Sue’s prose 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.
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 alumna. Sue is currently an Associate Lecturer in Playwriting at the University of Lincoln and the University of Portsmouth. She tutors Creative Writing at City Lit.
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December 8th, 2012 at 13:39
Writing takes so much time! But the results are always worth it. Social life – for me – is a few very good friends and some red wine with dark chocolate!
December 8th, 2012 at 14:25
Research on, while it lasts! Being an introvert, I can only do the ‘social whirl’ a short while before I crave a quiet room and a book, or a computer. But that whirl is fun …
December 8th, 2012 at 16:19
Glad you’re out there…gaining fodder for your pen…enjoy living!
December 8th, 2012 at 19:34
Congrats on making the shortlist and may you continue enjoying the social butterfly lifestyle:-)
December 9th, 2012 at 01:30
Yes, living is research. I totally agree. Enjoy the parties and embellish the guests in your writing.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:50
Well-deserved…all around!
December 16th, 2012 at 01:58
Yes, I fully support research! You need the balance. There’s the saying about two lumberjacks: One spends half the day not working and instead ‘sharpens his saw’ while the other works non-stop. At the end of the day, the one who sharpened his saw frequently, although he didn’t work as much, had cut down more trees. He worked more efficiently and wasn’t exhausted!
December 17th, 2012 at 03:54
sometimes seems difficult to write AND live. Oh, and earn money. But what the hell, you’re having fun!
January 27th, 2013 at 14:06
Congratulations… enjoy…