Big Smoke Writing Factory
There's no fire without smoke...... Big Smoke Writing Factory offers creative writing classes, workshops and resources at 7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Course list spring 2010
Next open day: February 16th, 5.30-8pm.
-- Courses starting soon: Beginning To Write; Line Production; Stand-up Comedy.
Looking for a gift for the writer in your life? Gift certificates are now available!
Saturday, 30 January 2010
For all you iPhone junkies...
Try this nifty WriteChain application which lets you keep track of your word count.
And if in need of a little motivation, have a look at these writing quotes.
And if in need of a little motivation, have a look at these writing quotes.
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Some things on a Tuesday
The Children's Books Ireland annual table quiz takes place this Thursday evening.
Wonders & Marvels describes itself as "a community for curious minds who love history, its odd stories, and good reads", and is a charming place to wander around for an hour or two (or a day or two!).
Wonders & Marvels describes itself as "a community for curious minds who love history, its odd stories, and good reads", and is a charming place to wander around for an hour or two (or a day or two!).
Labels: resources
Sunday, 10 January 2010
And another favourite Smoke winter poem...
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Big Smoke course start dates
Please note that some of our course start dates have been moved back slightly, as a result of the weather-related disruptions in Dublin. Students who have already registered for courses will be contacted via email or phone with the new start dates.
Some classic winter and snow poems for this chilly January!
Some classic winter and snow poems for this chilly January!
Monday, 4 January 2010
Happy 2010!
Big Smoke wishes you a happy New Year!
Some deadlines for you: the Mslexia Short Story competition 2010 closes 25th January. The Stinging Fly accepts submissions January 1st - March 31st only each year.
Amidst the many 'best books of the decade' lists, try the decade's best unread books.
What's your writing resolution of 2010? Try a new form or genre? Finish a collection of poems or short stories? Finish a novel? Write every day? Start writing? Write more often? What small steps are you going to take to make sure you finish the year with that resolution kept?
Penultimately, a reminder: booking is open for our winter/spring 2010 courses now. Most of the courses begin the week starting January 25th, which means that booking for those courses will start closing the week beginning January 18th.
And last but not least, to subscribe to the Big Smoke newsletter, email bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com with ‘Put me on the newsletter mailing list’ in the subject line.
Some deadlines for you: the Mslexia Short Story competition 2010 closes 25th January. The Stinging Fly accepts submissions January 1st - March 31st only each year.
Amidst the many 'best books of the decade' lists, try the decade's best unread books.
What's your writing resolution of 2010? Try a new form or genre? Finish a collection of poems or short stories? Finish a novel? Write every day? Start writing? Write more often? What small steps are you going to take to make sure you finish the year with that resolution kept?
Penultimately, a reminder: booking is open for our winter/spring 2010 courses now. Most of the courses begin the week starting January 25th, which means that booking for those courses will start closing the week beginning January 18th.
And last but not least, to subscribe to the Big Smoke newsletter, email bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com with ‘Put me on the newsletter mailing list’ in the subject line.
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
"I want to convey something that is truer than truth about our common humanity..."
Some creativity, warmth and wisdom for these chilly days, with Isabelle Allende's TED talk, 2007.
Labels: resources
Thursday, 17 December 2009
How to cook a husband, and other things to do over the holidays
London's Wellcome Library offers up for December the Top 10 Tips for Surviving Christmas - 17th century-style.
Labels: resources
Thursday, 10 December 2009
But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater...
An A to Z of Clichés for Writers to Avoid like the Plague. They're packed in like sardines, these clichés, and way past their sell-by date. You'll be as pleased as Punch if you discover (while lost in contemplation) that you've avoided this poisoned chalice in your writing. Still, sometimes you really can't see the wood for the trees, especially in this day and age. Don't throw in the towel just yet, though; remember to take the rough with the smooth, and practice makes perfect!
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Inspiration and procrastination
Take a look at Jennifer Blanchard's collection of the 43 most inspiring writing advice posts of 2009.
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
A couple of things on a Wednesday
Over at the Guardian there's musing about typewriters and writing.
Eason's have free postage on orders over €25 within Ireland 'til Christmas.
Happy December, readers!
Eason's have free postage on orders over €25 within Ireland 'til Christmas.
Happy December, readers!
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
New-fangled technologies!
The wonderful Children's Books Ireland are hosting a seminar this Saturday (November 28th) on Digital Developments and the Possibilities they Offer.
Labels: resources
Monday, 23 November 2009
Heads-up...
The deadline for the Fish Short Story contest is November 30th.
Meanwhile, unfriend is the Oxford Word of the Year 2009. (Take a look through the other possible words, too, and see if you can work one of them into a short story.)
Meanwhile, unfriend is the Oxford Word of the Year 2009. (Take a look through the other possible words, too, and see if you can work one of them into a short story.)
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Partly amusing, partly educational...
Monday, 16 November 2009
Looking for inspiration?
Check out the What If... exhibition at Trinity's Science Gallery. (Running 'til 13th December.)
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
For the fiction writers...
How to write a great novel: a number of different authors offer up their novel-writing methods.
Labels: resources
Monday, 2 November 2009
Looking for something to read?
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Something light-hearted after the bank holiday...
Have a writing-related pun.
(This Big Smoker's favourite is: The second best writing implement in the world is the pen ultimate. Groan.)
(This Big Smoker's favourite is: The second best writing implement in the world is the pen ultimate. Groan.)
Labels: resources
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Nearly the weekend...
Declan Meade's editorial in the most recent issue of The Stinging Fly is a reminder to support the arts, and the arts organisations you enjoy and believe in.
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
For all your mythical needs...
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
More What's On....
IMAGE Author Evening this Thursday (October 22nd), 6.30-9pm at the Westbury Hotel. Featuring Anna McPartlin, Christine Dwyer Hickey and Paul Howard.
Download a flyer here (pdf).
Download a flyer here (pdf).
Labels: resources
Monday, 19 October 2009
Things to do...
Storytellers may want to check out Milk and Cookies, who are holding their first event next week (October 27th). The event is being held in association with Exchange Words, whose own events are also worth taking a look at.
And if you haven't made it to an Innovation Dublin event yet, there's still a couple of days left of the festival.
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Some mid-week links
Diana Wynne Jones on writing a story and planning.
And if you're searching for a title, take a look at this article.
Finally, a Fiction Factor piece on procrastination when writing.
And if you're searching for a title, take a look at this article.
Finally, a Fiction Factor piece on procrastination when writing.
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Calling aspiring and practicing novel writers..
It's October, which means it's time for folks to start thinking about Nanowrimo. Write a novel in November: 1,667 words a day for 30 days, swept up in that seat-of-your-pants first-draft exhilaration.
(Playwrights, keep an eye out for Script Frenzy in April.)
"As you spend November writing, you can draw comfort from the fact that, all around the world, other National Novel Writing Month participants are going through the same joys and sorrows of producing the Great Frantic Novel. Wrimos meet throughout the month to offer encouragement, commiseration, and—when the thing is done—the kind of raucous celebrations that tend to frighten animals and small children."
(Playwrights, keep an eye out for Script Frenzy in April.)
Labels: resources
Monday, 12 October 2009
In search of a good book?
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Looking for a real-life prompt to get you started?
Monday, 5 October 2009
What is Creative Writing?
"If we are to understand Creative Writing better, we need to recognise that it is both a range of activities and a range of end results, and that the activities and the end results are accessed by us in various ways."
What do you think, dear readers? What is creative writing, for you? And why do you do it?
What do you think, dear readers? What is creative writing, for you? And why do you do it?
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Bubblegum Book Bash
Ireland's first literary lunch for kids and teens is on this weekend in Dun Laoghaire - adults interested in listening to authors and publishers discuss their work and the market may want to find a child to drag along, however!
Labels: resources
Monday, 28 September 2009
For nitpickers...
... and those at revising/editing stages of a project: Ten words you may be spelling incorrectly.
Labels: resources
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Speedwriting!
Seven Ways to Write a Book Faster: some tips, and especially useful for those who work with detailed outlines.
Labels: resources
Friday, 18 September 2009
Things to do over the weekend:
Books 2009 children's events, today and tomorrow.
The Dublin Bookfair, 2009, at Freemasons Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Today (12pm-7pm) and tomorrow (10am-5pm).
And of course... Big Smoke open registration day, tomorrow, 2pm-6pm, 7 Lower Hatch St, Dublin 2.
Have a good weekend, all!
The Dublin Bookfair, 2009, at Freemasons Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Today (12pm-7pm) and tomorrow (10am-5pm).
And of course... Big Smoke open registration day, tomorrow, 2pm-6pm, 7 Lower Hatch St, Dublin 2.
Have a good weekend, all!
Labels: resources
Death of the Book
Apparently its death has been exaggerated, for those of you interested in publishing, the book industry, and technology.
And just for fun, dating manuals for vampire lovers.
And just for fun, dating manuals for vampire lovers.
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
"...artistry, in the end, will ultimately lead to anguish... are you guys all cool with that idea?... I'm not..."
Monday, 14 September 2009
In need of inspiration?
Today's Irish Times asks, "How did 2,000-year-old feet find their way to a Dublin attic?" while the Guardian talks about "a luxury hotel for bats".
If you find yourself stuck for something to write about, take either of those headlines as your starting point, write for ten minutes, and see what happens.
If you find yourself stuck for something to write about, take either of those headlines as your starting point, write for ten minutes, and see what happens.
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Bookshops blogging
Parnell St's Chapters have a regularly updated blog here, including book recommendations and a regular '5 Questions With...' writers section.
Blackrock's Raven Books keeps a ramblings page about books and life.
Wonderful online bookshop the Book Depository have a blog about book news.
Got a bookshop blog to recommend? Leave a comment or drop us an email.
Blackrock's Raven Books keeps a ramblings page about books and life.
Wonderful online bookshop the Book Depository have a blog about book news.
Got a bookshop blog to recommend? Leave a comment or drop us an email.
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
PI: sometimes Private Investigator, sometimes something else entirely...
Aspiring and developing poets should certainly be familiar with Poetry Ireland, but even for those with a general interest in writing, the online newsletter is worth subscribing to. Also check out their fabulous resources for getting published.
Labels: resources
Monday, 7 September 2009
In the Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown area?
The Mountains to Sea book festival is on this weekend (with some events mid-week too). Tons of events for all ages and interests. Take a look!
Labels: resources
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Have a musical autumn...
Plenty of stuff on at The National Concert Hall (just around the corner from us at BIG SMOKE) this autumn. Also take a look at the 2009/10 season from the RTE National Symphony Orchestra.
Also take a look at the music on offer at the Dublin Fringe Festival (5-20 September), which of course has a whole range of events going on. One asks, What is the value of art in Irish society? Any thoughts?
Also take a look at the music on offer at the Dublin Fringe Festival (5-20 September), which of course has a whole range of events going on. One asks, What is the value of art in Irish society? Any thoughts?
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Books 2009
If you haven't done so already, take a look at what's on for Books 2009, 10-13th and 19-20th September. There are discounts for buying multiple tickets, and some great events, particularly readings and discussions, happening over the two weekends.
Labels: resources
Monday, 31 August 2009
What's in a name?
Looking for a name for a character, whether meaningful or not? Take a look Behind The Name or check out BabyNames.com's tips for writers on naming characters.
(And Jack and Ava are the top Irish baby names at the moment.)
(And Jack and Ava are the top Irish baby names at the moment.)
Labels: resources
Thursday, 27 August 2009
That publishing biz!
Agent Nathan Bransford (at Curtis Brown) quickly runs through how a book gets published, particularly at bigger publishing houses. His blog is a useful resource generally for aspiring and practicing novelists, though sometimes a little too big-publisher and American-centric for those dealing with or hoping to deal with Irish or smaller-scale UK publishers and agents.
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Many Voices, One Mouth
Thanks for this link, Christian - for fans of PostSecret, there's also this site: The Lives of Others - find out more here.
Labels: resources
Monday, 24 August 2009
In a time of economic doom 'n' gloom...
... there still are Creative Careers out there. It's good to know.
(And internships, for that matter. Not that we're biased towards any in particular!)
(And internships, for that matter. Not that we're biased towards any in particular!)
Labels: resources
Writing science fiction?
Some of these 'things to watch out for' are applicable to other kinds of writing, but it's especially useful for sci-fi, where you are more likely to call a rabbit a 'smeerp', or pen an 'Adam and Eve' story.
Labels: resources
Sunday, 23 August 2009
PostSecret
If you have somehow managed not to discover the long-running PostSecret blog, updated every Sunday, have a wander on over.
Labels: resources
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Revising, revisiting, reworking fairy tales?
SurLaLune Fairy Tales is one of the best places to start. Annotated editions of early versions of fairy tales (from Perrault, the Grimms, Hans Christian Anderson, et al), lists of adaptations (whether through novel, story, poem, film or music), collections of illustrations, information on academic and other non-fiction resources relating to fairy tales and folklore. For anyone particularly interested in Irish fairy tales and folklore, the e-books on Irish Fairy Tales, Myths and Folklore of Ireland and Celtic Fairy Tales might be of some use. "In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairy tales should be respected."
-- Charles Dickens
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Writing about Dublin?
Especially in the 1950s and 1960s? The photographic exhibit If ever you go to Dublin town is open at the National Photographic Archive, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar, until October this year. Open 10am-5pm on weekdays, 10am-2pm Saturdays, closed Sundays and bank holidays.
Labels: resources
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Distraction du jour
Check out the Bookworm game.
BIG SMOKE is not responsible for any potential addictions to this game which might result from this post.
BIG SMOKE is not responsible for any potential addictions to this game which might result from this post.
Labels: resources
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Writing quickly
If you think writing a novel in a month seems crazy, check out this piece about writing a book in three days. Not everyone's cup of tea by any stretch of the imagination, though there's something to be said for pushing through first-page perfectionism. The Snowflake method of outlining would probably help if you wanted to go down that route, too.
Labels: resources
Saturday, 15 August 2009
BIG SMOKE hopes you know not to do these things already...
... and can simply laugh your way through this list of How not to impress a publisher.
Labels: resources
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Where do you write?
Fantasy and scifi writers show off their writing spaces. Meanwhile, there's also all the Guardian's Writers' rooms online.
BIG SMOKE is curious if any of its readers write anywhere weird and wonderful. Let us know in the comments.
BIG SMOKE is curious if any of its readers write anywhere weird and wonderful. Let us know in the comments.
Labels: resources
Glimmer Train
Short fiction writers may wish to check out, and hop onboard, Portland, Oregon's Glimmer Train.
Labels: resources
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
"I just don't have the time!"
Success in an Irish context...
Editor Eoin Purcell poses this question over at his blog: How many books do you need to sell to be successful in Ireland?
Labels: resources
Writing4all.ie
For online resources to do with creative writing, including lists of local writers' groups and a forum for sharing work, take a wander over to Writing4all.ie.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Authors on Twitter
For all you Twitter-junkies out there, check out Mashable's list of the best authors on Twitter.
Labels: resources
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