December: The ghosts of writing pasts, present, and future …

It’s the last Inspiration Diaries of 2019! I get to share my incredible news and we each reflect on the year gone by! So delighted to have been a part of these. Happy Christmas and here’s to great things in 2020!!

The Inspiration Project

And so we reach the end of another year, and the end of a decade! The perfect excuse, if any were needed, for a little reflection to wrap up 2019, and look forward to the ’20s (Charleston, anyone?). Thank you for following all our writing journeys over the past twelve months. There have, as always, been plenty of ups and downs, and we’ve enjoyed sharing it with you all. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy New writing Year.

Hazel, Catherine, Carmel, Tric, Clare, and Casey

xxx

Catherine’s Year in Review

When Hazel first floated the idea of the IP Diaries, I thought, ‘Great! People will finally understand that what counts as glamour in this full-time writer life is putting on a bra because you’re expecting the postman’. Three weeks in, a framed print that said ‘Something wonderful is going to happen’ suddenly fell off my wall at…

View original post 2,455 more words

November: Remember, Remember … to write.

This month’s Inspiration Diaries come to you in a bumper issue as all six of us share what we’ve been up to. For me, its news (finally!) from an agent reading my full manuscript. Find out how I got on…

The Inspiration Project

Due to life being completely crazy, this month’s diaries come to you as a box set. We have been very busy! Enjoy!

Catherine

My dreamy month in New York passed by in a flash, but after some last minute scrambling, the first draft of THE NOTHING MAN (Book 4) has gone off to my editor – hooray! This is the best feeling, immediately followed by a plague of acute self-doubt. What if they hate it? They do hate it, don’t they? That’s why I haven’t heard back yet. They’re trying to figure out how to break the news to me that I’m fired… etc. etc.

I haven’t had much time to dwell on it though. To mark Halloween, the Sunday Business Post enlisted Liz Nugent, Pat McCabe, me, Aiden Gillen, Sean Moncrieff and Paul Howard to write a spooky story – Liz started it, then each of us added 300…

View original post 1,631 more words

October, Part Two: In which there are no tricks, just hard work, and occasional treats!

This month’s Inspiration Diary is up! Join myself, Casey King and Tric Kearney on our writing adventures. Warning: May contain magic!

The Inspiration Project

This month, our three determined writers are rediscovering the magic in their writing, banishing self doubt, and saying, ‘I’m a writer’ out loud.

Clare Daly

I have to admit I was a bit nervous heading to last month’s Inspiration Project event in Dun Laoghaire. I’d attended the same event last year and was worried that I’d give off stalker vibes or worse – sheer desperation to Hazel, Catherine and Carmel. Here’s yer one, back again! I knew the content was ground we’d already covered, but I really needed a shot in the arm of motivation and a chance to re-focus having decided to hang up the self-publishing. I need not have worried.

As Catherine talked about plotting and Carmel delved into characters, ideas around a story I’d just started to work on, fired up in my head. I realised too while listening to Hazel talk about editing, how I used…

View original post 854 more words

September, Part Two: What do you mean there are no shortcuts?

In this month’s Inspiration Diaries I get to grips with a stark decision about my publishing journey, Casey put the pedal to the metal on a new novel and Tric gets to grips with finishing her memoir…

The Inspiration Project

This month our writers are taking stock, pressing on, and accepting the realities of writing. Spoiler alert: it’s all about hard work, and accepting that there are no handy shortcuts to success. Sorry!

Casey King @Letstalkcrime

I attended a few author events recently and noticed that when the floor was opened to the audience a similar theme ran through the questions. People wanted to know that magic formula, that secret, that button to press, the software to use, what does it take to turn out that amazing book that will be snapped up? Here I come with a huge pin to burst that bubble … there ain’t no magic formula. It’s a bit like losing weight, there are no quick fixes only dedication and sticking to what works for you.

Writing software, like an ideal exercise class or DVD, is only as good as the one that makes you want to partake. There are…

View original post 806 more words

August, Part Two: Submission Accomplished!

August Inspiration Diaries are in! Casey King, Tric Kearney and myself share our writing journeys and one of us has amazing news!!!

The Inspiration Project

Gorgeous posts from our three writers this month in which there is lots of ‘waiting to hear’, and some Very Good News. Perhaps more than any other, these three updates perfectly capture the emotional rollercoaster of the writing life. We hope you enjoy following their progress.

Casey King @letstalkcrime

I had a very exciting few weeks. As well as my agent’s summer party in London, I was Catherine’s guest for the research part of her (sold out!!) Crime Writing Workshop at Bantry Literary Festival. Catherine has always encouraged me to acknowledge my worth and bring to the fore the valuable police procedural knowledge that I have. Since then, I have received kind follow-up emails, further questions and enquiries re: consulting, as well as testimonials, should I wish to run a course, or give a talk on Applying Police Procedure to your Crime Writing at future events. Afterwards Catherine took me…

View original post 897 more words

July, Part Two: On playing the long game.

In this month’s Inspiration Diaries, I learn the art of patience while on submission, Casey navigates her first industry garden party and Tric bravely presses ‘send’ in the hunt for an agent…

The Inspiration Project

We are well into the summer of ’19 now, and our three writers are staying cool, playing the long game, pressing ‘Send’, oh, and hanging out with Idris Elba. Just the usual month in the life of a writer then! Over to you, ladies!

Clare Daly

I talk a good talk about the ‘long game’, but when it comes to an agent showing interest in my work, the ‘short game’ shrink wraps me into a state of panic. As I sit here in week ten of agents are reading my full manuscript (I wish I wasn’t counting), I’ve had to take stock as the writing factory has essentially ceased trading and this is NOT GOOD.

Thanks to a Youtube video (this is what happens when I’m not writing) from Actualized.org, called Be Fucking Patient! I’ve had an epiphany or rather listened to one. The lack of patience over something not…

View original post 891 more words

June, Part Two: Whooaah, we’re halfway there …

This month’s diaries tackle the highs and lows of writing memoir, getting out among your writing community and wrestling that feeling of impending doom while on submission. No pain, no gain, right?

The Inspiration Project

There’s nothing quite like hitting the middle of the year for taking stock. More intriguing insights and searing honesty this month as our writers share their pains and gains …

Casey King

What a Difference a Year Makes.

I mentioned Listowel Writers’ Week in previous blogs, so I ventured there again, and it did not disappoint. I got a sinus infection and as good as lost my voice but hell if that was going to stop me enjoying it. From talking mindfulness with photographer Ger Holland and Bressie, to talking all things bananas with Jane Casey (don’t ask!!), it was a wonderful week and a credit to the Chairperson Catherine Moylan and all the volunteers.

I discovered a new author too, Marianne Power and her novel Help Me! My friend is a huge fan and was dying to meet her and meet her we did. We had such a lovely…

View original post 942 more words

May, Part Two: Finding the right words

In this month’s diary, I get some unexpected but lovely news on the submissions front, plus a spot on #DateWithAnAgent. Casey King talks about good support and Tric Kearney writes so beautifully about grief. Am honoured to share the page with these ladies.

The Inspiration Project

*taps mic* Did you hear the news that we have a date for our next INSPIRATION PROJECT event?!  Come and join us this September at the stunning LexIcon Library in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin. For full details, and to book your place, see https://theinspirationproject.ie/

This month, our three intrepid writers share the ups and downs of writing – and life. There is also talk of underwear and armour. Underarmour? Probably best if you just read on!

Clare Daly

As a writer, you get used to rejection. It’s the default position and you wait for it, every time you send a piece of your work out. The expectation of good news doesn’t really come into play. It’s a coping mechanism, I suppose. Brace yourself, secure your armour and fight on. And it is a battle. Against yourself to steel your emotions, stay the course and keep going.

So when the prospect…

View original post 965 more words

April, Part Two: Notions and Emotions

This month I’m sharing my strangely optimistic rejection from an agent and
Casey King is on the cusp of wonderful news. Love being part of the Inspiration Diaries!

The Inspiration Project

Like ever-changeable April showers, our intrepid writers share their latest ups and downs on their quest for publication.

Clare Daly @claredalyauthor

Submit. Defeat. Repeat.

The rejection for my third book came at the end of March, two weeks after meeting the agent in London. It read, “I like the idea and plot, and think it has legs. However, it did not quite resonate for me. This is an entirely visceral response and I am confident you will find the perfect agent for you.” If a knock back can be called encouraging or responsible for keeping the fire lit, then this is the form it takes. I’ve had enough to know a good one when I see it. No response is the worst, closely followed by a one-line form rejection. It’s generally noted that if a writer is getting any more than that in the way of feedback, then they’re on the right…

View original post 557 more words

March, Part Two: Great Expectations

March’s Inspiration Diaries are now live for your reading pleasure. I took myself to the London Book Fair (again!). Catch up with myself, Tric Kearney and Casey King’s writing adventures below…

The Inspiration Project

In Part Two of our March diaries, our three intrepid writers knuckle down, and this time, it’s getting serious! Amazing to see how much has already happened in the first three months of 2019. Cheering you on all the way, ladies!

Clare – @claredalyauthor

On paper it looked straightforward. A carefully curated day in London. Book research at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Charles Dickens Museum, Buckingham Palace and the V&A, all intricately scheduled around the reason for my trip – the chance to pitch my novel to an agent at the London Book Fair. My bleary eyes and sore feet perhaps tell a more chaotic tale today, but I needed those lovely distractions in case it all went horribly wrong.

It’s a tricky thing to master, to sell yourself and your work in ten precious minutes. The worry that you’ll forget your pitch, that stage fright will set in and they’ll think…

View original post 810 more words