I’ve been studying pretty much non-stop since I moved back into Ireland in 2007. I started by doing the last stage of my Theology degree by distance learning and then straight away started the Masters programme. If you read my Next Big Thing post I mentioned that the project I was about to embark on was my M.A. dissertation. Well I pondered it for a while and in the meantime had to majorly edit/rewrite a paper I’d already submitted.
I’ve been working on the MA for almost 4 years. My eye trouble slowed me down and after the cornea transplant I never really caught up. Then a year ago I started to write fiction and I’ll be honest, I let it distract me even further. It was too enjoyable to resist.
If I’m gonna graduate there must be cake!
So I’ve decided to take a long break from the M.A. Today I handed in the last paper – for now. Presuming I pass it, I’ll be able to graduate with a Post Grad Diploma in Applied Theology and because I’ve finished properly I can step back into the programme to do the dissertation stage and finish the M.A.
You know some decisions in life that are really hard? Well this one wasn’t. It was simple. Bottom line I want to be free to write about what two people on a park bench might say to each other.
Next to The Bible – the best book ever!
I am so grateful to the team at the Irish Bible Institute who’ve always been so supportive and when recently I was going to throw the towel in, they encouraged me to finish well and bow out in a way that left the door open for me to continue where I left off.
So… I can finally read Pride and Prejudice again. Before my studying started I read it every year since I discovered it. I plan to read lots of other stuff too and write plenty as well.
First stop – The Tribe Writers course by Jeff Goins. I’ve registered but til now have only dabbled.
This post is in response to a writing challenge on The Write Practice website that was set by Bryan Hutchinson. The challenge is to take a random quote and write a post about it. Funnily enough, there’s been a quote rambling around my head all week… about freedom.
I remember it clearly; walking out the door into the sunlight thinking… “that’s the last Chemistry class I’ll ever have to take.”
I do not know why I took Chemistry for my Leaving Cert (A Levels/High School finals).
It didn’t matter – it was over and I was free!
I walked through the park that connected the school to the road I lived on and I could see classmates ripping pages out of books and throwing them in the river. I would have loved to do that but wouldn’t have been brave enough! 😉 The next day in school there was an announcement to say that local residents had reported the ‘book ripping’ to the school. Our vice principal said that if we wanted to rip our books to shreds that was our right – but we were to do it at home! He said that we were free from school and from studying if that’s what we wanted (though he didn’t recommend that). Then he said… and I’ll ALWAYS remember his words…
“You are not free live as you choose but you are free to choose how you live. So choose wisely.”
I’ve been thinking about it over the last few days as I’ve seen photos of family graduating, and finishing school; ready to head out into the big bad world. It’s great that there’s no more homework! I loved that – my plan was to get a job and at the end of the working day walk away and leave it behind me. (Then I went into hairdressing and spent a lot of time doing hair for family at home! ehhh helloooo? :D)
So I wanted to shout out to those who are finishing up school and heading off into the future towards adult life and just say… Well done! Go out there and LIVE your life. Pursue that career, follow your dreams, work hard and take care of yourself.
Remember to choose wisely not just what you do with your life but how you live it!
By the way if you’re looking for REAL and permanent freedom… try this inspiring quote for size… Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31b,32
Let me get one thing straight before I start. You know that phrase, “it’s not you… it’s me”?
Well I’m fairly sure it’s you!
I used to have so much fun with you. You were a place for great craic, plenty of banter and discussion about stuff I knew little about. I was ok with that, it was an education. I followed lots of people for lots of reasons and created my lists so I could look at writers and family and Christians etc separately if I wanted to.
I’ve spent a lot of time building my profile in your world. I’m no Nicki Minaj (on many levels) but 3000 followers is not nothing – and me trying to establish myself as some sort of writer, it’s a good place to be in.
I’ve met some clever people along the way, with differing views about differing subjects. Sometimes I was brave enough to chip in, other times I’d just sit and watch it go by.
I remember the first time I saw #vinb. I thought the world had gone mad. I watched the programme a couple of times and quickly realised it wasn’t for me. But the hashtag was enough anyway. At first it was entertaining to see folk set their hair on fire about stuff. Then I noticed #rtept, #marian, #miriam and #twip, and it seemed some folk only appeared on Twitter when these hashtags were burning bright.
Something changed a few months ago and suddenly you weren’t so much fun anymore. A couple of topics rose to the surface and you became a place where I had to put up or shut up. Differing opinions were no longer welcome. The minority voice which in economic and social subjects was championed, was now told to be silent.
The senator, the professor, the clergymen, the I.I. director and most of that ilk get hauled over the coals every time they open their mouths. Insulted, criticised, mocked and hung out to dry. On the rare occasion someone gets a slap on the wrist for mocking, the wagons are circled… “poor you – how could anyone be so mean….?”
Eh, yeah… that was my question, but about you – not to you.
I tried to be brave and stepped in a few times, but I was out of my depth. I watch as the overzealous fringe of Christian opinion is regularly dragged through your streets RT’d and RT’d again so everyone can have a good laugh.
In that last few days I’ve watched the RTs stack up of the clip of the New Zealand MP and his hilarious account of some of the contact he’s had from people who disagreed with him. He had the whole of the chamber in stitches laughing as he described some of the comments, he did a clever science experiment & used a Bible verse to seal the deal (completely out of context, but hey the Christians do it; so what?!). It was like an episode of Mock the Week, or is it ‘mock the weak’?
I suppose I could just unfollow a load of people, or re-jig my lists. Grab one of my gay friends who I love (and who love me back) and ask them to assure you that I’m not homophobic. Explain how love for family, childlessness, & love for life are as much reasons for my prolife stance as any Bible verse I may wave at you. But Twitter, you steal my voice, you silence me. I sit at an empty blog post, finger poised over the keyboard and I can’t speak. I swore only a year ago that I’d never let that happen again.
When I finally realised I was a writer and said it out loud for the first time, I was determined never to let anyone convince me other wise. I was going to say what I wanted to say. But you put a stop to that. Or maybe I just let you.
Either way, you stifle me. You smother me. You make me cry. And if you were a boyfriend…. any true friend of mine would be asking me why I haven’t dumped you a long time ago.
The annoying thing is that you’re exactly like that crazy boyfriend I used to have – I’m finding it really hard to let you go, even though I know you’re bad for me and things are about to get a whole lot worse.
@auntyamo needs a break from you. Let’s see if I can live without you for a while.
I’ll miss you – a bit.
A x
P.S Thanks to all the Tweeters who noticed my recent comments about leaving and were nice enough to say ‘don’t go’. If you really can’t live without me follow @amowriting But it’s a politics free zone. God knows I need it!
So I’ll be spending every day writing on my fiction blog Ficticious Amo and reading the chosen book for the Dublin One City One Book which is Strumpet City.
Do pop over to Ficticious Amo if you miss me won’t you… 😀
Looking at the stuff in my ‘Drafts’ folder of the blog and I found this!
I thought I’d posted it ages ok! So I’ll do it now. My mam will be 8 years gone on March 16th 😦
This is another post based on one of the random titles I was given to write about – testing my ability to write ‘on demand’.
The title ‘The Hardest Thing I’ve ever had to do’ was suggested by Karen Mulreid
I have a Top 5 list of the most special times in my life. The hardest thing I ever had to do comes right in the middle of one of those times. It was, saying goodbye to my mother.
The 2/3 weeks previous to that were painful but wonderful. I came home from the UK as mam was sick and spent the next couple of weeks with my 7 siblings, going in and out of the hospital. We laughed and cried and ate together. Some of my fave things to do 🙂 Not all of us could see her at once so we’d go in and out in small groups while others waited outside.
At times it was awful! As she was on a ventilator, she couldn’t speak. So communication was an issue. But then we would end up in fits of laughter cos we’d try to work out what she was saying and when we got it wrong she’d be throwing her eyes to heaven. We started to call her Lassie at one stage.
She didn’t want us to bother the nurses. Even when there was something wrong or she was uncomfortable I’d offer to get someone and she’d stop me. I was not to trouble them.
I had the odd moment alone with her. It got to the stage she was deteriorating and was always heavily sedated. I sat by her bed alone and very quietly sang a tearful version of John Rutter’s setting of Numbers 6: 24-26 as she slept.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” I knew it was the beginning of my goodbye.
Betty Keeley – my mammy 🙂
On the day she died we gathered around her bed with my dad, and one by one I watched my siblings say goodbye. As crushing as it is even now to think about it, I feel privileged that we were together. I am thankful that we didn’t have to watch her suffer for years or deteriorate slowly needing more and more care. Not everyone gets to say goodbye like that… or at all. I know how totally blessed we are to have that. So we said goodbye and when she feel asleep for the last time we moved out to let her own siblings and then her grandchildren come in and say goodbye.
For the next two weeks we were all together. We brought her home and we spent time with family, friends and neighbours and we laughed and cried and laughed again. It really was an amazing time.
Losing my mammy – wow! so painful, even now, more than 7 years later! I thank God that the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do is surrounded by weeks of joy, laughter and family.
What a privilege!
I remember sitting with one of my big brothers, patiently showing him how to play the D chord on his guitar. I thought it was great he wanted to learn and I was happy to help.
I remember him playing his first few songs at a party and how chuffed I was to think that I’d got him that far. I was quite proud of our achievement
I remember the day he came and asked me to help him understand the theory of the chords he was playing. I was relieved I had grade 5 theory & could help.
I remember the day he asked to show him proper tabs as he’d been messing around with them but knew he wasn’t doing them properly. I looked at him blankly.
And I remember the day he sat with his little sister, patiently showing me how to play the pentatonic scale of D on my guitar. I still haven’t got the hang on it…
I have my mosh moments 🙂
I often wonder how that happened. My student went whizzing passed me down Clapton Lane before I’d even realised he was any good!
We’re both guitar teachers nowadays but he’s a real one. He teaches ‘technique’, whereas I teach chords. I got a bit frustrated about it a few years ago but I managed to get over myself and cop on 😀
BUT… it’s happened again!
One of my Twitter buddies asked in passing one day whether it might be a good idea to start a blog. Her son is autistic and has an amazing awareness of who he is and a great ability to communicate it. She thought it might help and encourage others is a similar situation.
I thought it was a great idea and went through some of the mechanics of it and shared some of my sage-like wisdom
Suffice to say that she and her son are gonna be rock stars! She went on to start a second blog about some health issues she’s been having and both blogs have been ‘spotted’ by mainstream media.
I’m 5 years at this. FIVE YEARS. And not a sniff! Not that I expected to get one actually. But that’s not the point!!!
#harrumph!
Actually I’m not ‘harrumphing’. Well… maybe just a little bit… 😉 but I am absolutely delighted that the blogs have done so well. Her son’s posts are fantastic and I reckon they have the potential to make a huge impact on the awareness and understanding of autism.
And as for mum…. well for a woman I’ve never met face to face (only on Twitter and Skype) I do actually love her to bits and admire her a great deal.
I’m happy to once again be Mr. Myiagi to The Karate Kid, but before you all wax off over to her blogs, don’t forget to wax back on over here will ya! 🙂
So I have half a dozen drafts and can’t finish any of them and I’m not sure where to go next.
Twitter is often able to find the solution to problems (and the cause of a lot more). And it has been successful in helping those in distress. Even though the mighty Ken Armstrong insists that “Twitter ain’t gonna find your cat...”
But I asked Twitter to send me some questions to help me get some writing done and all I can say is… they are… unbelievable
@WodkeHawkins If you were my earrings and have been missing a while, where would you be?
I reckon I would be wrapped in a tissue in the bottom of the inside pocket of the bag you used for your cousin’s wedding last year. Either that or you put them in the trash by mistake and they are now in a landfill. Actually you’re from Kansas…. could the Munchkins have them?
@Daracho what are you trying to write?
Anything.. even this will do! 🙂
@patricguntert what is your favourite word and why?
What a great question! It’s not an easy one to answer though! I have two and both of them are made up.
1. Incredibilised – it’s more than shocked and stunned. Far far beyond surprised but not quite to the point of horrified.
2 Smagloo – I made this one up myself. I use it when I can’t remember the word for something. Which happens a lot!
@cathalkeogh Is it true cannibals don’t eat clowns because they taste funny?
No! That is a myth .The reason they don’t eat them is cos they hate the taste of stage make up 2nd question: If all the world’s a stage, where does the audience sit?
On the parcel shelf in you car. Look carefully…. you’ll see them…
@flowersinapot If you were a vehicle, what sort of vehicle would you be?
I would wish to be a big fast car, convertible, red, expensive.
Am actually a very comfortable, old, bashed up estate. With plenty of room in the boot 🙂
@herodfel did you like the movie The Three Amigos
ABSOLUTELY …. My little buttercup has the sweetest smiiiiile
Awh what am I doing! You need to hear the original…. Here you go…
Thanks for all the questions guys… I feel totally oh… what’s the word,…… SMAGLOO! 🙂
Welcome to my 100th wordpress blog post!
And I’m just 100 or so views from 10,000 so this is a momentous… erm… moment for me!
I was wondering what significant wisdom I could bring to you when I reached the century; and perfect timing – here is my The Next Big Thing post.
The Next Big Thing is an online blogging chain. It helps writers promote and introduce other writers and highlight whatever they are working on. There’s a list of questions to answer and then the writer of the moment picks others to pass the torch on to; or ‘tag them’ to use the technical term…
I’ve mainly seen authors do it and the blog posts have made great reading. I was not a little delighted to be ‘tagged’ by Trish Nugent! Trish is one of my many Twitter connections that I haven’t actually met. If you use Twitter then you’ll know that there are some folk you chat to more than others. And some you get on with more than others! Trish is one of my Twitter friends that I would love to meet and drink coffee (or wine) with. We’re hoping it won’t take too long for that to happen 🙂
Trish is a part-time actress and writer, and a full-time wife and mum. She lives in Dublin and you can read her blog here.
So let’s get this show on the road!
My Next Big Thing Well to be honest the next big thing I need to write is my Masters Dissertation. I’m doing a Masters in Applied Theology with the Irish Bible Institute. Before I start a great literary work, or even a terrible one, I need to finish my M.A.
Other than that I have two blogs on the go. I guest post for a couple of places regularly and I also write a regular piece for VOX Magazine. My first article appeared in the Jan 2013 of WHOA Women magazine in the US and I’m hoping to have a regular spot there too. Details of all that stuff can be found here
What is the title of your book dissertation? Well the title is not worked out yet as dissertation titles can be a bit wordy, but it’s something along the lines of “The connection between the attitude to suffering and ‘spiritual development/maturity’ using the Apostle Peter as an example”
HOWEVER, If I were to write a book it might be called something like, “The Chocolate Conspiracy”
Where did the idea come from for thedissertation/book? The idea came from my own experience really. If you’ve read my blog before, you know that I can’t have children. That is the issue that I wrestle with most in my Christian life. I have 27 nieces and nephews and no kids of my own.
I suppose it’s a search really to see if an increase in one’s spiritual maturity gives you a more ‘Jesus-like’ attitude to the sufferings of life. Mine, compared to others are very mild. But they are mine and I haven’t handled the sadness well over the years. I’m hoping that the research and writing of this paper will help me make my journey towards acceptance.
The idea for “The Chocolate Conspiracy” came from a biscuit tin. I was eating a biscuit, from said biscuit tin and I thought… I bet chocolate is actually good for us and that story is being repressed by a South American mafia with connections to Eastern European gangs… Voila! 🙂
What genre does your dissertation/book fall under? Dissertation – Christian Spirituality
Book – Crime/thriller/nonsense
Give me the preciouuuuussssss!
Which actors would you choose in a movie rendition of your book? ok the dissertation is NOT going to be made into a film… but the book?
Well obviously I’ll be played by the guy who played Jabba the Hut.
My psychiatrist will be played by Colin Firth (love interest)
And all the baddies will be played by your woman who played the little dark curly-haired barmaid in Cheers. (There’s a ‘cloning’ subplot that I’m in danger of giving away here so I’ll stop.)
What is the one sentence synopsis for your dissertation/book? Dissertation – “How did the Apostle Peter go from being the man who tried to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem and denied him – to the man who wrote 1Peter, such as 4v14 ‘rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ.’?”
Book – The truth they didn’t want you to know… chocolate is good… lettuce isn’t!
How long did it take you to write a first draft? I haven’t written a draft of either, but it’s all up here. *taps side of head
The dissertation (20,000 words) will hopefully be researched and written in 2013
What other books would you compare yours to within your genre? War and Peace, Ulysses andThe Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle
Who or what inspired you to write this dissertation/book? Dissertation – as I mentioned above, my own experience
Book – as I mentioned above, the biscuit tin. It spoke to me, called out to me in the night, followed me on Twitter… I couldn’t escape!
What else about your dissertation/book might piqué you readers’ interest?
Dissertation – If you’re not into theology, probably not much! But I do hope to answer the question!
Book – Hidden within the text will be a DaVinci type code that when found will actually be a bar code giving you 20% off your next purchase of chocolate HobNobs. (Terms and conditions apply, subject to availability, all rights reserved, please get an adult to help you when using a scissors etc etc )
When and how will it be published? Dissertation – well there’ll only be three copies. One for marking, one for the college library and one for my ego shelf. After that it’ll be a pdf!
Book – on papyrus, or that sugary paper you can eat!
OK!!! Enough of my nonsense – let me introduce you to my Three Musketeers
Helen Hamill – IMHOthis lady does not realise what a great writer she is! She has two blogs and her honesty and openness amazes me every time I read her stuff.
Helen was born and lives in Enniskillen. She is a trained teacher, musician and singer. She holds the position of Director of Music with St Michael’s Church Choir. Her choir performed last year for Her Majesty the Queen, and have recently performed solo on BBC Songs of Praise.
She’s mam to 4 brilliant children and has been married to Jimmy for 24 years.
She tweets (a bit too often she says) @helenhamill
4 words to describe her… direct, honest, hardworking and driven.
She has two blogs, one about a medical condition she is battling her way through http://atleastihaveabrain.wordpress.com/ and one she co-writes with her 12-year-old son who is as he puts it “autistic and proud”! http://autisticandproud.wordpress.com/
Reclaim the Voice – now I don’t always agree with this guy. But I do love what he writes. He has made me laugh, shout at my computer screen in frustration, sit silently trying not to cry and think about things I’ve never thought of.
Here’s what he says about his blog… “This Blog, is a place, where words, thoughts, and feelings will exist, who the writer is, is not necessary, let the words speak for themselves, take them as you find them. Sometimes they will be passionate, political, poetic, however, above all,
hopefully provoking.” Take a look for yourself… 🙂 https://reclaimthevoice.wordpress.com/
Carolann Copland – we met not long after I realised that I should be taking writing seriously. Although I haven’t read any of her writing, spending time at her Writing Centre and learning from her has been just fantastic.
Carolann is the founder of Carousel Creates; offering writing experiences to writers of all ages and lifestyles. She has a B.Ed in English and Drama and has been a teacher for thirteen years. Carolann has learned her writing craft under authors such as Siobhan Parkinson, Patricia O’ Reilly, Conor Kostick, Orna Ross, Niall Williams and Claire Hennessy.
She is a mother of three children aged nine to twenty-one. Through mentoring writers of all ages; from all walks of life; Carolann is happiest when she is sharing her passion for writing.
Website: http://www.carousel-creates.com Blog: http://www.carouselcreates.wordpress.com
Twitter: @carouselcreates
A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by the extremely talented writer, Jillian Godsil, requesting to tag me in an on-line blogging chain – The Next Big Thing.
The chain is a way for writers to promote their work-in-progress through a series of questions.
Jillian is a writer, blogger and freelance journalist, renowned for selling her house on utube.
I met Jillian for the first time last year at a book launch in Hughes and Hughes, where we were introduced by our good pal Susan Condon.
In December, we met again in, of all places the ladies toilets at The Westin Hotel, prior to recording The Twitter Xmas single. We had a lovely chat about sex novels 🙂 It was not however until our third meeting, at the launch of said Xmas single that I got to actually sit and chat with Jillian over a glass or five of cabernet…
If you look down on the right hand side you’ll see a lovely new badge that tells you I’m an ‘Emerging Writer’ member of Writing.ie This is one of a few steps I’ve taken towards my efforts to ‘take this writing thing seriously’ from now on. That and buying a notebook 🙂
And my timing could not have been better! Writing.ie, in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature has launched a resource just for me. Well not JUST for me, I’m sure others are allowed use it as well…
Vanessa O’Loughlin from Writing.ie
The National Emerging Writer Programme consists of 3 x 40 minute videos with some of Ireland’s leading writers sharing their insights and expertise. There is supporting material on writing,ie to go with the video teaching. And it is FREE – the video clips are available on both Writing.ie & UNESCO websites. The project has been funded by Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.
The DVD was launched in the Dublin City Library and Archive on Wednesday Jan 9th by the Minister of the DAHG, Jimmy Deenihan. In his speech he mentioned his own experience and enjoyment of writing. Minister Deenihan’s autobiography was published in 2011.
Paul Fitzsimons, Carlo Gébler & Declan Hughes
It was nice to see a couple of familiar faces and make some new writing connections. Two of the three main contributors to the DVD content, Carlo Gébler and Declan Hughes were there too. They were very nice guys who chatted with folk and stood for photos. All in all a great afternoon and afterwards I have to say I felt better equipped for the writing challenges of 2013.
It’s a real encouragement to someone like me that Ireland’s great writing heritage is still going strong, and that new writer’s are being encouraged to develop the craft. I’m hardly likely to be the next Maeve Binchy but with the help of resources like the NEWP I can certainly learn to be the best writer that I can be.
All I know is I want to be better than I am now and I want to push this thing as far as a I can. After that (and during it) I’m on God’s good grace as to whether writing becomes a career or just stays my favourite thing to do.
Just another Christian woman... 