Writerly Roundup: Poetry in Gardens and Spicy Plots

This roundup will take you to gardens and poetry gatherings, and through a history of the English language.

Creative Writing Workshop in Japanese Gardens

I’m going to make no apologies for boring the bejaysus out of ye about the Sean Dunne Literary Weekend happening in the Japanese Gardens from 28-30 June. As well as the Gathering literary salon I’m co-MCing with Mary Howlett, I’m doing a workshop on Sunday 30 June.

It’s a relaxing Feast for the Senses workshop which will show you how to tap into emotions and memory via the senses. The workshop will run from 10am-12pm on the day and the price will be €25 per person. Booking isn’t open yet, but you can whet your appetite by visiting the Japanese Gardens website for details about the whole literary weekend.

Photo Description: This is a poster for the Sean Dunne Literary weekend, which has all the details I’ve just given you, as well as a slightly creepy skull. This is because Lafcadio Hearn, the inspiration for the Gardens, wrote creepy stories.

Plotting for Character-Driven Writers

Readers love juicy plots – why do you think crime is so popular? But this can be a challenge if you’re telling a more character driven story. Here’s an article that gives you a method of spicing up your plot if you’re a character driven writer. It’s all about the conflict, the power dynamics, the mind games. You’ll find the article on writinghero.com.

Two Lovely Literary Events in Waterford

I’m on the literary hobnobbing trail this week. I’m delighted that the Trá Tales music and storytelling night in Tramore is being revived and I’ll be going along to that this Friday night, 24 May. It’s on in Croke’s Pub from 7pm to 9pm.

Then on Saturday the Speak Your Truth poetry event is on at the Waterford Gallery of Art from 2pm to 3.30pm. Two fine poetry books will be launched at this event, Watching for the Hawk by Breda Spaight and Washing Windows 4, Woman Writing Poetry.

Post for Paid Subscribers

I’ve a juicy post up for paid subscribers, on the thorny subject of whether Opus Dei is a cult. This is more of a memoir piece than an academic article, where I share my experiences of Opus Dei while researching my Masters thesis.

If you’re a free subscriber, click here for a tantalising hint of the article.. If you’re a paid subscriber, you can read the whole thing.

And finally… thanks to newsletter subscriber Paul D Brazill, who sent me this entertaining and funny history of English in ten short chapters. Have a look at the video.

If you want to chat about any aspect of this writerly roundup, contact derbhile@writewords.ie. And you can also…