WOWO 27 May 2021

We reach our last Thursday of Zoom Sessions for the current season. A long summer break stretches out ahead of us. Time to recharge the batteries and to build up a store of writing for when we resume again towards the end of August.

At that stage we will be preparing for the launch of our two books A Day for Red by Anne McManus and The Write-on Anthology 2022. Friday 17 September 2021 is Culture Night and, once again, we are planning a spectacular evening of Short Stories, Poems and Memories as we launch the 7th and 8th books of our Write-on Series.

Before all of that, there is a tiny matter of The Mug of the Month Competition for May 2021 to be resolved. The keywords are FREE and DIRECT. The winner of this week’s event will get to keep Mugsy for the entire summer. Now, that is something worth contending for. Here are the entries:

MOTM 01 Free Advice by James Keogh

MOTM 02 Call to Art by Nollaig O’Donnell

MOTM 03 Covid 19 by Elizabeth Hannon

MOTM 04 Free At Last by Anne Murray

MOTM 05 Ryanair v Covid by Jutta Rosen

MOTM 06 Dream Vacation Ad! by Judith Davitt Geoghegan

MOTM 07 Fake News by Mary Rose Tobin

Other items will include:

POEM: Universe Without God by James Keogh

DISCUSSION: Preparing for Bloomsday Event on 16 June 2021

WOWO 20 May 2021

As the vaccine rollout increases, many of us are finding our way outdoors again, emerging from the gloom of lockdown. We are advised and encouraged to find outdoor activities, so I expect our intrepid group of writers will be taking laptops, notebooks and pens out into the fresh air. Summer will also be a time to re-charge the batteries and we are looking forward to our annual break.

Many of us formulate and shape our short stories, poems and songs during the summer months and squirrel them away so that they can be carefully unfurled in the autumn and winter months. It is said that all writers are ‘magpies’ – from everywhere and anywhere, we gather up bits and pieces of material for use later in our work. I contend that we are also like squirrels. Like the nimble and bushy-tailed animal, we store up treasures for later use.

Whats on Write-on (WOWO)?

This week’s treasures include:

Short Story: Eva and Franz by Jutta Rosen

Poem: Old Shoes by Thomas MacMahon

Poem: Material Greed by James Keogh

Discussion: Open invitation to present a short story, poem or song that you find enthralling, so that other members may discover the ‘treasures’ that you have unearthed on your journey towards becoming a writer.

See you all from 7pm – 9pm at our Zoom session.

NOTE FOR DIARIES

Don’t forget BLOOMSDAY Special reading of Ulysses Episode 1 by James Joyce.

On Zoom, Wednesday 16 June from 8pm-9pm.

WOWO 13 May 2021

What’s on Write-on this evening.

Short Story: A Memorable Day by Anne Murray

10-Minute Writing Exercise based on A Memorable Day: Frank Fahy will guide us through a short story ending. Keep paper and pens to hand!

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell presented by Mary Rose Tobin

Ulysses by James Joyce – a bluffer’s guide by Frank Fahy

Presentations

Young Biddie Greene by James Keogh

Tranquil Galway Bay by James Keogh

WOWO 6 May 2021

Mug of the Month Result

What a fantastic result last week! For the first time ever, our MUG OF THE MONTH award went overseas. Celia Scully, from Boise, Idaho, USA was the deserving winner. Her MOTM entry was A COTTAGE SHOP FOR SALE. Using the inspiration of our two keywords STOP and SHOP, she devised an intricate tale in 50 words to win the plaudits of the entire group. As it happens, in second place only one vote behind was our entry from Germany, NEW MEDIA by Jutta Rosen. Again, a well-crafted story told in 50 words about how a tattoo parlour has replace the old news agency in the neighbourhood. It never ceases to amaze how so much diversity and unique insights can be generated by the prompt of two simple words. Will there be an Irish winner this month? Or will the prize go abroad again? Now that Mugsy has had international acclaim, he might never want to come back!

Let’s see What’s On Write-on (WOWO) this week.

Presentations

Poem: The Dapper Stevo by James Keogh

Poem: Amateur Dramatics by James Keogh

Poem: Snowdrops by Thomas MacMahon

Reading

Short Story: The Barred Window (Part 2) by Jutta Rosen

Discussion

My Favourite Book, Short Story, Poem, Song, Memoir – members are invited to share their favourite piece of writing with the group. By reading extracts, we can highlight what it is that attracts us to a particular tale and it is hoped that by exploring the likes and dislikes of other people, we will uncover some hidden gems that we might have previously overlooked.

Already we have received extracts from various published pieces.

Mid-Term Break by Seamus Heaney Presented by Jack Ryan

Nell by Nell McCafferty Presented by Anne Murray

The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey Presented by Jutta Rosen

A Small Good Thing by Raymond Carver Presented by Frank Fahy

This promises to be an entertaining and worthwhile feature that we hope to repeat over the coming sessions. We may not get through all of our selections in one evening so those that are not read or discussed tonight will roll over to next week.

We have a wide and varied selection of pieces and we look forward to a lively exposition and discussion about each person’s choice of material.

See you all at 7pm in the usual Zoom meeting hall!

WOWO 29 April 2021

It’s our last meeting in the month of April and it’s MUG OF THE MONTH time once again. Who will carry off Mugsy into the first of the summer months? As the days of Lockdown seem numbered, perhaps the defending Champion, Nollaig, will be able to make the presentation in person before too long?

This month, the keywords were STOP and SHOP. There are nine contestants as follows:

MOTM 01 Kids Today by Elizabeth Hannon

MOTM 02 A Cottage Shop for Sale by Celia Scully

MOTM 03 Believe It Or Not? by Frank Fahy

MOTM 04 On Line Shopping by Anne Murray

MOTM 05 STOP … SHOP by Geraldine Warren

MOTM 06 Lollipop by James Keogh

MOTM 07 Consumer Confidence by Mary Rose Tobin

MOTM 08 New Media by Jutta Rosen

MOTM 09 One Stop Shop by Anne McManus

Good luck to all our contestants!

Saturday 1 May is the closing deadline for submitting articles to The Write-on Anthology 2022. Remember, all items that are displayed and discussed at our meetings are automatically considered for inclusion in the Anthology. Unfortunately, there is not room for every single piece and certain editorial judgements have to be made. We try to have a representative collection of interesting stories, poems, memoirs and songs, and to maintain the high standards that we have set ourselves down through the years.

We have six readings this week.

Story 01 Me and My Mirror by Elizabeth Hannon

Story 02: The Barred Window by Jutta Rosen

Poem 03 The Boat by Thomas MacMahon

Poem 04 (Limerick): Easing Restrictions by Anne Murray

Memoir 05: Memories of Racing by Frank Fahy

Poem 06: Warriors of Aran by James Keogh

WOWO 22 April 2021

Another week comes flying around. Where does the time go? Write-on members, these are the last few days for sending in material for The Write-on Anthology 2022. Oh yes! Do you remember when 1 May 2021 was first mentioned as a deadline? May? The First of May? Sure that’s a long way off! Plenty of time to write lots of stories and poems and even some songs and memoirs! But first? A cup of tea…

Now, look! The First of May is almost upon us! Nine.. yes.. 9 days left to submit material for this year’s Anthology. The good news is that not everyone left it until the last minute. Already, we have enough material to create quite a substantial tome. However, in the interest of fairness towards all, we will wait until midnight on 1 May, to make the final selections.

This week, we have an abundance of material to present to you. Let’s look at the proposed WOWO for Thursday 22 April.

What’s On Write-On

Poem: Whispers from China by James Keogh

Poem: The Senses Allowed by Nollaig O’Donnell

Poem: Raise High the Rib Cage, Mama by Celia Scully

Poem: Crows Cawing by James Keogh (reprise)

Poem: Waxing Moon by James Keogh

Short Story: Extract from novel The Foundling Hospital by Mary Rose Tobin

Short Story: Charter Flight by Anne McManus

Old Favourites (produced for SiarSceal)

Song & Story: Skibereen Breeders by Sean MacGrath with Joyce Butcher

Poem: Riddle of the Garden by Nollaig O’Donnell

Poem: Childhood by Niamh O’Neill

Poem: Home on the Wild Atlantic Way by Thomas MacMahon read by Michael Farry

Poem: One Moment in Time by Elizabeth Hannon read by Michael Hannon

Poem: Claddagh Ring by Sean McGrath

WOWO 15 April 2021

Following our Easter break, we are looking forward to resuming our Write-on sessions from 7pm-9pm every Thursday. People have been busy during the break, and we have a packed series of readings and presentations to keep everyone entertained. We won’t have time to fit them all in this week and some items will be held over until the following week.

Here are some of the items you can expect:

Readings

Short Story: New Bike by Jack Ryan

Short Story: No Room at the Inn by Mary Rose Tobin

Extract from Novel: Addiction To Murder by Frank Fahy

Presentations

Poem: Trust by Anne McManus

Poem: Crows Crowing by James Keogh

Poem: Lesson for Life by Thomas MacMahon

Poem: Pity the Poor Shoehorn by Celia Scully

Poem: Waiting by Anne McManus

Poem: Whispers from China by James Keogh

Poem: News Speeds ‘Round by Celia Scully

Short Story: Her Pride and Joy by Anne Murray

WOWO 25 March 2021

To begin with, CELEBRATION TIME!

The new Write-on publication A DAY FOR RED – A Collection of Short Stories by Anne McManus was published this week.

Drawing on her life experience in the West of Ireland and her fertile imagination, Anne brings us this sparkling collection which glitters with wit and wisdom. Between these covers you will find a potpourri of romance, love, infidelity, tragedy, comedy, betrayal and friendship, served up with a generous helping of quirky humour, personified in her marvellous character creations, Granny Margot and Bridie. This is a book for lovers of the short story form, which will reward the reader with fresh insights into the vagaries of the human condition.

We will begin our session tonight with a reading from the author.

It’s MUG OF THE MONTH TIME again. The KEYWORDS are TREAT and PLAN. This evening, we have seven entries. The reigning champion, Anne McManus, will present the coveted MUGSY to the winner after all the votes are counted.

The entries are:

MOTM 1 Best Laid Plans by Mary Faherty

MOTM 2 Freedom by Anne Murray

MOTM 3 Life in a Blink by Judith Davitt Geoghegan

MOTM 4 The Treat That Wasn’t by Celia Scully

MOTM 5 What Next? by Mary Rose Tobin

MOTM 6 The Good Life by Nollaig O’Donnell

MOTM 7 17th March 461 by Jutta Rosen

Readings by the authors of works in progress:

DRAFT POEM: A new draft poem by Thomas MacMahon

SCENE FROM NOVEL: Addiction To Murder by Frank Fahy

VIDEO PRESENTATION: Prism by Mary Faherty

VIDEO PRESENTATION: Breaking the Ice by Jutta Rosen

WOWO 18 March 2011

After all the excitement of our St Patrick’s Day Murder Mystery, we resume our normal activities tonight with another great line-up of Stories and Poems from our prolific group of writers. Again, a huge thanks to Anne Murray who has worked so hard to research photographs and images in order to enhance the written word. All of the presentations are of excellent quality thanks to Anne’s diligence.

Donning her other cap, Anne will host the first part of the meeting where our authors get a chance to display ‘works in progress’ in order to get feedback and comments from our members. This evening we have three such works which will be read by the authors:

Extract from Novel: Chapter 3 of Victorian Novel by Debbie Roberts

Short Story Idea: Descendo by Jutta Rosen

Extract from Novel: Addiction to Murder by Frank Fahy

The second part of the meeting will be hosted by Frank Fahy. Once again, we have a variety of material which will be presented in video format.

STORY: Manu by Joyce Butcher

POEM: What If? by Geraldine Warren

POEM: A Baptism by Jutta Rosen

POEM: A Get Well Card by Nollaig O’Donnell

POEM: Another Paddy’s Night by Mary Faherty

POEM: Moon of Love by Thomas MacMahon

We look forward to meeting you all from 7:00pm – 9:00pm at our Zoom Session!

WOWO Thursday 11 March 2021

We have another packed programme of events this Thursday 11 March starting at 7pm (Irish Time) and finishing at 9pm.

Once again, Anne Murray will take the chair for the first part of the meeting. After her excellent debut last week, Anne will guide us through the various readings by the authors.

Here is the Menu for What’s On Write-on (WOWO) this evening.

Story: Spirit Night by Thomas MacMahon

Story: It Could Not Happen by Elizabeth Hannon

Poem: Black Veils – In Memory by Judith Davitt Geoghegan

Story: Extract from Victorian Novel by Debbie Roberts

Story: Manu by Joyce Butcher (Australia)

The second part of the session has a variety of video presentations of stories and poems that are at a more finished stage.

Frank Fahy will chair this portion of the session.

Welcome to our new member from USA, Celia Scully. We will start with her first poem for Write-on.

Poem: Saffron by Celia Scully

Poem: Civil Service by Anne Murray

Poem: Prism by Mary Faherty

Story: My First Book by Frank Fahy

Also on display will be the Cover of A DAY FOR RED by Anne McManus. Anne’s Collection of Short Stories will be going for printing early next week.