#WritersWise 22nd August 9-10pm BST with @TinaACallaghan on Pros & Cons of being a pantser?

Join the chat 9-10pm BST on 22nd August.

During the hour the questions will be posted up at intervals for general discussion.

All are welcome to comment/question on the host’s topic.

Daughter of the Storm by Tina Callaghan purchase link.

Topic – Writing Process. The Pros and Cons of being a pantser? 

Introductions.

T1 Plotter or pantser? Does it vary? How?

T2. Pros of being a pantser?

T3. Pros of being a plotter/ Cons of being a pantser.

T4. What are your general tips for writing (YA).

Closing thoughts & please share and RT Tina’s new book.

Guest-host 

Tina Callaghan is a writer of supernatural fiction. Her first young adult supernatural thriller, Dark Wood Dark Water, published by Poolbeg Press, is available from bookshops and online. Dark Wood Dark Water was shortlisted for the YA book of the Year in the An Post Irish Book Awards 2018. Her short fiction has been longlisted for the Best Horror of the Year and she is anthologized with Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Her second novel, Daughter of the Storm, is coming soon.

Daughter of the Storm by Tina Callaghan

Blurb

Lia needs to find out why her father jumped from the cliff onto the Devil s Teeth rocks below. The only way to understand what happened is to go to the isolated weather-beaten island herself.

However, there s more to the island than cliffs and storms and history. It also has its close-knit people. Like Ed, a young man who s troubled and almost ready to leave; Lia’s Uncle Harry and his secretive friends; heavily pregnant Becky and her worried parents Rose and Frank.

Everyone is either dreading the violent winter storms to come or, strangely, praying for them.

And then there s the Hall, the crumbling, brooding mansion that has held all of the island s secrets for centuries. It s out there, on the edge of the grey sea, and the coming storm will release all that it has hidden.

Lia, Ed and the others are trapped on the island by the storm, fighting for more than their survival. They must fight to save their immortal souls

Join us on 22nd August and follow hashtag and here for details of September’s chat. 

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#WritersWise @ladynicci on ‘Influence of True Crime on Writing.’ 4th July 9-10pm BST /4pm ET. All welcome.

Transcript of tweet-chat with Nicola Cassidy. Click here.

 

Link to Nicola’s new novel #TheNannyatNumber43 here

Topic for the hour on 4th July 9-10pm BST 4pm ET on #WritersWise is ‘The Influence of True Crime in our writing.’

Format – Introductions and hullos for first few mins. 

Then the questions are popped up by us (@sharontwriter/@drlfarrell) at intervals through the hour.

T1. Do you read/have interest in true crime?

T2 How might true crime influence what you read/write?

T3 What are the advantages of using true crime as basis for fiction?

T4 Disadvantages of same.

T5 Could you please RT + follow @ladynicci on her launch week, thank u.

Closing Thoughts 

Next #WritersWise is on Thurs 18th July.

 

#WritersWise June 27th with @TinaACallaghan on ‘Starting & Finishing your novel’. 9-10pm BST.

Link to Tina’s Young Adult (YA) novel Dark Wood Dark Water

WritersWise is on June 27th at 9-10pm BST. Questions below will be posted at intervals for the hour to keep us all on track of the topic.

Writers/Readers at all stages welcome to join the chat on

‘Starting and finishing your novel’? 

Opening Introductions. 

T1 How do you start your novel? Handwritten/Scrivener? Planned/panster? 

T2 What are the first obstacles we encounter with a work in progress (WIP)?

T3 What nuggets of advice have we on overcoming the first writing obstacles? 

T4 How do you know your novel is ‘finished’? How do we make sure it is the best it can be?

T5 What do you do then once the novel is finished?

Closing Thoughts CT.

Next #WritersWise is with Nicola Cassidy on 4th July. (to be confirmed as it is launch week for her latest novel).

#WritersWise Thursday 13th June 9-10pm BST with @hearmeroarmedia/@EmmaHayes25 on PR&Marketing for writers.

Hear me Roar PR company link.

Link to transcript of entire chat on 13th June with PR company Hear Me Roar Media.

#WritersWise will be a tweet-chat on Marketing & PR for writers in 2019. Our guest-host is Hear Me Roar Media – Contemporary PR for the digital age.

Hear me Roar Media helps Start-ups, SME’s and authors/writers find their audience and tell their unique stories across Ireland and the UK. Hear Me Roar Media wants to do things a little differently from the traditional model of PR and communications. We want to take your story and creatively magnify it to your targeted audience, in a way that fills people with recognition for your brand, product/service or book.

Emma Hayes runs Hear Me Roar Media a PR/communications agency for writers, start-ups and SMEs. Emma has experience working as a successful Freelance Writer she is also an Aspiring Author having written her first book which she is about to start submitting to agents.

Questions for Tweet-chat on June 13th to keep the conversation on track are;

1. Why should writers send out a press release about their book?

2. Why is PR for writers important?

3. Does building an online profile matter?

4. How do you prepare for media attention?

5. What’s the best way to pitch to the media?

Our next #WritersWise is with Tina Callaghan on 27th June 2019 9-10pm BST

#WritersWise Tweet-chat to Launch @sheilaforsey’s new novel ‘Kilbride House’. Topic – can buildings become characters in novels? 6th June 2019 9-10pm GMT.

Transcript of chat from 6th June 2019 available on this link Transcript Sheila’s tweet-chat.

#WritersWise tweet-chat with Sheila Forsey on the launch of her new novel Kilbride House. 6th June 9-10pm GMT. All welcome to join us.

 

 

Topic – Can buildings become like characters in novels?

Introduction and hullos

The conversation will focus around the follow questions. These will be popped up at intervals during the hour chat.

T1 Can we think of any buildings from literature that linger in our memory?

T2 What makes these buildings stick in people’s minds?

T3. What are the difficulties of having one building feature heavily in a novel?

T4. How can writers write buildings so that they make a lasting impression?

T5. Can we all like, share and follow Sheila Forsey on the launch of her new novel Kilbride House please? We’d really appreciate it.

Click here to purchase Sheila’s new novel Kilbride House.

The next #WritersWise is on Thursday 13th on PR and Marketing for Writers.

 

Trailer for Sheila’s new novel Kilbride House.

 

 

 

16th May with @RyanerWriter on ‘Things to do before you’re published.’ #WritersWise

#WritersWise is back with debut novelist of ’47 seconds’, Jane Ryan on the topic ‘Things to do before you’re published.’

Join us Thursday 16th May 9-10pm GMT.

47 Seconds by Jane Ryan purchase link here.

My interview with Jane Ryan on Indulgeme.ie here

 

Topic for #WritersWise – ‘Things to do before you are published.’

Introductions and Hullos.

Q1. Why is it important to prepare for publication?

Q2. What are the most important aspects to focus on weeks/months before publication?

Q3. What should you avoid or ignore coming up to publication?

Q4 What things are vital for weeks/days before publication?

Q5 What links or websites might help people in preparing for publication?

Closing Thoughts.

Remember to use the hashtag #WritersWise on every tweet for the hour on the 16th May 9-10pm GMT. Also think about clicking on purchase link to Jane’s book

47 Seconds by Jane Ryan purchase link here.

Our next tweet-chat is planned for June 6th with Sheila Forsey on the publication date of her novel Kilbride House.

 

 

‘Let’s talk Crime’ with Casey King on #WritersWise Thurs 7th Feb 9-10pm @letstalkcrime.

 

Casey King Casey King is a crime writer and crime fighter. Casey is from Cork, Ireland. With a Diploma in Policing Studies, Casey has ventured into writing police procedurals, as well as providing consultation for other crime writers.

Casey loves motivating those who have the will and potential to write; there is always a way. Casey has also been known to turn her hand to poetry, plays and short stories. Her Certificate in Human Resources Management may come in handy one day, along with the Script Writing course she has completed. Casey is currently working on a sequel to her debut novel. When not writing, she loves dancing, reading, art, meeting friends and has been known to mix up a mean cocktail. @letstalkcrime

Topic Police Procedurals – Let’s Talk Crime.

T1 Do you read/write police procedurals? What ones?

T2 What are the musts for writing police procedurals as a reader and a writer?

T3 What are the advantages of writing/reading police procedurals?

T4. Have you any questions on police procedures for Casey?

T5. Where can we go to learn police procedures other than ask the knowledgable Casey King here?

Closing thoughts.

Our next WritersWise chat is on the 21st Feb with Vivian Conroy.

Thursday 7th February – #WritersWise on 9-10pm GMT.  See you all then. 

 

#WritersWise Jan 27th 9-10pm GMT with @sharontwriter on ‘What Writers Need’.

 Join us on 27th Jan to kick off 2019

here on #WritersWise.

 

Topic for the chat ‘What do writers need?’

Q1. What support do you need as a writer?

Q2 What obstacles hinder writers writing.

Q3. Name ways you support writers.

Q4 Name organisations/websites or places which help writers.

Q5 Would anyone like to guest-host #WritersWise sometime in 2019?

Check out our guidelines on how to take part. It is easy. Just use #WritersWise on all your tweets for the hour, so that we can see you in the madness and fun of twitter.

We also want to help promote Sharon Thompson’s new novel ‘The Healer’. It is being published on 22nd January.

 https://amzn.to/2TQFOkp  https://amzn.to/2CpG4jb

 Sharon’s debut novel is available here –  The Abandoned

If you need support in your writing, check out Sharon’s online writing group Indulgeinwriting.com

See you all on twitter 24th Jan 9-10pm GMT for ‘What Writers Need.’

#WritersWise XMAS party & celebrating launch of My Virtual Life by Sharon Dempsey 20th Dec 9-10pm GMT.

Why not join us for a #WritersWise bash on 20th December 2018. The last for 2018! What a year it has been!!

Sharon Dempsey @svjdempz book My Virtual Life is out now and we’ll all celebrate our own virtual lives with her on the 20th too!

Link to Sharon’s book below. Congratulations Sharon and we will talk all things writing and Christmas on the 20th!

 

 

#WritersWise Delves into the #SelfPublishing world with @BRMaycock on 13th Dec 9-10PM GMT.

 

Transcript of Bernadette’s tweet-chat on Self Publishing.

Bernadette Maycock’s second novel ‘Snowday’ is out now Click here to view it.

Sometimes hot cocoa just isn’t enough to keep you warm in the snow…
Eloise is too busy juggling the chaos of three kids, an ever present ex-husband and a demanding boss to even remember the last time dating crossed her mind.
But as soft snow falls silently all around, romance twinkles with the flakes.
After being single for so long, Eloise suddenly has a lot of choices. Too many choices. Will anyone be worthy of melting the guard around her heart to let love in?
A fun-filled, festive read for fans of Christie Barlow, Fiona Gibson and Colleen Coleman.

Bernadette is also a top reviewer and book blogger. BRMaycock’s Book Blog.

Topic for Bernadette’s chat is ‘Self Publishing. What you always wanted to know.’

T1. Have you self-published? Read self-published books? Which ones?

T2. Do you notice or care if a book is self-published?

T3. What are the disadvantages of self-publishing?

T4. Advantages of self-publishing are…. 

T5. Tips for those thinking of self-publishing. 

Closing Thoughts. 

Next #WritersWise tweet-chat is with Sharon Dempsey @svjdempz to celebrate our XMas party and her latest book ‘My Virtual Life’ on 20th December. It will be our last #Writerswise of 2018!

 

 

November 22nd 9-10pm GMT #WritersWise making BIG Noise about @drlfarrell’s book, ‘Are you the f***ing doctor?’

Transcript of Dr Farrell’s chat.

Topic – Writing a Regular Column #Writerswise

T1 Where do you get the inspiration for your columns?

T2. How do you manage to hit deadlines?

T3 Does writing a column need discipline?

T4 How did you avoid breaching confidentiality?

T5 Did your editors have much input?

Closing Thoughts.

Here are the details of the BOOK!!!

We are DELIGHTED to say our own co-founder Dr Liam Farrell’s book is OUT NOW. ‘Are you the f***ing doctor?’

Dr Liam Farrell was a family doctor on the Irish border and is an award-winning writer and seasoned broadcaster. He was a columnist for the British Medical Journal for 20 years and currently writes for GP, the leading publication for general practitioners in the UK. He has also been a columnist for The Lancet, the Journal of General Practice, the Belfast Telegraph and the Irish News. He wrote the entry on sex for The Oxford Companion to the Body. On Twitter he curates #Irishmed, a weekly global ‘tweetchat’ on all medical issues.

‘I love Liam and his writing for three reasons. One, he tells it fearlessly like it is, as he is, and not under some sheepish pseudonym. Two, just because he tells it like it is, doesn’t mean it’s true. Like all great comic writers, he polishes a grain of truth until it’s a pearl of pleasure and beautifully-crafted debauchery that still smells true. Three, unless he’s been lying to me, Liam is a deeply flawed individual with a heart of gold whose life is even more interesting than the stuff he makes up.’ Dr Phil Hammond, author of ‘Trust me, I’m a doctor’ and Private Eye’s ‘MD’ columnist‘

A unique voice that combines insight, humour, and an often surreal style.’ Richard Smith, BMJ editor-in-chief 1991-2004‘

Razor sharp wit and allure. His personal account of his addiction is one of the most compelling I have ever read.’Chris Smith, The Naked Scientist

‘General practice is the great unknown. We stand on the cusp of the beyond.Science takes us only so far, then the maps stop in the grey areas of intuition,imagination and feelings: here be dragons. Lurching from heart-breaking tragedy to high farce, we are the Renaissance men and women of medicine; our art is intangible. Anything can walk through our door…’

Family doctor, Irishman, musician, award-winning author, anarchist and recovering morphine addict, Liam became a columnist for the BMJ in 1994. He went on to write for many major publications, winning a series of prestigious awards; in 2005, he was the first doctor to win Columnist of the Year in the Periodical Publishers Association awards.

The book contains a selection of Liam’s best work, from his columns, blogs and short stories.Brilliantly funny, glittering with literary allusion and darkly wicked humour, this book is much more than a collection of stand-alone anecdotes and whimsical reflections, rather a compelling chronicle of the daily struggles – and personal costs – of a doctor at the coalface.

Are you the f***ing doctor. Buy it here.

 

 

 

 

Should writers write what they know? Clar Ni Chonghaile. Normal time 9-10pm GMT Thurs 18th Oct. #WritersWise @clarnic

 

 

Transcript on the Tweet-chat with Clar Ni Chonghaile.

Introductions.

T1: Where do you stand on the advice that writers should only write what they know?

 T2: Do you think there are anything subjects you are not qualified/allowed to write about?

T3: When you are writing about something you don’t know, where do you go/what do you do to research a particular period or event to make sure the context is accurate?

 T4: Does your inspiration tend to come from personal knowledge or curiosity, or a combination of both?

 T5: What would your one-line maxim on writing be?

Closing thoughts.

 

Clar’s novel ‘the Reckoning’ launched on 15th October 2018. The Reckoning purchase link here

“I have a story to tell you, Diane. It is my story and your story and the story of a century that remade the world. When we reach the end, you will be the ultimate arbiter of whether it was worth your time. You will also sit in judgment on me.”

In a cottage in Normandy, Lina Rose is writing to the daughter she abandoned as a baby. Now a successful if enigmatic author, she is determined to trace her family’s history through the two world wars that shaped her life.

But Lina can no longer bear to carry her secrets alone, and once the truth is out, can she ever be forgiven?

Clár Ní Chonghaile stuns in her third book for Legend Press weaving a complex narrative covering conflict, secrets, judgement and what it takes to sever family ties.

 

Talk with Bloodhound Books Authors. Note time is 8-9pm GMT on 11th Oct. #ReadBHAuthors

Ever want to know what a group of authors think?

Join us and talk with a pack of hounds! Bloodhound Books authors (hounds) will be released into the wilds of twitter for an hour’s conversation on 11th Oct. 8-9pm GMT.

www.bloodhoundbooks.com link has the distinguished list of Bloodhound authors. There will be quite a few joining us for a frantic filled hour of fun.

Readers, emerging writers and ALL tweeters WELCOME.

Please note the one-off-new-time of 8-9PM GMT.

These are the questions to keep us as a pack.

T1. As we are crime writers, what crime writers do you read? Follow? Warning – Authors will share some of their links here. 🙂 

T2. What makes a successful crime novel for you as a reader/writer?

T3. What events are good for crime writers? Have you attended/talked at one? 

T4. What crime writing marketing is most effective in your opinion? (What might help you decide as a reader to buy a crime novel). 

T5. Have you a question you always wanted to ask a crime writer? Warning – there may be many different answers to your question. 

CT. Closing thoughts. 

Our next tweet-chat is 18th of October with Clar Ni Chonghaile on the launch of her new novel ‘The Reckoning’ and with the topic ‘Should writers write what they know?’

 

 

 

 

 

@OrlaMcAWrites Orla McAlinden #WritersWise on 20th Sept talks Swapping Genres Successfully. 9-10pm GMT. #TheFlightoftheWren.

20th Sept 9-10pm GMT. 

Topic: Swapping genres successfully from book to book.

T1: Do you have a favorite author who frequently swaps genre?

T2: Have you ever picked up a book by an author, whose work you know well, and been disappointed by an unexpected genre-switch?

T3: Have you ever decided not to read a book based on genre-specific cover art? Why? Did you ever change your mind, give it a try, and then love the book?

T4: Do you think prolific, genre-swapping writers should use pseudonyms or slightly different names/initals etc to distinguish their different types of books?

T5 : Do you think it’s more sensible to write what your established audience knows and enjoys, or to write the story that your heart desires to tell?

 

Orla McAlinden is a Pushcart Prize nominee, the Cecil Day Lewis emerging writer 2016, the winner of the BGEIBA Irish Short Story of the Year 2016 award, and other awards. Her debut collection The Accidental Wife won the 2014 Eludia Award from Sowilo Press in Philadelphia, and was published in July 2016.

Orla’s debut novel The Flight of the Wren and a second story collection Full of Grace will be published by Mentor Press, Dublin in Sep 2018 and January 2019 respectively.

 The Flight of the Wren

Ireland, 1848. Orphaned Sally Mahon has a choice to make. Lie down and die on the graves of her parents, or join the throngs of the dispossessed on the highways of Ireland. She turns her steps to the nearby town of Newbridge in Kildare, where she will carve a future for herself or die trying.

Tasmania, 1919. Spanish Flu sweeps through Hobart, travelling across the oceans with the soldiers returning from the war in Europe. Saoirse Gordon sits by her Grandmother’s sickbed. As the old woman cries out in her delirium, will the secrets Saoirse learns bring her peace, or destroy her forever? Have her Grandmother, her great-aunt and her mother been lying to her all her life? Saoirse races against time, and her grandmother’s illness, to unravel the secrets of her family.

Inspired by true events, the tales of real Irish women and girls weave throughout this poignant blend of fact and fiction. The Flight of the Wren explores the impact of the Irish famine of 1845-1849 on the women of Ireland. Acts of desperation, betrayal, courage and love illuminate this dark chapter of Ireland’s history in a complex and beautiful novel. Winner of the Cecil Day Lewis award 2016 and joint winner of the Greenbean Novel Fair 2016 at the Irish Writers Centre.

The Flight of the Wren purchase link here.

Our next #Writerswise tweet-chat is on Oct 11th with Sarah Webb. Children’s and YA author. @sarahwebbishere.

 

Writing sensitive, emotive topics in fiction with Jennie Ensor 13th Sept 9-10pm GMT.

Topic; Writing about difficult and emotive topics in fiction. 13th September 9-10pm.

Transcript of chat here.

Introductions and hullos. DON’T forget to use #WritersWise on ALL TWEETS for the hour.

T1. Do you ever read or write fiction with emotive, challenging and sensitive subject matter? (eg self harm, suicide, drug abuse, child abuse, sexual violence) Why? Why not?

T2. What are the essentials for writers to think of when tackling such challenging and sensitive topics?

T3. If the topics are personal to the writer, what might be the pitfalls?

T4. What books/authors do you feel cover difficult topics well? How do they achieve this?

Closing thoughts. 

 

A Londoner with Irish heritage, Jennie Ensor began her writing career as a journalist, obtaining a Masters in Journalism (winning two student awards) and covering topics from forced marriages to mining accidents. She isn’t afraid to tackle controversial issues in her novels, either – Islamic terrorism, Russian gangsters and war crimes in her debut Blind Side (Unbound, 2016); child abuse and sexual exploitation in her latest book THE GIRL IN HIS EYES, a dark psychological family drama to be published by Bloodhound Books on 18 September 2018.

Jennie Ensor’s short story ‘The Gift’ was placed in the Top 40 of the Words and Women national prose competition; her poetry has appeared in many publications, most recently Ink Sweat and Tears. In her spare time, Ms Ensor cycles, sings in a chamber choir and dreams of setting off on a long trip with her Kindle.

Author Links

Author website & blog: https://jennieensor.com

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JennieEnsorAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennie_Ensor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennieensor/

Jennie Ensor: www.jennieensor.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JennieEnsorAuthor
Twitter: @jennie_ensor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennieensor/

Forthcoming book THE GIRL IN HIS EYES out 18 September 2108, published by Bloodhound Books
http://www.bloodhoundbooks.com/news/2018/4/13/bloodhound-books-sign-jennie-ensor

BLIND SIDE (Unbound, 2016)
Paperback edition available from your local bookshop (UK only), including Waterstones and independent booksellers

Amazon (paperback & e-book): https://geni.us/bldsd

 

Our next #Writerswise is on Thursday 20th with Orla McAlinden on Genre Hopping Successfully. 

Writing Compelling Characters with Maria Hoey, Thurs 6th Sept 9pm GMT.

 

Topic for 6th September is, ‘How to write compelling characters.’

Format for the chat from 9-10pm GMT;

Introductions and hullos. 

T1 What is a compelling character?

T2 How can a writer create flawed but sympathetic characters?

T3 How can we keep our characters compelling throughout the course of the story?

T4 Is it possible to hate the main character in a book but still not be able to put it down?

Closing thoughts. 

Radio Interview with Maria Hoey.

Maria’s books are below.

Our guest-host is Maria Hoey, author of On Bone Bridge and The Lost Girl. Maria Hoey has been writing since she was eight years old. Her poetry has appeared in Ireland’s foremost poetry publication, Poetry Ireland, and her poems and short stories have also appeared in various magazines. In 1999, Maria won first prize in the Swords Festival Short Story Competition. In 2010, she was runner-up in the Mslexia International Short Story Competition and was also shortlisted for the Michael McLaverty Short Story Award. Her debut novel, The Last Lost Girl, was published in 2017 and was shortlisted for the Annie McHale Debut Novel Award 2017 and the Kate O’Brien Award 2018. On Bone Bridge being published in July 2018. Maria was raised in Swords, County Dublin, and has one daughter, Rebecca. She lives in Portmarnock with her husband Dr Garrett O’Boyle.

Our next #WritersWise chat is on Thursday 13th Sept with Jenni Ensor on Writing Fiction on difficult and sensitive topics. 

 

Aspects Festival talks Literary Festivals Programmes on 30th August 9-10pm GMT.

Transcript of the tweet-chat HERE

Aspects Festival website and details for 2018 events.

Chat on 30th August will be with programme and festival director Patricia Hamilton. 

Topic – Programmes for Literary Festivals. 

T1. What literary festivals do you like to attend? Hope to attend?

T2. What events do you/would you like to see at literary festivals?

T3. Do you speak at events and how do you get involved? 

T4. What are the advantages of attending festivals and events?

T5. Share the links to your writing events with us and pls RT Aspects website and details too. Thank you. 

Closing thoughts. 

The next #Writerswise will be with Maria Hoey on Writing Compelling Characters on 6th Sept.

 

Vivian Conroy back with us Talking Surviving being published & beyond.’ 9th August. 9-10pm GMT.

@Vivwrites. Vivian Conroy will celebrate the release of her new book with us.

Here is the transcript of the chat – Surviving Publishing and Beyond.

The Butterfly Conspiracy.  Her 10th book!!!! YES 10th. 

The Butterfly Conspiracy

Perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell mysteries comes the enchanting series debut from Vivian Conroy, The Butterfly Conspiracy.

In late Victorian times, when new inventions cause both excitement and terror, a mysterious death at a zoological lecture brings together two unlikely allies in a quest through London’s upper crust and underbelly to unravel the ingenious murder method and killer behind it.

Miss Merula Merriweather is not like other women her age: instead of hunting for a husband at balls and soirees she spends her time in a conservatory hatching exotic creatures. As the Royal Zoological Society won’t accept a woman’s accomplishments, she has her uncle Rupert take credit for her achievements. But at a zoological lecture, the guest of honor dies after contact with one of Merula’s butterflies, and Merula’s uncle is arrested for murder.

In an attempt to safeguard evidence to prove his innocence, Merula almost gets killed but for the timely interference of enigmatic Lord Raven Royston. Viewing natural history as a last resort to regain respectability lost by too many dubious business investments, Raven didn’t expect his first lecture to take a murderous turn. Feeling partially responsible because he encouraged Merula to release the gigantic butterfly from the glass case in which it was kept, Raven suggests they solve the puzzle of Lady Sophia’s sudden death together by looking closer at her relations with estranged friends, long suffering staff and the man groomed to be her heir, so close to her money and yet unable to touch any of it.

With the police looking for them, and every new discovery raising more questions than answers, especially about the murder method which left no traces of foul play on the body, Merula will have to risk her own life to get at the truth and save her uncle from the gallows in The Butterfly Conspiracy, Vivian Conroy’s enchanting series debut.

 

We are taking the topic ‘Surviving being published and beyond.’

T1. How do you know what idea to run with?

T2. Who do you listen to?

T3. Where can you find opportunities?

T4. How do you celebrate milestones?

T5. What makes publishing nerves easier and how to survive the stress?

Closing Thoughts. Next #WritersWise coming soon. 

 

Viv has planned her responses in this lovely graphic. 

Bernie McGill talks ‘Historical fiction and short story writing.’ Thurs 28th June.

Transcript of Bernie’s chat on Short stories and historical fiction.

Topic is; Historical fiction and short story writing.

introductions and hullos.

T1 Do you write short stories or longer fiction? Both? Why?

T2. Tips for writing short stories? Have we any?

T3 What draws you to historical fiction?

T4 What draws you to a particular location?

T5 What are you working on now?

CT – Closing thoughts.

Guest-host is Bernie McGill.

Bernie McGill is the author of Sleepwalkers, a collection of stories short-listed in 2014 for the Edge Hill short story prize, and of The Butterfly Cabinet (named in 2012 by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes as his novel of the year). Her latest novel, The Watch House, is set on Rathlin Island in 1898 at the time of the Marconi wireless experiments. She has been published in the UK, the US and in translation in Italy and the Netherlands. Her work has been placed in the Seán Ó Faoláin, the Bridport, and the Michael McLaverty short story prizes and she won the Zoetrope: All-Story award in the US in 2008. Her short fiction has appeared in acclaimed anthologies The Long Gaze Back, The Glass Shore and Female Lines, all by New Island Books, and for the theatre she has written The Haunting of Helena Blunden and The Weather Watchers. She works as a Creative Writing facilitator, as a Writer in Schools with Poetry Ireland, and as a Professional Mentor with the Irish Writers’ Centre. In September 2018 she takes up a Fellowship with the Royal Literary Fund at Queen’s University, Belfast.

www.berniemcgill.com

Evie Gaughan talks ‘Being a Hybrid Author.’ 21st June 9-10pm.

Transcript of Evie’s chat on Being a Hybrid author here.

Evie Gaughan is a novelist and lives in the medieval city of Galway, on the West Coast of Ireland. Her books are an eclectic mix of genres, incorporating her love of history, folklore and finding magic in the everyday. She graduated from the Universite de Paul Sabatier, Toulouse with a marketing diploma in 1996 and spent the next few years working abroad and discovering that she didn’t like marketing one bit. Evie abandoned the corporate world to follow her dream of becoming a writer and an artist. Since then, she has written two novels, The Heirloom and The Mysterious Bakery On Rue De Paris, and contributes articles to The Irish Times and Women Writers, Women’s Books.

Her third novel, The Story Collector, was published by Urbane this month (June 18).

 

Topic for the chat is – Being a Hybrid Author. 

Introductions and hullos. 9pm. Questions are posted at intervals until Closing thoughts at 10pm.

T1. What is a hybrid author?

T2. Benefits of self-publishing?

T3. Benefits of traditional publishing?

T4. Who can become a hybrid?

Closing thoughts.

Next #WritersWise in on 28th June with Bernie McGill on literary fiction.

‘How to write strong characters,’ with Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin @inkwell_HQ/@Samblakebooks on 14th June 9-10pm GMT.

Topic for Thursday 14th June is, ‘How to write strong characters.’

Transcript of tweet-chat

Introductions and if you have a protagonist tell us their name (or just gender and age)

T1. What are their (3) strengths and (3) weaknesses?

T2. In fiction, which characters have you loved, or hated?

T3. As a reader, what makes a well-rounded character?

T4. What are your tips for developing strong characters?

Closing thoughts.

Our guest-host is Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, who is founder of The Inkwell Group, a publishing consultancy and also of the hugely popular national writing resources website, Writing.ie.

Vanessa is also Ireland’s leading literary scout who has assisted many award winning authors and best-selling authors to publication. 

Vanessa is also #1 Best-selling author under her pseudonym Sam Blake. www.samblakebooks.com The third in her trilogy, ‘No Turning Back’, came out on May 17th and is available HERE

‘Trying to build a writing life? What might help?’ #WritersWise With #Indulgeinwriting @sharontwriter on 7th June 9-10pm.

 

 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

On Thursday 7th June, #WritersWise co-founder, Sharon Thompson will chat about ‘Building your Writing life’. All writers are welcome to join in from 9-10pm.

Introduction and T1. What is your writing life like? Describe it and share it here.

T2. What helps you most in building your writing life?

T3. What pitfalls made you stumble in creating your writing life?

T4. Where did you start or what would you recommend to those starting out?

T5. Are there any links, groups, events you’d recommend to other writers? Pls Share.

Closing thoughts.

Sharon Thompson @sharontwriter, is a number one best-selling author and she has started a writing group called Indulgeinwriting. It’s aim is to help writers to build their writing lives.

#Indulgeinwriting is an exclusive network of writers.

Connect with established and establishing writers. Have real, sustained support at your finger-tips from those who ‘get writing’. Join our wonderful community for links and expert opinions on writing and getting published.

Build your writing life and #Indulgeinwriting.

Contact us.

• Meet writers who have succeeded in their writing careers, those who write for pleasure and those who are on the road to publication.
• Hear, see and learn skills from established people in the writing industry.
• Network and build your writing CV/brand.
• Have access to private social media forums for tips and opinions.
• Establish your social media networks and expand your knowledge of writing.
• Simply indulge your passion for writing.

Check out the full website www.indulgeinwriting.com and join in the #Writerwise tweet-chat. Check out #indulgeinwriting You-tube for some of the material that is available to members.

Next #WriterWise is on 14th June with Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin @inkwellHQ

 

 

‘How to use twitter effectively as a writer.’ 31st May with @Pauldunphy

Transcript of the chat with Paul Dunphy.

We have the king of social media, Paul Dunphy with us on the 31st, to discuss ‘How to use twitter effectively as a writer.’

Our questions to frame the conversation from 9-10pm GMT, are;

Introductions and hullos.

T1 Do you pin a tweet? Why you should?

T2 How often to tweet, retweet?

T3 Best times of the day to tweet?

T4 Why you should tweet about other interests besides books!?

Closing thoughts. (CT)

We are thrilled to have a social media consultant with such experience join us on #WritersWise. Paul works with writers a great deal and he has a free slot for a new client at the moment, so book him now, you won’t regret it! More at www.pauldunphyesquire.com

Paul Dunphy Esquire. 

Paul has over 20 years experience in all forms of media and branding.  Having worked with the charity sector for 14 years as a Media and Communications Executive, he has a wealth of experience of using all forms of media.  Paul then went out on his own 6 years ago and after building up his own brand online in particular on Twitter, he then started his own social media business www.pauldunphyesquire.com as he loves social media so much.

Paul is a social media consultant and curator and you can find out all about what he can do for you at his new webpage www.pauldunphyesquire.com

Using acquired experience, Paul can guarantee to make you social media soar, using his positivity and fun to guarantee success.  As one of his endorsements Gavin Duffy from Dragons Den says ‘In a world filled with noise, Paul brings an energy and humour to the social media platform worth listening to. Paul’s voice online is discerning, clever and smart. He can engage with multiple voices creating fun, lively conversations worth listening too.” 

More endorsements on his webpage from author Marian Keyes, broadcaster Tom Dunne and others.

Join us to chat with Paul on May 31st, for a whole, free hour!

Thank you in advance Paul and ….

Our next #WritersWise chat will be with Lorna Sixsmith on the 7th June.

Andrea Mara on ‘Writing a Second Book.’ 17th May 9-10pm GMT.

 Transcript of the chat with Andrea Mara.

Podcast summary of the chat with Andrea by #WritersWise co-founder Sharon Thompson.

Topic – ‘Writing that second book’  on #Writerswise 17th May.

Introductions and hullos.

T1. Are second books really a challenge – is the “difficult second album” thing true?

T2. Do readers expect more of the same or want something different?

T3. What are the pitfalls when writing a second book?

T4. Is the book promotion side of it easier second time around?

Closing Thoughts.

Who is the guest-host? 

Andrea Mara is a freelance writer, author, and blogger, who lives in Dublin with her husband and three young children. She writes lifestyle features for Irish newspapers and magazines, and has won a number of awards for blogging. She attempts – often badly – to balance work, family, and writing, then lets off steam on her blog, OfficeMum.ie. 

Her first book, The Other Side of the Wall (Poolbeg Press) and was published in 2017 and shortlisted for the Kate O’Brien Award in 2018.  Her second book One Click is out now in bookstores and on Amazon.

One Click

One photo couldn’t hurt, could it?

Publication date: May 1st (Poolbeg Press)

Amazon link here

When Lauren takes a photo of a stranger on a beach and shares it online, she has no idea what will come of that single click.

Her daughters are surprised that she posted a photo without consent, but it’s only when she starts to get anonymous messages about the woman on the beach that she deletes the photo. It’s too little too late, and the messages escalate, prompting Lauren to confess to the woman. The woman has her own dark story, one that might explain the messages, but Lauren isn’t convinced. Then her ex-husband begins to harass her, telling her she shares too much online and brought this on herself.

She’s also dealing with other problems. A difficult client at work – one who starts to show up in places he shouldn’t be. Her younger daughter is behaving out of character and Lauren can’t work out what’s wrong. And the cracks are literally beginning to show in her old South Dublin house, mirroring the cracks in her carefully curated life.

Meanwhile, the messages from the internet troll become more personal and more vindictive. Her friends feel she should stand up to her stalker, but Lauren isn’t so sure. And then she makes one small mistake that brings everything tumbling down.

Our next chat is on May 31st with Paul Dunphy Esq the fabulous social media and marketing guru!

 

 

Writing Across Genres. It CAN be done. Sharon Dempsey joins us 26th April.

Writing Across Genres Transcript of chat with Sharon Dempsey.

 

Sharon Dempsey writes across many genres and will delve into how we all can do it. The pitfalls and the ways to do it well, will be covered in the hour long chat, on 26th April 9-10pm.

Sharon Dempsey is a Belfast based writer of fiction and non-fiction books, with four health books published. Her crime debut Little Bird was released July 2017 with Bloodhound Books. Her contemporary fiction novel, A Posy of Promises, will be published by Bombshell Books in June.

She facilitates therapeutic creative writing classes for people affected by cancer and other health challenges and runs a creative writing group for young people, called Young Scribblers, at the Crescent Arts Centre. She tutors at Queen’s University and Stranmillis College. She has written for a variety of publications and newspapers, including the Irish Times.

Sharon is working on the follow up to Little Bird and a collection of dark short stories.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sharon-Dempsey/e/B001JP4MYK

Social media info:

Twitter @svjdempz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharondempseybooks/

Blog: www.1stchapterdempsey.wordpress.com

Topic is; ‘Writing across genres. You can do it and how to.’

Introductions and hullos.

T1. What genres do you read and write in?

T2. What are the advantages of reading/writing across genres?

T3. What pitfalls are there to writing in many genres?

T4. What tips could you give to write across genres?

T5. How can readers help writers who write across genres?

Closing Thoughts. (CT)

 

 

 

 

 

Historical Fiction tweet-chat Thurs 5th April @CarolineBusher.

On Thursday 5th April 9-10 pm GMT and 4-5pm ET Caroline Busher will talk historical fiction with us. Her recent appearance on the TV3 Ireland AM couch to talk about children’s literature is testament to her rising profile.

Question for the chat are;

Introductions – hullos and what you write/read/want to say.

T1. When writing historical fiction, how much research should you conduct?

T2.  How do you decide which period in history to write about?

T3. Do you have to write about well known figures/events for your book to be a success?

T4. How relevant is historical fiction to the modern reader?

Closing Thoughts.

Details about Caroline are;
Author, Heritage Expert – The Heritage Council – Heritage in Schools Scheme
Festival Manager – Towers and Tales – Lismore Castle. Vice Chair – Wexford Literary Festival

www.carolinebusher.wordpress.com

https://twitter.com/CarolineBusher

https://www.instagram.com/carolinebusher

Caroline is an experienced tweet-chatter with us, so this will be a frantic, fun-filled hour. She’s a children’s literary expert and her beautiful book ‘The Girl Who Ate the Stars’ is out now! 

Cuan wakes from her sleep. She has claws like daggers and glowing amber eyes. Her dress is made from the petals of black roses and she wears a necklace made of thorns. An ill wind blows, and a pack of bloodthirsty wolves appears….

As World War 11 rages, Lottie and Albert Hope are evacuated from England. They are sent to Kilbree, a village in Ireland where nothing is as it seems.

A German bomb is dropped in error there by a young pilot. It opens a portal to another world, Wolf Land, which is ruled by the evil Deathhound and his Werewolf Warriors.

Lottie and Albert, together with their gypsy friend Blaise and the pilot Gunther cross the portal to that savage world.

They are on a mission. They must find Wolf Girl call Cuan a girl with two hearts, one human,one wolf, who eats the stars to survive. In a race against time, they must rescue her from Wold Land.

A terrifying future awaits them all if the portal between the two worlds closes forever.

Buy Here.

 

Contemporary Crime Fiction with @MrDBLyons on 22nd Thurs 9-10pm. Launching his debut novel ‘Midday’ with us.

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ycjcda2j

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y9wvk9zw

Bio:

David B. Lyons is a former award-winning journalist-turned-author. He is a writer of psychological thrillers, the first of which – Midday – was compared to the writing of Quentin Tarantino by Bookstormer: “For me he is the Tarantino of the book world.” Not a bad start to life as an author! He signed a three-book publishing deal with Bloodhound Books at the tail end of 2017.

David grew up in Dublin – the city his novels are set – but currently spends his time between Birmingham in the UK and the Irish capital. He is married to a Brummie, Kerry, and they have one daughter, Lola.

He has also lectured in Creative Writing in colleges and universities in both Ireland and in the UK.

Follow David here:
Twitter: @MrDBLyons
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorDavidBLyons/

Topic is ‘Contemporary Crime fiction and Submitting’.

Intro/Hullos and what you like to read/write.

T1. What contemporary crime fiction do you read/write?

T2. What are the advantages of writing contemporary fiction in general.

T3 What is difficult about contemporary fiction?

T3. Where do you submit contemporary crime fiction?

T5. Tips for submitting in this genre are…

Closing thoughts. (CT)

Transcript of David’s chat on contemporary crime fiction.

Next #WritersWise is with Caroline Busher on 5th April.