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.
About suehealy
From Ireland, Sue Healy is Literary Manager at the Finborough Theatre, London, a full-time Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Creative Writing at the University of Lincoln. "70 Years At The Court" is her upcoming book, due to be published in 2026 by Methuen Drama, which she is co-writing with Prof. Harriet Devine. Her previous book "The Literary Manager's Toolkit" is on theatre literary management is published by Routledge (2023).
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 alumna.
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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.