WriteWords Newsletter: Vowels and Ghosts
There is nothing otherworldy about this newsletter, despite appearnces.
WordNerd: Wraith
Sometimes the WordNerd likes words because of the curious combination of letters wedge within them. The Wr sound in the word wraith five it a pleasantly shivery sound, which is appropriate given its meaning.
A wraith is a ghost or an apparition. It can appear at the time of someone's death, making you think the person is still alive. The word is thought to be Scottish, but its origins are unclear.
What’s Going On: Intellectual Disability Writing Workshops
I really love giving writing workshops to people with intellectual disabilities. So, I was delighted to be approached by Sheila Grant at the Brothers of Charity to give five creative writing workshops to people who attend their services in Tramore, where I live.
I'll be helping these bidding writers to create their own unique pieces of writing. The workshops will take me right up to Christmas, so they feel like an early Christmas present. Find out more about my community group workshops.
Grammar Grouch: Digesting Vowels
Learning your letters is a tricky business, so the Grammar Grouch felt some sympathy for the young child who wrote in her copybook that the five bowels were A, E, I, O and U.
The Grouch hopes that this child will one day digest the rules of English spelling, starting with the five vowels.
Writing Resource: Minding Creative Minds
Writing is a lonely business, and the pandemic has made life more difficult for artists of all stripes. Minding Creative Minds aims to ease that loneliness with a variety of practical and emotional supports for writers and artists of all stripes.
You can avail of mentoring and career support, as well as financial and legal advice. I went to their monthly Zoom meetup recently and found it thoroughly enjoyable. You can find out more about Minding Creative Minds here.
Submission Opportunity: HOWL Literary Journal
It's great to see such a wealth of Irish literary journals spring up in recent years. HOWL is the latest venture, launched just this month, and it's the brainchild of two members of UCC's MA in Creative Writing programme.
For our international readers, HOWL accepts writing from people of Irish origin in every corner of the world. Submissions will open for HOWL 23 in January, but if you want to get a sense of what they're looking for, HOWL 22 is available from the website.
If you'd like to chat about any aspect of this newsletter or anything wordy, you can get in touch with me via derbhile@writewordseditorial.ie or 0876959799.
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