Month: December 2024

As Write-On Year 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on a truly remarkable twelve months. This year brought the publication of three books, a wealth of creative contributions from talented members, and an ever-expanding community of writers. Together, we’ve explored new techniques, savored live gatherings, and cherished the warmth, camaraderie, and collaboration that define our group.

To wrap up the year in style, we’re thrilled to present a rich programme of festive delights. Expect a vibrant mix of songs, short stories, poems, memoirs, comedy sketches, and more, all brought to life with animated segments featuring characters who just might feel familiar! It promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with emotion, humour, charm, inspiration, and exuberance.

Looking ahead to 2025, we feel excited and confident about the continued growth and evolution of our group. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Frank Fahy, Anne Murray, Mary Hodson, Mary Rose Tobin, and every contributor and participant who has played a part in making our gatherings such a tremendous success. Here’s to another extraordinary year of writing, sharing, and thriving together!

Programme

Introduction We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Memoir Christmas Memories Eileen Miller

Poem The Lone Holly Tree Mary Hodson

Short Story My Palestinian Plum Pudding Jutta Rosen

Christmas Wish Bill & Judith Geoghegan

Poem Happy Christmas James Conway

Song The Robin Frank Fahy

Song One big Solitary Tear Geraldine Warren

Short Story Santa’s Letter Mary Hodson

Poem Let Peace Be the Brightest Star James Conway

Comedy Piece Write-On Carol Service MaryRose Tobin

Song Write-On Christmas Song 2024

Song Death in December Geraldine Warren

Song Come Take My Hand Bill Geoghegan

Song Friends Grit Metsch

Short Story Christmas Miracle Seamus Keogh

Poem Childhood Memory Anne McManus

If time permits, we have more Christmas stories, poems, songs and memories to be enjoyed!

This is our last meeting before our Christmas Special next week. We offer a varied programme of prose, poetry and song, as well as the chance to examine a masterpiece of short story writing by a renowned craftsman.

Our new member, Veronica O’Neill, is presenting an unusual genre, a prose poem, where the stark realities of nature remind her of similar rites of passage in her own biography. Unusual and riveting.

The first excerpt from Seamus Keogh‘s novel continues last week’s account, which left Paudie in a dramatic situation. Later, a new scenario has two sisters defying tradition and social expectations against the backdrop of a lively folk festival. Vivid descriptions bring scenes and activities to life.

Geraldine Warren‘s poem captures the emotions of rejection and longing after the breakup of a very intimate relationship. Unspoken is the age-old question of how it could come to this!

The excitement of a child unwrapping her Christmas present is the theme of Deirdre Anne Gialamas’s heart-warming poem ‘The Shiny Red Couch’ – treasured memories that most people can relate to.

James Conway‘s poem ‘In a Picture’ brings an ancient photo to life, with tapping feet and happy smiles from a time when floors were strewn with sawdust, and Christmas brought the menfolk home from England. The joys of Christmasses long ago!

The song ‘Come Take My Hand’ celebrates two people dealing with life’s uncertainties side by side. Bill Geoghegan’s powerful lyrics will speak to many of us, offering comfort and a sense of solidarity.

‘Show, don’t tell’ is the key to the interpretation of this seemingly simple tale by the master story-teller Raymond Carver. Analysing his narrative techniques will benefit anyone and everyone who enjoys writing similar texts.

Once again, we offer a wonderful variety of original works to generate enjoyment, inspiration, discussion, and a feeling of interaction and connectivity. All members and visitors are welcome to participate!

Programme

Prose Poem Otter Veronica O’Neill

Novel Extract from: A Stained Collar 1 Seamus Keogh

Novel Extract from: A Stained collar 2 Seamus Keogh

Poem Death in December Geraldine Warren

Poem The Shiny Red Couch Deirdre Anne Gialamas

Poem In a Picture James Conway

Song Come Take My Hand Bill Geoghegan

Discussion Why Don’t You Dance? by Raymond Carver All Members

The busy Christmas season has opened, but our creative writers are still producing! Welcome to another session with works by our talented members.

Held over from last week, Deirdre Anne Gialamas is developing a strong personal style, with her own rich use of language. This cryptic poem is an example, and we look forward to her own comments on it!

Seamus Keogh is one of our original members, and has produced poems which have earned him admiration and awe from his fellow writers. Here he melds images from nature to lament the passing of a sister. A jewel of a poem.

A small child tries to come to grips with the illness of her father, aided by her little dog Ollie. Clare O’Malley’s charming story, related through the eyes of the child, continues this evening. Though intended for children, it captivates the adult heart too.

A warm welcome to our new member, Veronica O’Neill! She’s introducing herself with two texts (not really short stories) about observations of nature, keenly observed, lyrically described, and linked to personal human moments. Magical texts, Veronica. Thank you for joining our group!

Another established poet in Write-On is James Conway. His verses this evening are a homage to Gerard Manley Hopkins, Jesuit and secret poet, who refused to allow his poems to be published during his lifetime. Since then they have influenced many other famous artists. His mystical and innovative style is perfectly reflected in James’s poem this evening.

Seamus Keogh is not only a gifted poet, but has also embarked on a novel, from which we hear extracts all too rarely. Tonight’s offering is eagerly awaited, for Seamus is also an accomplished story-teller, who knows how to keep his readers on the edge of their seat.

All in all, we offer an interesting mix of genres in this session, so that we are sure all those attending will enjoy another entertaining and stimulating two hours of culture!

Programme

Poem unNatural World Deirdre Ann Gialamas

Poem An Cathaoir Folamh Seamus Keogh

Short Story Rachel & Ollie (Part 2 of 3) Clare O’Malley

Short Story Sparrow Hawk Veronica O’Neill

Poem Gerard Manley Hopkins James Conway

Short Story Otter Veronica O’Neill

Novel Extract Paudie McCoy Railway Scene Seamus Keogh