Halfway to crazy!

It was such a lovely evening last night at Tallaght Library, and many thanks to Emma Perry of the library staff for organising it.

I always enjoy chatting about my novels and the writing process, but an unexpected question from one member of the book club got me really emotional and tissues were required. I won't go into the details but the group were so lovely and supportive, along with plenty of cups of tea and treats.

Sometimes, I have to pinch myself, and especially on evenings like last night when so many people tell me how much they enjoyed a story and adopt the characters as real people the way I do when I'm writing them. Yes, I know, halfway to crazy, but that's how I look on it - if your characters don't feel real to you, they won't feel real to anyone else either!!

Go Libraries! Go Grandchildren!

Off to have an early night!! It was a long wet day, rushing around like a madwoman, but one of the loveliest parts of it was bringing my grandchild to the library! 

She's not two yet, but I signed her up a couple of weeks ago at Tallaght Library, and collected her first set of six books!!! 

Go libraries! 

Go Grandchildren!

World Book Night Reading & Workshop at Tallaght Library - Get booking!!!

I am delighted to be doing a reading next Tuesday evening the 23rd April at the wonderful library in Tallaght, as part of the WORLD BOOK NIGHT celebration. 

The evening will kick start at 7 p.m. with a brief introduction and short reading, followed by a one hour workshop based on 'THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF CRIME WRITING' which will conclude at 8.30.

Looking forward to seeing some of you there!!

Places are limited, and are supported by the library, so if you are interested, GET BOOKING by phoning (01) 4620073 or email talib@sdublincoco.ie

Reading Not to be Missed! 19th December 2011

Now I know you are all really busy, being the 'busy time of year', but it is always good to have a little rest and relaxation, along with wonderful readings from some creative folk. 

Which is why you shouldn't miss tomorrow night's readings on Monday the 19th December 2011 at Tallaght Library (7pm).

Kate Dempsey will be reading from her recently published “Dinky” book of poems along with Ann Marie Mullins, Ray Mullen and Trish Best.

You can find Kate here at  Emerging Writer, a brilliant site for keeping you in touch with everything going on in the writing scene.

The Echo Newspaper have been a great support to all the writers who have featured as part of this reading series which has been facilitated by Hennessy Literary Award Winner, Eileen Casey.  You can find out all about the writers, and read some of their work, including myself, here.

Hope to see you there!

Miram O Callaghan in Conversation with Roddy, Rory & Ita Doyle at the Library

I went along to Tallaght Library last Thursday for the interview with Roddy Doyle and his parents with the wonderful Miriam O Callaghan.  I say wonderful because one, I had a very high opinion of Miriam before the interview, and two because after it, it went up a couple more notches.

Firstly, she did a very good job of putting everyone at their ease, including Roddy Doyle's parents, who turned out to be really interesting and also very moving to listen to.  You'll get a chance yourself to listen by clicking the link below, and also because Miriam was really supportive to the school students that came along, giving lots of encouragement and praise with a bit of humour fired in for good measure.

Now I am sure interviewing, even very good interviewing always throws up the odd curve ball, but Miriam had more than her fair share to deal with last Thursday, when having waited for the production team to do all the sound checks, whilst Miriam chatted to everyone, we had a power failure, complete black out.  Initially, most thought it would last a couple of minutes and then we would be off again, but it turned out the whole area was down and the ESB had no idea when they would get it back up again......interviewing nightmare..... except that the sound man had back up batteries!  As the setting up of the new sound level would take about 15 minutes, it was decided to have a bit of a question and answer session while we waited.  This was really good, with some great questions from the students about Roddy's characters and stories, and it was awful pity that it wasn't being recorded, and again to Miriam's credit, not only did she praise and encourage the teenagers, but she also managed to store up items in her head out of the responses from the Q & A, for the interview once it got rolling.

So the first part of the interview, all 4 minutes before the power cut had to be scraped, because the sound would be different, and then 15 to 20 minutes later, the sound guys had everything set up on battery, when guess what, yes you've guessed it, the power came back on.  So..........this meant changing all the sound settings again, another 10 or 15 minutes, and me thinks deffo an interviewer's worst nightmare.  But the lady just kept on going, charming everyone, and smiling all the way through it.  So when we did finally start, the below recording took place and well worth a listen to, so get listening.

Miriam O Callaghan in conversation with Roddy, Ita and Rory Doyle  HERE