First Twitter Memory - We all have one!!

I read a great blog post from my friend Niamh Greene (@Niamh_Greene), all about her relationship with Twitter.  Now I say friend tentatively because I 've never actually met Niamh.  Our relationship began on this wonderful phenomenon called Twitter!

In her post Niamh talks about the good and bad things about Twitter, and just so you have something to look forward to in the future, at some point soon I hope to do a post called 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Twitter', but in the meantime, Niamh's post got me thinking about my first Twitter memory - all 66 days ago.

To begin with, like Niamh I had avoided facebook, bebo and god knows what else.  I liked blogging, and emailing, and even Skype, but Twitter was not for me.

Finally about 67 days ago another friend (one whom I actually met in person), told me to give Twitter a try.  I thought God No!  Do I have to!  But like all older-bold children, once I finished ranting and raving to myself (as I often do), I set about the task in hand.

Experience has taught me to always seek expert advice, and with Twitter, I wasn't going to change a trusted system.  So I duly sought out a professional.

Her name was Orla, a daughter of a friend of mine.  Orla has just finished her Junior Cert, so was a definate expert.  Myself and Orla together registered me on Twitter.  We did this upstairs in the back bedroom while her Mom minded the vino downstairs.  Orla was brilliant and I sent out my first tweet.  I couldn't believe it when my niece responded, liking my quote about writing - I was hooked.

Now this brings me nicely to another thing I've learned in life.  If someone reaches out a hand to you, you should grab it.  With this in mind, I met my niece (the wonderful @RachelLuRay) in the 'Queen of Tarts' for tea and well, tart.  Rachel explained loads to me about @Mentions, TinyURL, Favourites, RT's, some great twitter sites to get started with - and so with the help of the experts, I was off.

I played around with the Twitter bug for about a week, doing what I do best, observing.  I discovered all about #ff friday, and how a DM was different to an @Mention, and bit by bit, I got the hang of it.

Since joining Twitter, I have managed to do lots of things. I have increased my blog hits and blog followers for one, which is brilliant because I love to get comments.  After 66 days, I now have 823 Twitter followers. I became Number 28 in Ireland this week in the Follow Friday rankings.  I also managed to get hacked at least once, had a follower who seemed very nice turn quite strange and horrid, got a DM that upset me, but most of all, and I really mean this (it is not just some sop that people dish out), I have met some brilliant folk who matter to me as friends, whom I didn't know 66 days ago, but now count!

Anyhow (fav crutch word) - What is your first Twitter memory??  Come on share it!

Link HERE to @RachelLuRay fab post on changing technology, iphone, twitter & a lot more besides! You'll understand why I call her an expert!

How Times Have Changed - It's A Man's World!

Some say it's still a man's world - but at least they've changed their taste in ties!

I can't believe this advertisement is from the swinging sixties, but it is! 

So, thirty years on in the 1990's, us females have moved from finding happiness in a Man's World, to finding excitement in our clothes.

Gosh things have really moved on!

Interview with Hennessy Literary Award Winner - Eileen Casey

 

Hennessy Literary Award Winner - Eileen Casey 

This post is a very special one because I get to introduce you to a very special writer.  Many of you might have already heard of the fabulous Eileen Casey, but for those of you who haven't, you get to meet her here today.

A couple of months back I did a blog post on The Hennessy New Writers Literary Awards.  As I might have mentioned before, in Ireland, winning a Hennessy Literary Award is like receiving an Oscar, because once you've joined this elite group, from that day onwards, you will always be referred to as a Hennessy Literary Winner.

Eileen, who is this year's Winner of The Hennessy New Writing Award for Emerging Fiction, joins us to talk about her writing and her winning story Macaw .


Firstly Eileen, can I start by asking you what was the inspiration behind this wonderful story?

The Inspiration for ‘Macaw’ came from frequent visits to The Mater hospital with my sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.  I remember watching The Golden Globes on the t.v. set in the waiting room and looking at all these gorgeous women with quite an amount of cleavage showing.  I thought it incongruous to say the least. Especially as I was also seeing such anxious expressions on the faces of the women sitting around me, of all ages. Waiting perhaps for life changing results.  The story grew from that.  I was interested enough in the subject matter, mainly due to worry for my sister no doubt.

In its creation, did it take many twists and turns, change in unexpected ways?

Once I had the idea, I needed to fictionalise it.  After all, fiction and life are two different things entirely.  I didn’t want it to sound like the diary of an illness.  I wanted to make the story universal in that both men and women could read it and feel moved.  I also wanted the story to be written to the best I could do so I knew I would have to find ways of introducing strong images and metaphors.  I saw the head of a parrot on a billboard and it immediately struck me how alike it was to the shape of a secateurs which in turn brought the surgeon’s ‘blade’ to mind.  Once I had that image and that train of thought, the rest followed.  I’m also in awe of the Macaw bird, it’s so beautiful, its feathers and glorious colours, are so poignant in a way.

I know this is a very hard question to answer, but is there any piece of writing within your large body of work which is particularly special to you, whether because of the content, context or personal growth?

Do I have any special piece of writing?  I really like Black Ball Gown , a short piece commissioned for a Per Cent for art project funded by South Dublin County Council.  The piece was made into a short film by award winning artists Anne Cleary and Dennis Connolly and is beautifully read by actress Anne 0’Neill.  It recounts my coming to Dublin as a young girl and how difficult I was finding my new life away from home.

How did it feel to hear you had won the Hennessy Emerging Writer Award?

Winning the Hennessy Emerging Fiction Award is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.  It means I’ve reached a standard, after all my years of hard work.  It’s an acknowledgement and one I don’t take lightly.  I was short listed twice before, Poetry (2004) and first fiction (2005).  Everyone was great on the night and kept saying to me, ‘Third time lucky.’ The awards night was magical.  The 40^th year of the awards meant a gala night, with lots of my favourite writers in attendance, among them Dermot Bolger, Sebastian Barry, Joe 0’Connor and many more.  President Mary McAleese was there too with her husband Martin.  We were photographed with the President before the awards, a really nice touch.  My sister came with me to the awards so you can imagine our joy when my name was called. I’ll be eternally grateful to Paul Durkin, Ciaran Carty and Derek Johns, the three judges who unanimously gave me the award.

Writing is often a very personal thing - we all bring bits of ourselves, the people we know, our surroundings and memories into our work – how much of your life to date do you draw on?  Is there anything out of bounds, anything you wouldn’t write about?

I do tend to draw on personal history for my work, not all of the time of course, but I think the roots of my poetry and  prose are not to far away from events that happen to me.  I wouldn’t like to say there is anything out of bounds.  After all, the more truthful the writing is, the more beauty it has.  I believe that sincerely.

Along with writing  I know you also teach.  Indeed, it was through my first creative writing class with you a few years back, that the door was opened in my mind to the joy of writing.  Tell us a little bit about your teaching career, and also your association with The Lucan Writers.

I’ve been facilitating creative writing classes since the late 1980’s.  I taught at Ashfield College, Templeogue and in most of the Community Colleges in Tallaght and its environs.  I was very fortunate to have begun the writing journey of The Lucan Writers, a fantastic group who have measured up to and outstripped in lots of ways, the potential I saw in the group in those early days. I’m extremely proud of my association with The Lucan Writers. 

You are obviously a very driven person Eileen, what sparks your creativity, what keeps you so determined, seeking further challenges with the written word? 

I’m driven I suppose in that I take my writing seriously and it’s never far from the surface of my thoughts and actions.  It’s as natural to me as breathing.  When I get a good idea, I experience it in the body, a lovely feeling of excitement and energy.  Life is constantly throwing up ideas.  I feel I’m creative enough to be able to spot these quirks and foibles and I’m grateful that life, in general, is so rich and varied.  I would always be curious about everything too and I believe that nothing is wasted.  The worst piece of writing can lead to a really good piece of writing on another day.

You also have a love of books, which ones would you place on the special book shelf?

I love books.  Having completed the M.Phil in Creative Writing, School of English, Trinity College, Dublin, I’ve met lots of visiting writers.  All of them are unique and wonderful in their own individual ways but….if I have a favourite at the moment, it’s Kevin Barry.  I can’t wait to read City of Bohane.  I was very fortunate to have had encouragement and support from high profile and much respected writers like Gerald Dawe (Senior Lecturer, The School of English, Trinity College), Deirdre Madden, Peter Fallon and Hugo Hamilton while completing the M.Phil.

And finally Eileen, what are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are quite simple.  To publish a full collection of short stories.  That’s my main focus now.

Thank you so much Eileen for meeting with us here today.  You have been an inspiration to me, and to many others.  I have no doubt, your short story collection will be published.  Perhaps, when it is, you might join us here again?

Certainly Louise, I would love to.

Listing of Publications/Creative Writing Classes – Eileen Casey – Hennessy Literary Award Winner

_________________

Creative Writing Classes with Eileen begin in September in Old Bawn Community School (Tallaght), Adult Education.

From Bone to Blossom - a collaborative collection of pen/ink drawings and poetry with visual artist Emma Barone is currently available (Amazon).  This collection features an introduction by Dedalus Poet and Writer Grace Wells and is published by Altents Publishing, Rua Red, Tallaght.

Drinking the Colour Blue (New Island) - Eileen’s debut poetry collection, is also available on Amazon.

The Jane Austen Sewing Kit - an anthology of creative writing, supported by South Dublin County Council, is available from Eileen via email @ eileencaseyhome@eircom.net

Seagulls - a chapbook of poems which accompanied a poetry installation in Tallaght Community Arts Centre in 2006 is also available from Eileen.

South of the County: New Myths and Tales - an anthology of writings by over thirty of the finest writers working in South Dublin today, edited by Eileen, was published in 2010.

Eileen will be facilitating a creative writing workshop during Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival, on 10^th August in the new youth café on Main Street, Birr, Co. Offaly.

Thought for the Weekend - Pablo Picasso

'When inspiration comes, let it find you working.'

- Pablo Picasso -

Fringe Festival - Three Men Talking About Things They Kinda Know About

This is my first post on the Fringe Festival which will happen in Dublin between 10th - 25th September, and what better event to start with than this one!  In 'Three Men Talking About Things They Kinda Know About', we are treated to the 3 Kings of what's happening now on the Dublin Scene.

Colm Keegan of Nighthawks, Stephen James Smith of The Glór Sessions  & Kalle Ryan of Brownbread Mixtape

Here's a brief glimpse of the madness you will hear on the night,via the Fringe Festival site.

Admit it. our heads are totally wrecked. And we kinda want to talk about it.  All of the things that shaped us and brought us to this moment; our families, the pure chance of falling in love, the randomness of absolutely everything, we kinda want to talk about that too. We’re all unique, but our experiences overlap. With each other. With everyone. With you. This is a nonfiction spoken word show about the universal truths that fuck us all up - Three men. Different histories. Same shit.

• Company: Kalle Ryan, Stephen James Smith & Colm Keegan
• Venue: The International Bar
• Date/Time: Mon 19 September 2011 7:00 pm / Tue 20th September 2011 7:00 pm / Wed 21st September 2011 7:00 pm / Thu 22nd September 2011 7:00 pm / Fri 23rd September 2011 7:00 pm / Sat 24th September 2011 5:30 pm
• Duration 60 mins

Link to booking this event HERE

Caught in Amber - Pic & Poem

The image below was taken by my photographic daughter and I liked it even when it was just a tiny icon on her computer screen.  I wanted to write something about it from the get go, but couldn't think of anything initially, however this is what I finally came up with. 

(By the way on my PC the image is Amber)

Caught in Amber

A room and bed discarded

bereft of all but memory

of how her breath filled air

and jasmine drifted under sheets.

Amber lights and passing street sounds

infuse and murmur

fragments lingering

of something past.

A place where normality no more exists

but trapped in time

caught by faintest recall
of how her hair spread as wild grass across the pillow

the warmth of skin

and ache

the ancient truth

that wills her back.

Sebastian Barry/Jimmy Deenihan @ The Centre

Now I know it feels like this blog has turned into a mini version of the Irish Writers' Centres website, but considering the wonderful author Sebastian Barry will be reading there this evening,I figured this is not an event to be missed.  So darn blast, I just have to tell you all about it.  All the details are below.  I have no doubt it will be a great night.  I plan on going in myself, so maybe, I might see some of you there!

The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr Jimmy Deenihan, TD, will visit the Irish Writers' Centre this evening Wednesday 20 July at 7.00 pm to unveil a plaque acknowledging the financial support of his Department and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Centre.

The dual celebration will include a special guest reading by Sebastian Barry. It will continue with readings from selected writers and writing groups who have been using the Centre on a regular basis over the past couple of years. A reception before and afterwards will ensure that this is going to be an extremely enjoyable occasion, and everyone is invited to join us for this celebration.

How Times Have Changed, Or Have They? - Burnt Toast

Ah sure there is nothing like burning stuff to set your day off just right.  Managed to burn toast under the grill this morning, setting off mega loud fire alarm, simultaneous buzzing, bells, and god knows what else. 

It took me ages to work out how to disable the alarm panel, teenage son slept through the whole thing - go figure!!!

But of course, if I had have had some beer in, all would have been well!

Happy Tuesday!

(Head still hurts)

When you were small - Memories!

Time to take another trip backwards!  I'm thinking maybe today's post might be a bit trickier than previous ones.  After all, it's fairly easy to remember your first love, first best friend, most memorable toy - but this one took me a while to work out, so maybe it will be difficult for you too.  The funny thing is, once I worked it out, I couldn't understand why I had such difficulty with it in the first place.

Anyhow (fav crutch word), when you think about childhood, if you could only hold onto ONE childhood memory, which one would it be?  Tough - you must agree.

I remember Billy Connolly telling a story about taking his kids to Scotland and how they went to wonderful places, they saw the salmon leap, they had a picnic next to a castle, and he made up stories about Kings and Queens, they did lots of wonderful things, so much so, that by the end of the holidays, he felt pretty confident when he asked them which part was the most memorable.  He was convinced it would be either the salmon or the magic castle, but children are never easy creatures to predict.  'Sesame Street', they told him.  You see, they had one of those mini screens in the back of the car, and as they would drive from one wonderful place to the next, they would watch 'Sesame Street' on it!

Which kinda leads me to my answer.  Now as none of my family read my blog, I am probably pretty safe saying this, but it wasn't a wonderful Christmas memory, or an endearing family moment, or even an act of human kindness or tenderness, it was the Washing Yard.

Okay there you have it, if I could hold onto ONLY ONE childhood memory, it would be the Washing Yard - Why you might ask, or not, but sure I'll tell you anyhow.

I grew up in what were called flats, run down buildings sort of thing.  This meant we had no back or front garden, nor did we have much else either, but we did have a washing yard.  The washing yard was a brilliant place - there would be rows and rows of washing lines full of laundry, the sheets were the best because you could run through them and pretend you were flying.  Plus it had tall poles to hold up the lines, which you could swing around and climb.  Now the washing yard was out the back bedroom window where I slept, and the window was one of those with 3 window panes across.  My brother, sister and I would sit in front of the window and each of us got our own window pane, I know, sad but true.  Anyhow (told you it was my fav crutch word), we would look out the window, and when it snowed we'd pretend we were traveling through galaxies, or at night we would try to guess which window would light up next, because obviously, everyone living in the flats had windows which backed onto the washing yard, and like Christmas lights, at night each of them would switch on and off. 

Often, especially at night you would hear noises from the washing yard as families might fight, a Dad coming home drunk and raising all hell around him, or even worse the banshee wailing.  In the morning, the place filled up with seagulls, millions of them, or so it appeared to me as a child, and again the washing yard took on a whole new image.  I suppose what I'm saying is that more than anything, the washing yard fuelled my imagination, whether from listening to stories from each of the windows, or seagulls, or running through sheets, it sparked off so many things which made my childhood extra special.  My brother ended up becoming a Professor of Physics & Astronomy, which in my opinion was connected to the galaxies we travelled through together.

Gosh this is turning into a long post.  Anyhow, here's a poem I wrote earlier as they say, called 'The Washing Yard'.  I hope you enjoy it, and please, if you can work out which childhood memory you would choose to hold on to, then let us know!

The Washing Yard

Rows of dance on washing lines

Beneath one hundred sheets a child could fly

Curl metal bars and catch blue sky.

Turn snowstorms into a Milky Way

Laugh and play too young to know

As children blow at Jinny Joe.

And as the night light fills its sky

Banshees wail and babies cry.

Strange voices haunt the Washing Yard

Windows switching on and off

Each pane a different story told

A zillion words bound metal poles.

Then in morn all night sounds forced to hide

When from its sky come seagulls high.

Hoards of birds create such clatter

Swoon and squawk discarded matter.

Magic, to a young child's eye

As adults watch their lives pass by.

Buried in some human tomb

A child's joy,

In an adult's gloom.

Movie 'The Guard' - Review

'The Guard' it one of those films which come along every now and then and it gives you more than you bargained for.  I had no doubt that I would enjoy this film, a brief look at the promo clips and straight off I got the sense that I would be introduced to a great character by way of Sergeant Gerry Boyle played by the wonderful Brendan Gleeson.

I expected great characters, I expected great humour, a fast and engaging storyline, and I was not disappointed.  What I didn’t expect was the amazing mix of light and dark, wit and sarcasm, low life, reality, sharp, fast, emotionally engaging, perfectly balanced mix, which waltzed with racism, drugs, hard hitting reality, on the edge characters with more than the usual surface level of personality dished out to achieve a good movie, no, no, what I got were characters on many levels, layers that made each of them whole, real, alongside the raw but exciting mix of great script writing, every word, line, every event, each member of the cast, mixed together in an utterly marvellous evening’s entertainment.

So you guessed it, I liked it, I liked it in bucket loads, because it not only entertained the audience, it held it , tested it, flirting with PC issues, war, drugs, prostitution, death, love, corruption, people on the margins, and some downright fucked up bad guys, and delivered it all in an utterly wonderful, hilarious, dark comedy that in my opinion, was an utter triumph.

Do yourself a favour, go see this movie!

Review & Brief Story Intro  -  Vue Cinema Liffey Valley

Gleeson is veteran Officer Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a bit of a rogue cop who marches by the beat of his own drum. When a drug smuggling ring headed by Liam Cunningham and Mark Strong's criminals sets up shop on Boyle's turf, the FBI send Cheadle's decorated agent to oversee the investigation. While not getting off to a great start - Boyle raises his hand during a briefing to ask the FBI Agent if he is "from the hood" - the two men soon come to share a mutual respect, and team up to investigate the case.

Brendan Gleeson embodies Gerry Boyle so completely perfectly that you won't be able to fathom anyone else playing the man after you leave the cinema. Like a great tennis player, his performance instantly raises the game of those around him and the Howth native gives arguably the best performance of the year so far. Cheadle and Strong have far less to do, but both men obviously understood the tone of the script and deliver solid supporting performances, while Cunningham is great as the quintessential Dublin gang boss.