Big Smoke Writing Factory

Upcoming courses...

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:29:00 +0000

A time/date for our Beginning To Write daytime class has been confirmed: Tuesdays, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting February 23rd. Booking is open now.

For those moving past beginners' stage, we have Beyond Beginners, available on Thursday evenings (starting this month) and Saturday afternoons (starting in March). For continuation workshops with specific facilitators, which include a mix of returning students and newcomers, there are Line Production workshops with Nicole Rourke (starting this month) and advanced Writing Train workshops with Yvonne Cullen (March start dates TBC).

Nicole's day-long The Drama of Writing workshop is available at a discount to current Big Smoke students and will be taking place on Saturday, February 27.

Maggie Smith Hurt, who demystifies poetry here at Big Smoke, will be running a unique-to-Ireland Parent and Baby Creativity Workshop on Friday mornings, beginning in March.

And finally, there are still a couple of places left on the guest-taught Stand Up Comedy course, returning to Big Smoke for a second term from Friday evening - drop us an email if you're a last-minute booker and we'll keep you posted.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

Blow out those candles!

bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com (Big Smoke Writing Factory) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Big Smoke would like to wish its very wonderful patron a Happy Birthday!

Parent and Baby Creativity Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Being a new parent can be a delight and a challenge. The good news is that the challenges coincide with a boost in brain function, creativity and focus, not to mention the joy and wonderment of watching a new baby develop and grow.

This course is designed for parents of babies (newborns to one year olds) who are looking for a course that allows them to bring their babies to class, talk to other parents about the challenges of new parenthood and rediscover their creativity as they grow and change in their new role as parents.

Over a 10 week period students in this course will learn to find time to get back in touch with their creative side while maintaining their most important role as parents. Classes will consist of in-class writing exercises and discussions, workshops for sharing creative work and weekly suggestions for at-home writing time.

Ultimately, after taking this course you will feel the support and creative ideas of other parents who are also trying to find the time and energy to keep a bit of themselves and their passion for writing going during the first year of parenthood. Students will discover how life changing experiences can foster our interests and passions even if it’s just one small step at a time.

Maggie Smith Hurt is the mother of a two year old, a writer and a teacher. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Hunter College in New York City and has written a book of poems and a chapbook. Her poems were recently published in The SHOp Poetry Journal. She has taught creative writing courses in Poetry, Fiction and Memoir at Hunter College in NYC, UCD, The Irish Writers’ Centre and Big Smoke Writing Factory since 2002.

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €250
Facilitator: Maggie Smith Hurt

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Spring 2010

TUESDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting March 12, 2010.
Book by March 5, 2010

For all you iPhone junkies...

bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com (Big Smoke Writing Factory) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:06:00 +0000

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.

From Poetry to Chick Lit at Big Smoke...

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:36:00 +0000

A terrific time was had by all at this evening's Poetry Saloon!

Next Saturday, January 30th, as our guest workshop in Writing A Bestseller: How To Successfully Write and Publish Chick Lit is taking place, we will once again have members of the Big Smoke team on hand to take registrations for upcoming courses and answer queries between 1-3pm. Feel free to come along, and take a look at our course list to see what's starting in February!

Coming up next week...

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:46:00 +0000

... we have several new sets of classes starting.

-- Our evening Beginning To Write classes for those starting out. There's a couple of spaces still available on the Tuesday night, while Monday and Thursday (which will run a week later) are still open for booking.

-- Registration stays open later for those of you who are past the beginners' stage and would like to hop on board Yvonne Cullen's (intermediate) Writing Train.

-- There are still a couple more places left in our guest workshop, Marisa Mackle's Writing A Bestseller: How To Successfully Write and Publish Chick Lit, if anyone writing commercial fiction would like to snap them up.

-- And finally, this Sunday (January 24th), do pop along to the Poetry Saloon from 4pm!

Poetry Saloon (Sunday, January 24th)

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:12:00 +0000

Dear readers,

You are invited to:

Songs of Praise,
A Poetry Saloon

at 4pm on Sunday 24th January, at the Big Smoke Writing Factory, where you will be treated to some of the best new poetry being written in this town - we really think so!

We'll put a glass in your hand while you listen. And if you're still getting organised to register for that Big Smoke course, a member of the team will be on hand to help with that.

Astonishingly fine poems on a Sunday afternoon in our little Georgian drawing room. Sure, where else would you be going?

Some things on a Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:34:00 +0000

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!).

Course list: spring 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Here's the schedule for upcoming classes. Booking is open: click course titles for a course description as well as links for booking online! (Courses which have started or are closed for booking will not appear on this list.)

Already know what class you want to sign up for? Download the registration form as a PDF or Word document, or click through to the course page for Paypal links.

Please note that the closing date for booking is one week before the course start date. (Some of our courses will accept bookings after this if space is available, but do contact us to discuss with the facilitator.)

Quick links:
Beginning To Write
10-week specialist courses
12-week intermediate courses
12-week specialist courses
Advanced workshops
One-day specialist workshops

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BEGINNING TO WRITE courses
€240, 10 weeks

Beginning To Write: course description and how to book

Evenings
MONDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 1, 2010.
THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 4, 2010.

Daytime
TUESDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting February 23, 2010.

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10-WEEK SPECIALIST COURSES
€250

Stand-Up Comedy
FRIDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 5, 2010.

Parent and Baby Creativity Workshop
FRIDAY, 10.30am-12.30pm, starting March 12, 2010.

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12-WEEK INTERMEDIATE COURSES
€280

Line Production (Continuation)
MONDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 15, 2010.

Beyond Beginners
THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting February 11, 2010.

Line Production (Developing)
FRIDAY, 11am-1pm, starting February 5, 2010.

Beyond Beginners
SATURDAY, 1pm-3pm, starting March 13, 2010.

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12-WEEK COURSES (WORKSHOPS AND SPECIALIST COURSES)
€280

Demystifying Poetry
TUESDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting March 9, 2010.

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ADVANCED WORKSHOPS

Writing Train workshops (Intermediate)
14 weeks, €315
TUESDAY, 6.30pm-8.45pm. Students may still join this workshop.
WEDNESDAY, 10.45am-1pm. Students may still join this workshop.

Writing Train workshops (Advanced)
17 weeks, €395
WEDNESDAY, 7pm-9.30pm, starting March 2010.
THURSDAY, 6.45pm-9.15pm, starting March 2010.

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ONE-DAY SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS

The Drama of Writing
SATURDAY, full day, February 27, 2010.

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Please note that occasionally we may need to adjust our schedule in order to best accommodate student numbers and interests. When we need to do this, we will always contact students who have already signed up for a course, and always ensure that our online course schedule is up to date.

See also:
BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies
How do I pay for a course?

Open Registration Days

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Interested in signing up for one of our upcoming courses? We'll be holding several open registration days before the start of our winter/spring term.

Thursday 14th January, 5.30pm-8.30pm
Sunday 17th January, 2pm-6pm
Wednesday 20th January, 5.30pm-8pm

(Sign-ups will also be available during the Poetry Saloon, Sunday 24th January, 4pm-6pm.)

You can register for courses (please note that we can only accept cash or cheque at open days - credit card payments can be processed only through Paypal at present), or just discuss with one of us what kind of course might suit you best. As ever, there will be tea!

Find us at 7 Lower Hatch St, Dublin 2.

Writing Saloon: A Salon with an extra 'o'!

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:02:00 +0000

So what else has been going on at BIG SMOKE lately apart from preparing for open days and getting ready for our 2010 courses?

(Click for larger image) Pictured: James Stafford and Hannah Carabine

An occasional event linked to the Writing Train workshops, The Writing Saloon met last month in Yvonne Cullen's house. We had turf fires (along with fires in our heads) going strong in two rooms, all evening, and such a staggering assortment of party food that we simply had to break for two indoor picnics instead of one. File under 'a tough job but someone's got to do it!' All told, it was a lovely evening and there'll definitely be more of them for Writing Train members in 2010. Yvonne's already mulling over the form these will take, and reckons some will be workshops like last weekend's event, while others - inspired by what she's heard of the artist Louise Bourgeois's open houses in Manhattan - may just be Reading Picnics. Writing Saloon. "Salon with an extra 'o'," indeed!

And another favourite Smoke winter poem...

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:14:00 +0000

...for you to read this weekend - Wallace Stevens's The Snow Man.

Big Smoke course start dates

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:16:00 +0000

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!

Happy 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 12:15:00 +0000

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.

Happy holidays from Big Smoke!

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:04:00 +0000

Big Smoke wishes you all the best over the holidays! See you in 2010.

"I want to convey something that is truer than truth about our common humanity..."

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Some creativity, warmth and wisdom for these chilly days, with Isabelle Allende's TED talk, 2007.

How to cook a husband, and other things to do over the holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:52:00 +0000

London's Wellcome Library offers up for December the Top 10 Tips for Surviving Christmas - 17th century-style.

A note from the Factory...

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Feeling the post-budget blues? Just a quick note: another term of the guest class in Stand-Up Comedy has been added to our 2010 course list. (A comedy showcase from this term's group will be taking place tomorrow in the Exchange, in association with Big Smoke: more details on Facebook.)

And a reminder for those of you doing your Christmas shopping: Big Smoke gift certificates are available online!

But don't throw the baby out with the bathwater...

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:51:00 +0000

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!

Inspiration and procrastination

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:41:00 +0000

Take a look at Jennifer Blanchard's collection of the 43 most inspiring writing advice posts of 2009.

How can I be added to the Big Smoke newsletter mailing list?

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:25:00 +0000

To receive our newsletter and keep up to date with any upcoming events and new courses, email bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com with ‘Put me on the newsletter mailing list’ in the subject line.

Stand-Up Comedy

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Developing your Comedy Career: Better Jokes, More Gigs, Bigger Audiences

Whether you are a complete beginner looking to write your first ‘club set’, or a more experienced comedian hoping to tour a successful one-person show, this course is for you. Abie will assess the interests, talents and ambitions of all students, and then build the course around them. Every student will receive individual input on their material and ideas, with suggestions on how to develop and market these into a solo show, where requested. The whole group can also offer insights.

This approach means that the whole class learns from each other's (and the teacher's) experiences, and can offer help or suggestions. A key part of the course is working out what makes you stand out from other comics.
Because of the above, the course content will vary somewhat depending on whether you sign up, and who else joins you. But the kinds of things that Abie can help you with are:

• Stage presence and audience rapport.
• Getting the maximum impact from your jokes, and developing ideas to their full potential.
• Building a solid club set.
• Dealing with hecklers, talkers and inattentive crowds. MCing.
• Translating your stand-up set into an engaging and commercially viable one-person show
• Touring theatres and festivals around Ireland and internationally
• Using the media to build a public profile and market your comedy
• Writing press releases/festival brochure entries for maximum impact
• ‘Cracking’ the Edinburgh Fringe, without losing €10,000 – maximising audiences, minimising expenses.

BIG SMOKE class/workshop policies

Length: 10 weeks
Fee: €250
Guest Teacher: Abie Philbin Bowman

About the teacher
Abie Philbin Bowman has taught creative writing in Trinity College Dublin and at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth. He is also the writer and performer of one of the most successful Irish one-man comedy shows of the decade. ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ – his debut – took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm. It got rave reviews, completely sold out and was reported by over 30 media outlets, including BBC News, Le Monde and the New York Times. The show then sold out throughout Ireland, as well as touring London’s West End, the USA and Pakistan. (Abie is the only Western stand-up stupid enough to have performed a religious, political comedy in Pakistan during the 2007 State of Emergency). ‘Jesus: The Guantanamo Years’ has since become a top 10 hit on iTunes in Japan and across Europe. Along with his second show, ‘Eco-Friendly Jihad’, Abie has sold out and turned a profit at Edinburgh for three years running. He was dubbed “a rising star” by Time magazine, given his own radio show by i105-107, and boycotted by Ian Paisley’s DUP.

Spring 2010

FRIDAY, 6.30pm-8.30pm, starting February 5, 2010.

Big Smoke Open Registration Day this week!

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:30:00 +0000

For anyone interested in signing up for one of our upcoming courses, do come along to 7 Lower Hatch St, this Saturday (December 5th), 3pm-6pm, and have a chat with the facilitators about your writing course needs, over (as usual!) a cup of tea.

A couple of things on a Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:25:00 +0000

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!

New-fangled technologies!

noreply@blogger.com (Claire) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:07:00 +0000

The wonderful Children's Books Ireland are hosting a seminar this Saturday (November 28th) on Digital Developments and the Possibilities they Offer.