Sound the Retreat! Thursday, May 28, 2009Finding time to write without distractions is a challenge. My children, both young adults, are on their own, so parenting is no longer an issue. The culprits are those dinner plans that creep into an exciting rescue or tender love scene, or the grocery list that competes with my list of revisions. Telephone calls and bills requiring payment derail my search for those phrases I overuse. Appointments, laundry, and cats demanding hugs all conspire to thwart the start of a brand-new chapter. What’s a writer to do?
Writing before the rest of the house is up and about usually works—unless I start by checking e-mail or posting "just one excerpt" so I’ll feel like I’ve done some marketing/promo. Another precious block of writing time gone.Combining my periodic hankerings to travel to Ireland with attending a wonderful writing retreat near the West Cork village of Eyeries works even better. I’ve taken refuge at Anam Cara Writer’s and Artist’s Retreat on the remote and beautiful Beara Peninsula several times now. Each time I do, I get more than a month’s worth of writing done in a week, and I’ve found that having no internet access isn’t a bad thing. (Gracious retreat owner Sue Booth-Forbes reports that Anam Cara has gone wireless since my last visit, but I may pretend it hasn’t.)
What can a writing retreat do besides provide reasonably priced relief from mundane chores? That depends on what you want. Whether you’re interested in structured workshops or uninterrupted time to simply sit and think, most offer both. Anam Cara does, though the only structure in which I’m interested is the schedule for Sue’s fabulous meals. Simply leaving my normal environment provides a tremendous boost of creativity, and I know I’ll enjoy wonderful walking paths and vibrant conversations with other residents. Worried about sitting in that chair all day? Most writing retreats, Anam Cara included, offer fitness equipment, whirlpools, and massage. The Beara Peninsula’s spectacular scenery begs retreat residents to take a hike, or at least a pleasant walk. No need to recreate the historic march of Donal Cam O'Sullivan Bere (1561–1613), the last leader of the Sullivan clan.
This city girl walked right by a herd of cows (wondering if they’d attack) and happily soaked her shoes on a gorgeous bog dotted with sheep. On my first bog walk, I met a guardian angel border collie who guided me over barely visible paths I never would have found on my own.
I’m off for another working mini-vacation soon. A bus will take me from Shannon Airport to Cork City, where I’ll spend a day raiding my favorite bookstores and finding new music. The shuttle that will take me to Anam Cara will pass dramatic scenery and rustic villages that will bask in Ireland’s summer sunlight well after ten p.m.
Pat--I am about to die of envy. I'd love to be at that very place--It sounds so lovely, and your photos surely inspire one to write poetically. A writing retreat sounds so much nicer than a conference. A retreat would be more to my liking, although--I've never attended either. One day....such a beautiful post. Celia
By Celia Yeary, at
May 28, 2009 11:55 AM
Same here, what Celia said! I've yet to attend a writing retreat but it's in the books for "some day" -- right now I do have the parenting thing. It's nice to have, but it makes retreats not likely for a while.
By LK Hunsaker, at
May 28, 2009 12:16 PM
How exciting to travel and stay at a writing retreat. I don't know if I'd be able to chain myself to the computer with such tempting scenery around. Please give us a full report on your next retreat so that we can live vicariously through you!
By Maggie Toussaint, at
May 28, 2009 12:50 PM
Wow, it sounds heavenly. I went for 10 day drive around south Ireland in 2004 with my brother and sister-in-law. Never had such a restful vacation. (We went 1000 miles) I will keep the info you wrote about and perhaps will join you someday in the green hills of Ireland once again.
By Anonymous, at
May 28, 2009 4:00 PM
PAT! I'm so envious! I would love to go to a writers' retreat! We have a lot of Irish ancestry in our family. In fact, weirdly enough, I named my son CASEY without knowing it was a family name until my great aunt "congratulated" me on keeping the "old family name alive"--I had no clue. LOL We'll want to hear all about your wonderful time at the retreat, of course! Boy, I would LOVE to do that! I bet you get a lot of writing done. Cheryl
By Cheryl, at
May 28, 2009 4:44 PM
I'm so happy you all stopped by! Celia, I'm not a conference person myself. Anam Cara is my kind of place, and the owner's philosophy is that a nurturing environment inspires creativity. Loraine, your kids will grow up so fast you won't believe it. Enjoy them now! Maggie, that scenery is a problem. One resident said she had to keep her window shade down or she'd never get anything done. Cheryl, how strange that you named your child Casey! Perhaps some bygone ancestor put the idea in your head. After reading Maggie's blog today, I wouldn't be surprised! And my Anonymous friend, I hope to meet you in those green hills one day. Wear a shamrock so I'll know you! Thanks, everyone!
By Pat McDermott, at
May 28, 2009 5:00 PM
Sounds like a wonderful opportunity to write and relax! Have a great time!!!
By Kathleen, at
May 28, 2009 6:18 PM
Hi Dawn. I hope to finish at least a first draft of the final chapters of Salty Roses soon. You should be making good progress on your pirate story. Can't wait to read it! Thanks for stopping by.
By Pat McDermott, at
May 29, 2009 9:13 AM
Book Wenches Interview My interview with Bobby Whitney, the "Book Wench" who recently gave A Band of Roses such a stellar review, appeared on the BookWenches' site on May 27, 2009. My thanks to Bobby, and to everyone who stopped by!
Action! Thursday, May 21, 2009The debut of the book trailer for A Band of Roses has me positively airborne! Starting with the few rough ideas I offered, my ingenious web designer, Rick Shagoury, has brought my story to life in a way I never imagined possible. Treat yourself to a peek!
I must say, that did come out looking pretty good. Next time it will be even better. I very much enjoyed the collaborative process on this, I think we make a good team.
By Shag, at
May 21, 2009 2:09 PM
That trailer rocks!! It really captures the feel and romance of Talty and her adventures!! I look forward to a "Fiery Trailer..."
By Anonymous, at
May 27, 2009 5:16 PM
Howya! Thursday, May 14, 2009According to Dictionary.com, slang is "the jargon of a particular class, profession, etc." Several dictionaries suggest that the word "slang" originated from the Norwegian phrase "slengja kjeften" (literally, to sling the jaw). Whether it did or not, "sling the jaw" is a great phrase—and no one "slings the jaw" better than the Irish.
In my quest to make the characters of A Band of Roses sound more Irish, I tried writing dialogue by chopping words and adding apostrophes. That did little to get the wonderfully lilting accent I heard in my head onto a page so a reader could hear it the same way I did. What could I do?
My first trip to Ireland helped solve the dilemma. The tour guide handed out a list of Irish-English vs. American-English words to help us Yanks fit in with the locals (right.)
We learned that in Ireland a cookie is a biscuit. French fries are chips, and potato chips are crisps. Very nice, but irrelevant to my story. And then I found Slanguage.
I enjoyed reading the fanciful phrases in this wonderful book by Bernard Share. Drisheens, shinogues, and sheilamaids filled the pages, but such words weren’t useful if I’d need a glossary at the end of my book. Thankfully I found a treasure trove of terms that wouldn’t flummox a reader at all. The context in which I used them would easily define them, and a few key phrases would help round out my characters. With more than enough ammunition for several books, I got to work.
Revising "Roses" caused no botheration at all. In fact, it was easy cakes. The boat that had simply sunk was now gone for its tea. The fella merely in love developed a soft eye for his lady. And that idiot who’s always foostering about? What an eejit!
Should I chance my arm and bare a few of the naughtier terms? Come here and I’ll tell you. A state of chastitution is sure to leave a fella’s privities banjaxed. To remedy the situation, he might give his girl a ride on his crossbar. But they should invite Rubber Johnny along or she’ll be up the flue.
At first I felt pig-ignorant exploring such a power of words, but now I think I can pass myself. Still, I’m only trotting after the true jaw-slingers. Mr. Share did me an obligement by writing his book, and I found several others packed with phrases that not only twisted hay with my imagination, they left me gobsmacked.
One of my favorite slang-related sites is http://www.overheardindublin.com/, a fabulous compilation of e-mails sent in by ordinary folks from their earwigging of real conversations in Dublin. The site has generated three (so far) delightful paperbacks: Overheard in Dublin, Overheard in Dublin Again, and More Overheard in Dublin. These books by siblings Gerard Kelly and Sinéad Kelly offer hilarious snippets of Irish life that will delight every dog and devil.
I must say, you are really getting into the swing of this blogging business. I check your blog every morning just to see if there's a new post, because I enjoy reading it. Keep it up, it's one of the best ones out there. :)
By Shag, at
May 14, 2009 9:05 AM
Wow Pat, Thank you for sharing such an interesting topic. I have visited Ireland, pretty place, I love their accents and their humour. I do have some Irish ancestry, going back about 150 years when my great, great (several greats I think) came to Australia from Ireland after one of their potato famines.
Eliza, thanks for visiting. Glad I got a smile from you! And Shag, I appreciate your kind words more than you know. Thank you!
By Pat McDermott, at
May 14, 2009 9:17 AM
Hi Margaret! The Irish ended up in so many places after the famine. Glad your family made a successful trip and is thriving. I've read some Australian slang. A true "foreign" language! Thanks for visiting. Best, Pat
By Pat McDermott, at
May 14, 2009 9:20 AM
I'm one third Irish so I appreciate this post. Can I speak it? Not even close, but I enjoy hearing it.
By unwriter, at
May 14, 2009 4:07 PM
Awesome, Pat!! That was a funny and educational post! Now I wonder where can I find a book on Scottish slang? Must look for one. Have a great weekend!
By Nicole North, at
May 14, 2009 5:00 PM
Hello Ron, Thanks for stopping by. I certainly agree that Irish is fun to hear. And with the right guides, fun to write!
Nicole, thank you also for visiting. I don't know of any Scottish slang books, but there are plenty of web sites, as I'm sure you know. Have a great weekend yourself!
By Pat McDermott, at
May 14, 2009 9:06 PM
I love Irish slang so much that a friend of mine saves me pages from her slang-of-the-day calendar. My favorites are: she's a socket, this is a sword fight and get off with.
The Irish have such nice ways to say nasty things!
I can't wait to read the Irishisms in your new book!
By Kathleen, at
May 28, 2009 6:13 PM
New Reviews for A Band of Roses Friday, May 8, 2009Popping in quickly to share excerpts from two 5-Star reviews A Band of Roses received this week.
BD Whitney of Book Wenches Reviews (5/3/09) says: "A Band of Roses combines political intrigue, adventure, science fiction, and romance into a well-written and fascinating package that will appeal to a wide range of readers. . . the tension pulls so tight that it positively vibrates, and I found myself holding my breath and reading faster to keep pace with the action numerous times."
Denisse Alicea of The Pen and Muse (5/4/09) says: "Pat's work has become one of my favorites and sure fire book to recommend to others. This is an author to keep on your watch lists for more works to come."
Seeking Irish Heroines Friday, May 1, 2009Every writer goes about the task of crafting stories in unique ways. For me, the first step is gathering research, a process a lot like setting out the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. I link the straight edges together to form the outline, and little by little, pieces whose shapes and colors fit together just so begin to fill the empty space. I know that with dedication the whole picture will soon become visible.
But wait! Pieces are missing! For a jigsaw puzzle, I usually find them on the floor, or in the hall closet if the cats have been playful. A missing piece in a plot means I’ve hit a spot that requires research. Maybe I need more info on Breton mythology or how fast nuclear submarines travel. I try to find what I need online, or in those notebooks I filled with facts before I started my current WIP (work in progress). When that fails, it’s time to get off my duff and go to the library—unless what I need concerns Ireland.
If it does, I drive to Boston and visit The Aunts. Both have been avid collectors and readers of Irish books for as long as I can remember. Their frequent trips to Ireland over the years have filled their home with other treasures—Belleek pottery and Waterford crystal, copper sculptures and paintings of the Aran Islands—but it’s the books that draw me when I visit.
From Geraldine’s side of the shelves, my choices include poetry, literature, ancient laws and customs, or mythology. Kathleen’s side offers modern history, biographies, politics, and current events. The Aunts’ interests overlap, of course, which is great for me. I find all the puzzle pieces any author of Irish fiction could ever want, as I did while writing A Band of Roses and Fiery Roses.
The Aunts generously share the treasures in their magical library. My current "check out" (pictured) is The Romance of Irish Heroines, an antique whose thick yellowed pages overflow with wonderful old Gaelic names like Gormflaith, Meave, Macha, and Dervorgilla. Pirate Queen Grace "Grainne" O’Malley, the inspiration for my current WIP, is in there, but The Aunts, alas, were born too late for inclusion in this wonderful showcase of distinctive Irish ladies.
Retracing The Aunts' book-hunting footsteps in Ireland is difficult. Many of the bookstores they haunted are gone. Still, I enjoy browsing in Ireland’s bookstores knowing I’m seeing things I won't find in New Hampshire. In Dublin, I’ll make the rounds from Waterstone’s and Hodges Figgis near Trinity College to Eason’s on O’Connell Street, stopping somewhere along the way for tea and a chocolate muffin. I’ve found wonderful bookstores in Cork, Galway, Killarney, and Westport (pictured).
Book hunting isn’t the only reason I visit Ireland. It certainly isn’t the only reason I visit my guardian angel Aunts. It is a great adventure, though, and as they say in Ireland, "Seeking one thing often finds another."
I’m still looking for a way to indulge myself with a copy of your “Band of Roses” without paying a fortune in postage charges! Amazon.co.uk say “You must be joking” (or words to that effect!) Can I buy it direct from your site, using PayPal? Preferably autographed???
Irish Heroines. Have you come across the Irish version of the “star-cross’d lovers” legend? Here’s an extract from an early chapter of one of my WIPs, based on historical research into my family background. In the following scene, the main characters are being told the tale of Una Bhàn and Tomàs Laidîr Costello by the seanch’ai which (as I’m sure you’re aware) is the most honoured and respected role of Storyteller, usually held by the Eldest Inhabitant.
***
The group decamped to a more comfortable, informal setting in easy chairs grouped around the open turf fire.
“The tale of Una Bhàn, daughter to Cormac, King of Moylurg and her would-be suitor Tomàs Laidir Costello is well-known in these parts. It is as true as it is tragic” Michael began, staring into the dancing flames as if this helped him concentrate on the words.
“Una Bhàn was very beautiful, and had extremely long, fine blonde hair which cascaded down her back almost to her knees. Cormac was proud of her, as any father might be, yet as King he felt he had a duty to vet all her would-be suitors. None of them were ever good enough to satisfy him.”
“One was a close neighbour, a handsome and affluent young man whose affections were sincere. Cormac, however, considered Tomàs not good enough for his beloved daughter, and had her confined to The Rock, as Trinity Isle was often called at the time. Tomàs was banished from the area.”
“Una Bhàn sickened from day to day, falling into a melancholy, and lay dying of grief. Tomàs heard of the situation and went to see her, in defiance of Cormac’s ban. When he left, he vowed that unless Cormac sent word that he might return before he reached the river which marked the boundaries between their estates, he would never come back. Cormac repented, and word was sent, but it did not reach Tomàs until after he had crossed the river. Being a man of honour, he held to his word and refused to return.”
“Una Bhàn died of a broken heart and was buried on Trinity Isle. In his grief, Tomàs used to swim out to keep vigil at her grave every night. Eventually he caught pneumonia: realising he was dying, he requested of Cormac that he be buried alongside Una Bhàn. His request was granted. Tradition says that two rose trees grew from the lovers’ graves, entwining above them, and can still be seen today.”
The spell woven by Michael’s recital of this tale created an atmosphere of peace. Several seconds of contemplative silence ended with a sudden crackle and flare from the turf fire as it burnt lower and settled under its own weight.
By Paul McDermott, at
May 1, 2009 3:15 PM
Pat, How wonderful to have such inquisitive ladies in your family. Their home sounds like a great place to be lost for hours. Maybe with a cup of tea? Enjoy the treasure trove!
By Dawn Marie Hamilton, at
May 1, 2009 4:30 PM
Hi Paul! Thanks for crossing the pond to visit :-) And thank you for the excerpt. I look forward to enjoying a sample of your fine writing.
By Pat McDermott, at
May 1, 2009 5:05 PM
Dawn, thanks for coming by. I always enjoy visiting The Aunts. A well-rounded experience every time.
By Pat McDermott, at
May 1, 2009 5:08 PM
How lucky you are to have The Aunts--not to mention their vast and varied collections. Reading your post has me missing my Gran in a big way.
Hi "Other" Pat! You're so nice to stop by. I think the great thing about collections is the stories and memories we associate with them. They keep fond memories alive for us. Thanks for your comment!
By Pat McDermott, at
May 1, 2009 10:10 PM
I've always been fascinated by the writing process. I think the puzzle analogy is an excellent way to explain it to a non-writer such as myself. Thank you for the insight!
By Shag, at
May 12, 2009 8:51 AM
Hey Shag! Glad you enjoyed the post and the puzzle, neither of which you'd be reading about if not for your fine web designer talents. Thanks for being my online guardian angel!
By Pat McDermott, at
May 12, 2009 9:06 AM
Finding time to write without distractions is a challenge. My children, both young adults, are on their own, so parenting is no longer an issue. The culprits are those dinner plans that creep into an exciting rescue or tender love scene, or the grocery list that competes with my list of revisions. Telephone calls and bills requiring payment derail my search for those phrases I overuse. Appointments, laundry, and cats demanding hugs all conspire to thwart the start of a brand-new chapter. What’s a writer to do?
Combining my periodic hankerings to travel to Ireland with attending a wonderful writing retreat near the West Cork village of 
I’m off for another working mini-vacation soon. A bus will take me from 
