ABOUT ME

I am an Irish writer,  story teller,  broadcaster, teacher, lecturer and workshop facilitator.   I was     born and reared in Dublin and I have travelled the world.   In my distant past I was an audiologist dealing with children and now I use that skill by going to Zambia as a  volunteer with E.N.T.Zambia.    ( http://www.entzambia.com/)

WRITING

I have written four novels.   The Liberation of Margaret Mc Cabe, Dark Paradise, Zouaves and Burning Bright.  See NOVELS  for more.

I have  published  many short stories.   Some are funny, some are strange, some are horror and the horror ones were t the funniest to write!      Go to STORIES  for more.

I was a  scriptwriter for FAIR CITY (the top Irish soap) for nine seasons.   Okay –  it’s not great literature.   It’s not even great writing  but it taught me a lot about writing.    You have to find ways of telling stories within all kinds of very strict limits,  budget, sets, available actors.   I was  Script Editor for season five but reading umpteen drafts of umpteen soap scripts is not my idea of fun.

I’ve also written film scripts for Crimson Films and Storey Road productions and  I’m currently working on a film script based on my most recent novel Burning Bright with my friend Jordi.

PERFORMANCE

Writing is solitary work .   It’s like playing with your imaginary friends.    Fun and all as that is, it is  great to get out and meet real people .   I’ve been a panel member on R.T.E’s Arts Programme The View and a contributor to Sunday Miscellany (RTE Radio 1.)   But my favourite of all is telling stories .   I perform regularly in Milk and Cookies and Yarnspinners ( Dublin Story telling clubs)  See STORY TELLING for more info and videos.

WORKSHOPS

My other escape from solitary is giving workshops.   I’ve been at it for years and I love it.    My rule of thumb is:

You learn best when you are engaged and enjoying yourself.

Come September, I hope to work with  Carolann Copeland (http://www.carousel-creates.com) .   Go to Workshops  for more and  sample  The Golden Bubble, my book about writing.