tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31323519032462918632024-02-20T16:29:58.035+00:00Sinead KeeganWriter, teacher, and editor providing bespoke services, workshops, guest lectures, and contentSinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-39739399256531662822020-09-10T13:33:00.000+01:002020-09-10T13:33:07.818+01:0026 Wild<p>Over the lockdown period, in addition to learning to teach university modules digitally and running a series of online workshops and live events, I've also had the pleasure of working on several fantastic projects with <a href="https://www.26.org.uk/" target="_blank">26</a>. I first wrote with this group for the <a href="https://www.26.org.uk/projects/26-armistice#:~:text=After%20four%20years%20of%20unprecedented,centenary%20in%20a%20unique%20way." target="_blank">Armistice project</a> with the <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/">Imperial War Museums</a> and this time the partnership is with <a href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/" target="_blank">The Wildlife Trusts</a> and 56 writers were paired with 56 endangered animals to write a 100 word poem and then an essay about their plight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://26project.org.uk/26wild/about/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJa-u7UGOAoEKQjyYi3Ggrdp96q8E4hBRD9RTSVOutdDXFMmdQBXFTb9NriSPYL-wInA1-wgRadk8a4Xl8m85QlLFU5C0vj8Knr01naSUzi2ZUxgu-yOAL1hacHsl2fyXysmHkLE7VHER/s320/Header_1-1536x450.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>I was delighted to be paired with the Bilberry Bumblebee, which is a native British bumblebee and clearly has the best name of any animal ever. Ever. Tell me a better one. I dare you. (I may have become somewhat attached) It was a fantastic experience that brought me into contact with passionate staff at both the Wildlife Trusts and the <a href="https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/" target="_blank">Bumblebee Conservation Trust</a>. It was a fantastic experience and you can tell from the amazing quality of the writing everyone has produced, that this wasn't just true for me.</p><p>Throughout September, two of these poems are being posted daily and you can read them on the <a href="https://26project.org.uk/26wild/about/" target="_blank">26 Wild project website</a>.</p><p>If you'd like to support The Wildlife Trusts, <a href="https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/26wild" target="_blank">please consider purchasing a copy of the book of these poems and essays, <i>The Story's Not Over</i> via Crowdfunde</a>r. The cost of the book has been covered (largely by us, the contributors) so all your money now goes straight to the Wildlife Trusts and their campaigns to help animals, including humans, survive and thrive in a world full of nature.</p>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-3351234649870090222020-07-29T14:20:00.000+01:002020-07-29T14:29:28.782+01:00Interactive, virtual poetry classesThe Lockdown Literary Festival by <a href="http://www.chawtonhouse.org/" target="_blank">Chawton House</a> was such a success (I'm basically a YouTube star; try not to get too excited) that I'm headed back - virtually - to run a series of workshops over the next three months.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing a talk at the wonderful Lexikopoleio bookshop in Athens, Greece</td></tr>
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Each month will have a theme and we're staring in August with the theme of 'home'. You'll get a writing exercise in advance of the session and during the one hour Zoom we'll talk about how you got on with the exercise (feedback only if you want it), how writers from the <a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/the-library/library-collections/womens-writing-in-english/" target="_blank">Chawton House archive</a> have handled the theme, and how to create successful contemporary poetry on that theme.<br />
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Whether you're a raging introvert and just want to sit quietly and listen in or you can't wait to share your poetry with the whole group, everyone is welcome.<br />
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Although the session is about poetry, prose writers are welcome and many of the things we will discuss also apply to fiction writing.<br />
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Last bit of good news? The session is only £10. That's a steal! Plus you're supporting both a working writer and the wonderful Chawton House.<br />
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<a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/whats-on/poetry-workshops/" target="_blank">So be brave! Sign up. Worst thing that happens is you write a poem.</a><br />
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<br />Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-10147669107416060602020-05-14T16:14:00.000+01:002020-05-14T16:18:02.252+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm delighted to be offering a digital found poetry workshop inspired by the Chawton House archives for their Lockdown Literary Festival. The introduction will be live on their YouTube channel at 11am (BST) tomorrow, Friday, 15th of May, and then we'll follow up with a Facebook Live event from 4-5pm (BST) on Saturday, 16th of May.<br />
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It's suitable for poets of all experience levels from never written a word of poetry to confident writers. <br />
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And it's all free, too! What? Crazy. I know. It's what lockdown does.<br />
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Other (free) events include tours of the house, talks on Jane Austen (she used to live on the estate), and talks with authors from Joanna Trollope to Gill Hornby. <br />
<a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/2020/05/lockdown-literary-festival" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://chawtonhouse.org/2020/05/lockdown-literary-festival" target="_blank">Please join in and have some fun!</a>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-72002189229489240132019-03-07T15:03:00.000+00:002019-03-07T15:03:09.497+00:00Happy World Book Day!A day to celebrate books? Yes, please!<br />
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<a href="http://www.worldbookday.com/" target="_blank">Find out more here and enjoy a book-filled day!</a><br />
<br />Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-37584823983358809112019-02-17T19:12:00.001+00:002019-02-17T19:12:25.987+00:00Working 9 to 5Some of you will no doubt notice the new layout to this site, where the emphasis is now being placed on my writing, teaching and editorial services. It's a brave new world folks, but with Aldous and Dolly on my side, I reckon I can't go too far wrong.<br />
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For some time now - well over a decade, in fact - I've been providing high quality content for businesses, newspapers, and non-profit organisations, and, since completing both my MFA in creative writing and my higher education teaching qualification in 2013, I have also been working with writers of all levels and in many different fields to improve their written communication.<br />
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I've finally decided to take the plunge and change this website from primarily being a blog to a landing page for this writing and teaching business. The blog will still be here, but it's taken a back seat to my other work in the last 2-3 years and now I've reorganised the website to reflect my current priorities. It's been a fun 18 (!!!) years as a blogger, but it's time to devote more time to my passion for teaching. I'm offering all sorts of services to clients around the world - maybe I have something for you.<br />
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So, have a wander around the new site and let me know what you think! I'd be even more grateful, if you'd share the site and recommend me to the writers (or those in need of writers) in your life. Thanks!<br />
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Yours faithfully,<br />
Si<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">n<span style="line-height: 115%;">éad</span></span></span>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-50528019109718832592017-06-12T14:59:00.000+01:002017-06-12T14:59:13.444+01:00SouthWest Fest 2017SouthWestFest is back for another year and so am I, your faithful creative writing workshop leader!<br />
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So if you're interested in free creative writing sessions, come by. There are three sessions: <br />
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<span style="font-weight: 400;">3rd, 4th & 7th of July</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> | 6.00pm -7.00pm | Pimlico Library</span></h4>
You can sign up for a free place at http://southwestfest.org.uk/event/sw-oneworld-creative-writing-workshop but (shh!) just for readers of this blog - even if the sessions say they are booked up, just come by. Tell me you saw it on my blog and I'll squeeze you in!<br />
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<br />Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-80110786600172685002017-06-10T13:38:00.000+01:002017-06-10T13:38:46.483+01:00Off to the British Council Creative Writing Summer School in Athens!Only one week to go. In just seven days I will be packing my bags, ready to head of for a week of chatting writing for the internet with the wonderful students of the <a href="https://www.britishcouncil.gr/en/events/international-creative-writing-summer-school-2017" target="_blank">International Creative Writing Summer School</a> in conjunction with the British Council and Kingston Writing School.<br />
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We'll be building blogs, talking Twitter, writing for Wattpad, how to get work copywriting and, of course, all about creative writing and the internet - all together now: <a href="http://www.allthesins.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>all the sins</i></a>!<br />
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I'm hoping to get some collaborative digital writing going and to have some fun work to share with you all.<br />
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I'm also hoping to survive the heat. I always think I love hot weather but then find myself teetering on the edge of death when it goes above 80F/25C. I'm a pastey northern european no matter how many US summers I've survived (I barely survived one summer in DC...oh, the humidity!).<br />
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Fortunately, I'll have writing, writers and Greek food to get me through. What else could you want?Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-37947734063470609412017-04-27T23:36:00.002+01:002017-04-27T23:36:33.106+01:00Co-editing The SeethingographerIn what is quickly becoming a very busy year, my latest project is co-editing the next volume in <a href="https://seethingography.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Seethingographer</i></a> series of chapbooks published by <a href="https://sampsonlow.co/" target="_blank">Sampson Low Ltd</a>. I heard you murmuring and, yes, you're correct: they are the publishers of such esteemed works as <i>Noddy</i> and <i>Lorna Doone</i>, and even a work or three by Bram Stoker. (cue my swooning love of <i>Dracula</i> [itself not a Sampson Low publication] and my strident reminder that Stoker is Irish)<br />
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Yes, yes, you say, we know Bram Stoker is Irish. <a href="http://www.sineadkeegan.com/2013/03/st-patricks-day-irish-way.html" target="_blank">You say it all the time.</a> The question we have is: What on earth is a chapbook? Well, dear reader, a chapbook is a delightful morsel of art. A collection of poetry, or short fiction, sometimes combined with art and, in this case, a soon-to-be perfect alchemy of all three. The Sampson Low chapbooks are designed to fit into a small bag or pocket (only A6) and are just 16 pages long. They are perfect for a commute, a wait at the doctor's office or a maybe a lunchtime read in the sun. <br />
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I was invited to participate in this venture by the wonderful poet and psychogeographer, <a href="http://www.lucyfurlong.com/" target="_blank">Lucy Furlong</a>, and I'm excited to start reading submissions soon! If you're interested in submitting, here are the details and you can find out more on the <a href="https://seethingography.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/submit/" target="_blank"><i>Seethingography</i> website</a>:<br />
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Theme: Going Home<br />
Flash fiction <170 words<br />
Poetry <20 lines<br />
High res photography/art also welcome<br />
Deadline: 30 April 2017<br />
Submit to: seethingography@gmail.com<br />
Payment: A fabulous copy all your own - it'll be a framer!<br />
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Only a few days left, so get scribbling, snapping and sending. Can't wait to see what you've got.Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-59561497909861585502017-03-21T09:08:00.003+00:002017-03-21T09:11:27.444+00:00Kingston Writing School Reading SeriesThe exciting news this week is that my fab co-editor, <a href="http://www.thegreatpuzzle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lisa Davison</a>, and I will be talking writing and <a href="http://www.allthesins.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>all the sins</i></a> at the <a href="http://www.kingston.ac.uk/KWSevents" target="_blank">Kingston Writing School reading series</a>. We're looking forward to talking with readers and writers and to sharing the stage with the wonderful, Vicky Newham.<br />
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Hope to see some of you out there!<br />
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Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-65239887145386422592017-01-26T11:01:00.004+00:002017-01-26T11:03:58.299+00:00Off to Athens with the British Council!It's official! I mean, they've spelled my name wrong on the website, but, still, I'm pretty sure they mean me.<br />
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This summer, from June 19-23, 2017 I will be teaching a one week course for the British Council and Kingston Writing School's <a href="https://www.britishcouncil.gr/en/events/international-creative-writing-summer-school-2017" target="_blank">Creative Writing Summer School</a>. My sessions will be on writing for the internet including blogging and internet-based publishing. I'm really excited and busy building some fun, hands-on sessions to help writers get comfortable and gain confidence in writing for all you lovely internet readers.<br />
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We'll cover all sorts of topics like finding and maintaining a readership, finding your niche, the basics of SEO, various platforms, tone, length, visuals, whether print is dead and what that means to digital writing and, of course, my passion project, the amazing <a href="https://allthesins.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>all the sins</i></a>. If you are wondering about editing or just being published in an online publication, find out all that entails and get a peek behind the scenes. I'll be telling our secrets and giving you the tips you need!<br />
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If you're interested, the price is fantastic: €340 per week with discounts for residents of Greece (15%), European Youth Card holders (25%!), and anyone who registers before 10 April (10%) for full week classes and €200 for three day classes. There are clases throughout the month of June on flash fiction, fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and publishing/editing in addition to my week on internet writing, and are three hours every evening, with a reading on the Saturday night. It's a great opportunity to focus intensively on your writing with motivated teachers. And, hey, it's in Athens - how far wrong can you go there?<br />
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If you're interested, check out <a href="https://www.britishcouncil.gr/sites/default/files/international-creative-writing-summer-school-2017-tutor-cvs-en.pdf" target="_blank">the full line-up from Forward Prize winner Mona Arshi to New York Times bestseller Julia Stuart</a> at the British Council website.<br />
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<br />Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-4689741938311012182016-11-24T16:07:00.001+00:002016-11-24T16:09:27.487+00:00First They Tried to Silence the ArtistsMy alter-ego, the co-editor of <a href="http://www.allthesins.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>all the sins</i></a>, had a bit of a go at Donald Trump this week. He had a go at the cast of <i>Hamilton: An American Musical</i> last weekend and demanded that the theatre be a safe space. This seems rich coming from a man who encouraged violence at his campaign rallies and has failed to condemn the hate crimes being perpetrated in his name.<br />
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There is so much to speak out about, from the admission of illegal activities by the Trump Foundation to foreign leaders being hosted at Trump Tower to Trump's children and son-in-law being positioned for high-level roles in his administration despite being in control of his businesses. The conflicts of interest are numerous and serious and the president-elect needs to be held accountable for them all.<br />
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The concern I have now, is our ability to do that. <a href="http://allthesins.co.uk/2016/11/22/why-theatre-shouldnt-be-safe/" target="_blank">In my article on <i>all the sins</i></a>, I warned that the silencing of artists would lead to the silencing of more voices. And now <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/can-trump-continue-bypass-press-twitter-white-house-n687376" target="_blank">there are reports</a> that he summonded the press to Trump Tower for a dressing down of their coverage of the campaign - this after he banned press from his campaign if he didn't like their coverage - and he was on Twitter berating The New York Times. Discrediting news sources, denying access and trying to control coverage are all serious warning signs.<br />
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Only today, I spoke to a friend of mine here in London who is a visual and performance artist and who has this week postponed a show he is due to put on in New York. He is an immigrant and a person of colour whose work addresses and questions of gender, sexuality and race. He said he doesn't feel that it would be safe for him in America, right now, and that he is concerned about how he would be treated going through immigration.<br />
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Another voice that will not be heard in Donald Trump's America.<br />
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These silenced voices are a problem. Soon, we will be told that this silencing is 'normal' and the danger is that we will accept it. It is not normal. Information is important. Art is important. But the ability to speak out is essential. The media is not perfect, but we cannot hand control over to the people in power - regardless of who those people are.<br />
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So another call to action: support reputable news sources by putting money into them. News agencies are struggling to do essential, in-depth, investigative reporting because so many of us get our news for free on the internet (me included). If we want journalists to do excellent work and not be beholden to large corporations, politicians or the wealthy, we have to make that possible. We have to support the work that is a critical part of democracy and then we have to demand more from them.<br />
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We must demand that they not be bullied by Trump; that they report critically and investigate thoroughly; that they get feet on the ground and don't let all the flash-bang tactics of the Trump transition team obscure real issues like his conflicts of interest and the ongoing attacks on the Standing Rock Sioux and other protesters trying to protect sacred land and clean water.<br />
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If you believe in free speech, let me assure you that it is under threat. Again, I don't say this to scaremonger, I say this to inspire. You have options. Fear will not solve the problems, we have to look for common ground. The North Dakota protests are happening on Obama's watch. Freedom of the press and demanding that they act in all of our best interest is not an issue of liberalism or conservatism. We all want and deserve correct information. We must reject the post-fact world that many of all political positions say we live in now. Opinion is not fact.<br />
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We are all hearing about the echo-chamber of social media, but unreliable or heavily biased reporting is not new. <a href="https://chomsky.info/" target="_blank">Noam Chomsky</a> has long championed independent media and warned that those with power manipulate the messages we recieve in order to preserve a status quo that favours them. Seek out trustworthy new sources, but this requires a level of critical thinking that many (most?) of us simply don't apply to the news we read.<br />
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Think critically. Read widely. Seek out the facts. Do not be swayed by rhetoric and fear tactics. Demand more. Demand better. And keep speaking out. Keep making art. Keep telling the truth. Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-4489716416914958732016-11-10T15:13:00.000+00:002016-11-10T15:13:10.770+00:00The AftermathI am an immigrant. I have spent almost my entire life as an immigrant. Interestingly, I am not always recognised as an immigrant. But I am declaring today that I am an immigrant.<br />
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Britain, where I live now as an EU citizen, has voted for Brexit and the USA, of which I am a naturalised citizen, has voted for Donald Trump. This is deeply saddening for me. I belive that these votes stem from a long-standing mistreatment of citizens. There are great numbers of people in these two vastly wealthy countries who are ignored by their elected officials and who correctly believe that they are not represented in their governments. We cannot blame these people for knowing this and for wanting change.<br />
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We can and we must hold accountable the politicians who drove these campaigns on rhetoric that attacked our most vulnerable community members. We must reject the fear, racism, sexism, islamophobia, homophobia and xenophobia that has been accepted as a part of politics today. These sentiments do not represent the Americans or British people that I know. They do not represent the multicultural and diverse students who sit in my classrooms. They do not represent my neighbours in London. They do not represent the people I grew up with.<br />
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This harmful rhetoric played on the fears and genuine needs of people, however, and we, as societies, cannot continue to ignore the voices of these people. We must reject bigotry and hatred but we must support one another, even those with whom we disagree. Even those who voted for walls and immigration moratoriums. We must stand together.<br />
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For me, that means insisting that I am an immigrant while recognising my enormous privilege. I am white and I speak English as my first language. These play so far in my favour that I am often told that I'm not 'really' an immigrant. No? Allow me to disillusion you.<br />
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Boston is filled with Irish Americans. People who wear green on St. Patrick's Day and eat corned beef and cabbage. They routinely tell me, 'I'm Irish too!' I love that they are proud of their heritage. I am proud to be part of an Irish diaspora that runs generations deep all around the world. But the fact remains that they have never held a resident alien card; never, as a teenager, have an interview with an immigration official, raised their hand and sworn an oath of allegiance to the United States of America; never been called an illegal alien by their friends; never been told that they talk funny; never been told to go home.<br />
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Imagine if I were a person of colour. Or from a country other than Ireland. Or spoke English as an additional language. Or were Muslim. If I feel vulnerable as a white, Irish, English-speaking woman, I can only imagine what a non-native English-speaking, Muslim, woman of colour must feel.<br />
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There are many things I cannot change today, although I might want to. What I can do is stand up and be counted. I can say clearly that when you speak out against immigrants, you speak out against me. You may say, and many people do say to me, 'Oh, but I don't mean you.' I say that you do mean me. If you object to Syrians fleeing war, then you object to me and my family who have immigrated twice, not because of war, but because the opportunities were better in another country. I am an economic migrant, twice over.<br />
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When you say that Donald Trump only speaks crudely, then you say that my experience as a woman in a world dominated by men has less value than the male experience. You say that when men have catcalled me, grabbed me, physically threatened me, stalked me and told me just what they would like to do to me that it was their right to do so and that I am in the wrong. You say this, even if you are a woman. Sadly, many women have internalised the misogyny so ingrained in our society. How could we not?<br />
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When you say that our countries are being overrun by immigrants who steal your jobs and only come for government benefits, you mean me. You mean me, who teaches your children, who has waited tables, who volunteers in your communities, who donates to charity, who supports the NHS and who pays taxes. More taxes than Donald Trump.<br />
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I am so lucky to have been born where I was, when I was, in my pale skin, and to my parents who lived the American dream. They went to the US as students, built a small business, bought a home and raised a family. This privilege is a responsibility. It requires me to listen and to work so that others can have the same opportunities that I have. It is not easy. It will require sacrifice.<br />
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So, no. I don't believe the world is ending. I am hopeful. I believe that now is the time for us all, as a friend of mine wrote recently, 'to shut up and listen.'<br />
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But before I listen, I declare: I am with you. I am here. I am an immigrant.Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-15714937006812330152016-10-27T11:20:00.000+01:002016-10-27T11:20:01.068+01:00All the sins Has Gone Live!At the beginning of October, my co-editor Lisa Davison and I proudly launched the first edition of <a href="http://www.allthesins.co.uk/" target="_blank"><i>all the sins</i></a>. We have some amazing visual, audio and written art in this issue and we hope it will be the start of a successful publication.<br />
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The bonus of waiting a few weeks to write this update is that I can tell you that the first edition has already generated some interest from some exciting areas! Both other publishing professionals and some fantastic artists have been in touch to say that they loved the work we published or to submit their own work. We even had a fantastic poet contact us to ask how they could be involved in the editorial board! Although we're not looking to expand our team at the moment, we are pretty chuffed that people like our publication enough to want to be a part of it. Thanks!<br />
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I hope you'll have a little look through issue 1. I think there is some wonderful poetry, fiction, visual and audio art up there. I'd love to hear what you think!<br />
<a href="http://www.allthesins.co.uk/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
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<br />Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-73651912734084157012016-09-08T16:34:00.000+01:002016-10-27T11:40:44.814+01:00National Poetry Day 2016In more news that I hope (continues to) explain my absence from my dearly beloved blog, I will be working with the amazing <a href="https://seethingography.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lucy Furlong over at Seethingography</a> in exactly 4 weeks time to celebrate National Poetry Day (UK). We will be at the <a href="http://museumoffutures.org/" target="_blank">Museum of Futures</a> in Surbiton throughout the day running all sorts of fun and challenging exercises and workshops in poetry for people of all ages and experience. There is no need to be a poet, just drop in and have some fun!<br />
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The theme is 'Messages' so come explore ways of sending, receiving, crafting, reflecting, refracting messages and much more. Think letters, bottles at sea, texts, subliminal messages, psychic messages, missed messages, mixed messages and whatever else comes to mind. Get the message? <br />
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What: National Poetry Day<br />
Sounds scary: It's not! Fun activities that anyone can do. Plus enthusiatic writers to help you out!<br />
Where: The Museum of Futures 117 Brighton Rd Surbiton<br />
When: Thursday, 06 October 2016<br />
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Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-55870349607488733432016-08-19T17:04:00.004+01:002016-08-19T17:04:48.870+01:00all the sinsThis summer is a very exciting time for me because I'm thrilled to be fulfilling my dream of starting a literary and arts magazine. The very talented editor and writer, Lisa Davison, agreed to embark on what can only be described as this bit of madness with me. And, after several months of preparation and more than one glass of wine, we launched <i>all the sins</i> on the 19th of July.<br />
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The mission of the magazine is to embrace the internet as a way to broaden artistic discourse between different forms and to connect artists with one another. We hope that people will submit exciting work that breaks all the rules to tell excellent stories in a variety of mediums. The magazine will be published quarterly with a theme centred on an extended feature which is published in advance and, in between editions, we will be running a series of short features about arts (interpret broadly) and about the magazine.<br />
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It's been hectic getting that off the ground so I hope you will forgive my absence from here - but I did promise you big news! Hopefully this is big enough. Be in touch with <a href="http://www.allthesins.co.uk/">www.allthesins.co.uk</a> if you have art or artsy ideas of all sorts. Think outside the page and be sinful!<br />
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<i>"You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit" - Oscar Wilde </i></div>
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(He was Irish, too!)</div>
Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-82413209836524536832016-08-19T16:36:00.001+01:002016-08-19T17:05:50.658+01:00Shortlisted for Blog Awards Ireland!I'm thrilled to announce that this little blog has, once again, made the shortlist for Blog Awards Ireland, this time for the Best of the Diaspora category.<br />
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Part of the judging this year is based on a public vote, so if you have a minute, please pop over to <a href="https://blogawardsireland.secure-platform.com/a/gallery?roundId=17&searchParams=%7B%22pageIndex%22%3A0%2C%22sortMode%22%3A%22AscendingByApplicationName%22%2C%22displayMode%22%3A%22List%22%2C%22filterByApplicationCategoryPath%22%3A%5B174%2C214%5D%2C%22filterByWinnerCategoriesIds%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22filterByFieldValues%22%3A%5B%5D%2C%22filterByApplicationNameOrCode%22%3A%22Finding%20Home%22%7D" target="_blank">Blog Awards Ireland</a> and vote for Finding Home! Voting ends Tuesday, 23 August, so vote early!<br />
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<br />Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-55610479325908834432016-06-23T14:11:00.000+01:002016-06-23T14:11:54.494+01:00Comedy much needed on referendum dayLooking for something to do after you cast your vote today? Why not come to SoutWestFest's Comedy night at the Marquis of Westminster? Many thank to <a href="http://sw1.london/2016/06/southwestfest-brings-great-sw1/">SW1.London</a> for having me as a contributor, writing about my dear SouthWestFest.<br />
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Fantastic comedy from <span class="_4n-j fsl"><a href="https://twitter.com/revillations" target="_blank">Paul Revill</a>, <a href="http://www.luketoulson.com/" target="_blank">Luke Toulson</a>, <a href="http://www.jennycolliercomedy.com/" target="_blank">Jenny Collier</a> and <a href="http://www.olaffalafel.com/" target="_blank">Olaf Falafal</a> in a great, Pimlico pub and in support of SouthWestFest. All for the low price of <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">£</span>7.20 - you can't get that anywhere else!</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">Plus, we might all need a tipple tonight.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">A note on the vote: If you're voting leave because you want to 'control Britain's border', or if you're thinking of voting for Trump because you want to protect America from all those hoards of immigrants taking your jobs, that's me you're talking about. Me.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">I was an immigrant to the US and I'm an immigrant to the UK. I work. I pay taxes. I support the NHS. I teach your children. I teach you. And I put hours into SouthWestFest all year round. Volunteer hours to make my adopted community better and stronger. Unpaid hours to foster community spirit, to teach skills to people who live, work and study in South Westminster, to give people access to arts, education and one another that they might not otherwise have.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">More Brits live abroad than immigrants live in the UK. So if we're talking about the strain on public services, I promise you, I'm easier on the NHS than the British pensioners on the Costa de Sol are on the Spanish healthcare system. I realise I'm white, have blue eyes and speak English as my native language, but don't let that fool you. I'm still *gasp!* an immigrant.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">And I'm proud of it.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">I'm proud to be the child of immigrants, too.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">So if you're anti-immigrant, ask yourself why? Do you object to a university-educated, English-speaking, white immigrant? Is it actually the immigrant bit you object to? Because if it is, you ought to tell me to go home, too.</span><br />
<span class="_4n-j fsl"><br /></span>
<span class="_4n-j fsl">Interesting note: I wish I could say that people won't take me up on that, but I've been told 3 times that Irish people aren't welcome in England. Once was a very awkward taxi ride when the driver called all Irish people terrorists. Once I was told to get out of a shop, that my 'kind' wasn't welcome there. And once was just a few weeks ago when the checkout lady at Sainsbury's who knows me and knows I'm from Ireland told me that Irish people specifically were responsible for the breakdown of the NHS.</span>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-31010225143819269512016-06-07T21:41:00.001+01:002016-06-23T14:14:11.760+01:00Blogging Workshop fullI'm excited to announce that the blogging masterclass sold out in a matter of days! You'll have to catch me next year. Or...you could try public speaking or creative writing! There are two creative writing sessions left. This Thursday, we'll be focussing on beginning cracking good short stories.<br />
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Last week's session was awesome. We wrote a collaborative poem without writing a word, dove into our memories to write poems about bees, university kitchens and birdseed and pushed one another to write better. It's a great group so join us!<br />
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Book your free place on this or next week's workshop at www.southwestfest.org.uk.<br />
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Can't wait to see you there!Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-1616863687576476762016-05-31T14:08:00.000+01:002016-05-31T14:13:01.775+01:00SouthWestFest 2016 Workshops!This Thursday is the first of the annual series of 3 workshops that I run with <a href="http://southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on" target="_blank">SouthWestFest</a>. They are a great time and suitable for writers of all levels. In the past we have had complete beginners through to competition winners. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive, but the feedback is astute and pushes writers to improve, regardless of from where they are starting.<br />
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Best of all, these workshops are FREE! So much cheaper than doing a university degree to get into a class with me ;-).<br />
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I'm also running two additional workshops this year: an introduction to blogging and one on public speaking. If either of these intrigues or intimidates you, come on out for a friendly, practical introduction that will build your confidence and your skills.<br />
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<b>Creative Writing:</b><br />
Thursdays, 2nd, 9th and 16th of May 5:45-7:45pm in the Pimlico Library<br />
You don't have to come to all 3 sessions, but they will be different, so it would be great if you did!<br />
Please bring a pen and paper!<br />
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<b>Public Speaking:</b><br />
Monday, 20th June 5-6pm in the Pimlico Library<br />
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<b>Introduction to Blogging:</b><br />
Monday, 20th June 6:30-7:30pm in the Pimlico Library<br />
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<a href="https://www.musicglue.com/southwestfest/" target="_blank">Book your free place here.</a><br />
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<a href="http://southwestfest.org.uk/get-involved" target="_blank">Find out about the Stories of SW1 Annual Writing Competition here.</a><br />
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<a href="http://southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on" target="_blank">Check out all the great SouthWestFest activities, workshops and events on our website - it's going to be a great festival!</a>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-19553679908440216872016-05-21T10:00:00.000+01:002016-05-31T14:15:03.395+01:002016 Stories of SW1 Writing Competition launches!<a href="http://southwestfest.org.uk/get-involved" target="_blank">The 3rd Annual Stories of SW1 Writing Competition</a> is running again this year - yay! Our theme this year is Heroes and Heroines so we're looking for all sorts of heroic tales.<br />
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<span class="_4n-j fsl">Engage us, entertain us, tell us about heroic
deeds attempted, achieved and failed. From superheroes with superpowers
to everyday heroism - be creative!<br /> <br /> Send your best flash fiction and/<wbr></wbr><span class="word_break"></span>or
poem to info@southwestfest.org.uk. Each writer can submit up to two (2)
pieces of writing, e.g. 2 poems OR 2 flash fictions OR 1 poem and 1
flash fiction.<br /> <br /> Flash fiction must be under 500 words, poetry
must be 20 lines or fewer, scripts must be 10 minutes or fewer. The
entry fee is £3 for the first submission, plus £2 for additional
submissions (2 = £5, 3 = £7 etc.) and is payable through PayPal via the
email address info@southwestfest.org.uk<br /> <br /> You must include proof of payment with your submission. This payment is non-profit making and supports the prizes. <br /> <br />
Writing must be sent in the body of an email because attachments will
not be opened. Deadline is Midnight on Tuesday, 14th June 2016. The
judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into
regarding that decision.<br /> <br /> The first prize is £50.00. Depending on
the quantity and quality of submissions, we may be able to offer more
prizes so get writing! Further information can be found on our website: <a href="http://www.southwestfest.org.uk/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.southwestfest.org.uk</a></span><br />
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<span class="_4n-j fsl">** If you've always dreamed of writing but haven't done it because you're nervous you won't have anything to say, you're not sure how to start or maybe you write all the time but want to improve, check out <a href="http://southwestfest.org.uk/whats-on" target="_blank">the FREE writing workshops available through SouthWestFest!</a>**</span><br />
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<b><span class="_4n-j fsl">Our amazing judge this year is writer, performer, walker, blogger and poet, Lucy Furlong.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE8RrOMz3F-jtf_3wxR3ujl9VD26Mc2LIXdqdxqBIriOHJsYvvOMS0IDh9ZgdBTbo6kCRiEqPESIcbIoMXK1B7QHukr6JQmt1M2adlecfBf7ZCw8OAosEEpgbeRkHypbjoQyFuQWQ5qio/s1600/Lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE8RrOMz3F-jtf_3wxR3ujl9VD26Mc2LIXdqdxqBIriOHJsYvvOMS0IDh9ZgdBTbo6kCRiEqPESIcbIoMXK1B7QHukr6JQmt1M2adlecfBf7ZCw8OAosEEpgbeRkHypbjoQyFuQWQ5qio/s320/Lucy.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Lucy Furlong's writing has been widely published, and, in 2013, one of her poems was nominated for a Forward Prize and a Pushcart Prize. Her poetry map, <i>Amniotic City</i>, was featured in <i>The Guardian</i> and her pamphlet, <i>clew</i>, was published by Hesterglock Press in 2015. Her latest poetry map, <i>Over the Fields</i>, was published in September last year. She regularly reads and performs her work nationally, and recently took part in a literature festival in Berlin. She has an MFA in creative writing, and has lectured at Kingston University and at the Rose Theatre, Kingston upon Thames. <a href="http://www.lucyfurlong.com/">www.lucyfurlong.com</a><a href="http://www.lucyfurlong.com/" target="_blank">www.lucyfurlong.com</a><br />
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.lucyfurlong.com/"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></a></span>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-54843946810098558532016-05-19T21:38:00.001+01:002016-05-19T21:40:08.969+01:00SeethingographyToday marks another publication. I'm very happy to have both a poem and two photos published today on <a href="https://seethingography.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Seethingography</a>. It's an exciting new website that is looking for diverse ways to capture the spirit of Seething. <br />
<br />
<i>Seethingography is: the writing and study of the <a href="http://www.seethingwells.org/Welcome_to_Seething_Home.html">State of Seething.</a></i><br />
<br />
Where is this magical land of summer ski competitions, gastropubs and
shopping trolleys on sign posts? It's in and around Surbiton. So, come
on you Kingston and KU writers (especially those of you who lived in
Seething Wells!), I know you have things to say about the area. If you have anything Seething have a look at their <a href="https://seethingography.wordpress.com/writing/" target="_blank">submissions guidelines</a> and get sending! The site is edited by <a href="http://lucyfurlong.com/" target="_blank">the inimitable and formidable poet, Lucy Furlong</a>, so send your best!Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-5105015460830603992016-05-03T17:11:00.000+01:002016-05-03T17:11:33.203+01:00New publicationDelighted to be able to announce that I have two new poems in the latest edition of <a href="http://www.thelakepoetry.co.uk/poetry/sinead-keegan/" target="_blank"><i>The Lake</i></a>, which is a great digital poetry magazine.<br />
<br />
As has become woefully habitual, I am well behind in my posts here, but I will have some news coming up. Promise!Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-43421143091306281992015-07-16T16:14:00.000+01:002015-07-16T16:14:28.100+01:00The Problem with TalentOne update this year. Shocking behaviour! But I've had a busy year. Honest. Super busy.<br />
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I ended up with loads of teaching this year, which regular readers will guess made me extremely happy. I had first and second years in class, did a bit with some postgrads and got to see the first students I had in their first year finish at uni. Wow, where did that time go?<br />
<br />
It was a privilege to see them grow and develop both as people and as writers. They are an impressive bunch. Some of them are throwing themselves into the professional writing community and are being recognised for their considerable talents. But the most satisfying thing for me has been to see how their work ethics and confidence have developed. Students who lacked confidence and didn't start at the top of the class have ended up there because they put in the work.<br />
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This seems to be the overlooked element of creative writing. There's <a href="http://www.sineadkeegan.com/2014/03/whats-value-of-creative-writing-degree.html#more" target="_blank">a debate about whether universities and adult ed centres are just making money off aspiring writers without giving them anything in return.</a> Big name writers often go prancing about declaring that writing cannot be taught. One once rubbed his fingers in the air like I was a flightless Tinkerbell and he was sprinkling pixie dust on me, saying, "We'll have to see if you have...have that something special." Dramatic and makes for an interesting aside in this blog post, but it's utter rubbish. At least I think it's rubbish, but even if I'm wrong, talent isn't enough. You have to work. Malcolm Gladwell would say 10,000 hours of work. And if 10,000 hours sounds like a lot, like too much, you might want to find another job, one you want to spend that much time at, because I'm not convinced 10,000 hours is enough.<br />
<br />
If you ask me, talent is wildly overrated. In fact, I think we do students a disservice by focusing on their talent. There have been studies (which I do not have to hand - refer to Google. I'm busy, remember? Super busy.) about praising kids for their cleverness vs their hard work and experts have found that kids who are told their work ethic is their strong suit are more likely to be successful in life. They are less afraid to try and less discouraged by failure. Sounds like the perfect writer. Because there's a lot of failing and then failing better in writing.<br />
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And if you're talented? Well, bully for you, but you'd better be prepared to work your little tail off because the one thing I've learned in three years of teaching is that there are most certainly people a lot more and a lot less talented than you who are willing to put in 20,000 hours of writing. And that much practice will make anyone's writing better than that novel you're still dreaming you'll write tomorrow.<br />
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And on that note, the ending of my novel is calling me... Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-64538707720100911602015-03-10T16:13:00.000+00:002015-05-12T11:18:12.030+01:00SWF Competition Time Again!I'm delighted to announce that the Stories of SW1 Writing Competition is running again! We have an all start judging panel and are accepting scripts this year. It's a big year for SouthWestFest!<br />
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Writers from around the world are invited to submit their representations of South Westminster. Think past, present, future and alternate. What is the South Westminster you know or can envision? We're looking forward to seeing your creative interpretations of the theme!<br />
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There are also some amazing workshops running including script writing with the Royal Court and creative writing with yours truly. Other partners include the National Portrait Gallery and their a pop-up portrait stall if you want to learn how to take amazing photos of your friends and families.<br />
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<a href="http://southwestfest.org.uk/swf/index.php/whats/sw1writingcomp/" target="_blank">Visit the SouthWestFest website to enter the writing competition</a>!<br />
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Our judges are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQGu7ktf9skNF5AwVDbB5VsG2g2cXjMumLs67s011ws7u1hUvSR54macFp2BwnJuNH1Q-rrFv8aI4RgRAd5z_qidUlBDJCsr6uSLO0jOFzYzrLvIlMT1rwImpGx0x_2JNqOp-gLJ0Elk3/s1600/Hannah+Vincent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQGu7ktf9skNF5AwVDbB5VsG2g2cXjMumLs67s011ws7u1hUvSR54macFp2BwnJuNH1Q-rrFv8aI4RgRAd5z_qidUlBDJCsr6uSLO0jOFzYzrLvIlMT1rwImpGx0x_2JNqOp-gLJ0Elk3/s1600/Hannah+Vincent.jpg" /></a></div>
<b> Hannah Vincent </b><span style="line-height: 1.5;">began her writing life as a playwright after studying drama at the </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">University of East Anglia. Her plays include The Burrow, Throwing Stones (Royal Court </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Theatre) and Hang (National) </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">working on classic adaptations as well as original drama serials from 1996 – 2001.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span>
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<span style="line-height: 1.5;"> She now </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">teaches Creative Writing for the Open University. Her debut novel, Alarm Girl, was published </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">by Myriad Editions in 2014 and was shortlisted for the 2013 Hookline Novel Competition. Her </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">first radio play, Come to Grief, won the Best Drama (Adaptation) category at the 2015 BBC </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Audio Drama Awards.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1vE2rRykesGuQ1oXqSI3ajndsNqy1zNK6dFPFUHjNZtb-sdppgZhyVGo-atd0FYMRGuW2Y5UwueN5OkypYelndhVnEBnP7AdIbXcSSmy1PfyxKGGTURqE0lw1IIq_Eobt3-qPnpP_hZI/s1600/Martin+Daws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1vE2rRykesGuQ1oXqSI3ajndsNqy1zNK6dFPFUHjNZtb-sdppgZhyVGo-atd0FYMRGuW2Y5UwueN5OkypYelndhVnEBnP7AdIbXcSSmy1PfyxKGGTURqE0lw1IIq_Eobt3-qPnpP_hZI/s1600/Martin+Daws.jpg" /></a><b>Martin Daws</b> is a performance poet and spoken word artist. He is the Young People’s <span style="line-height: 1.5;">Laureate for Wales. He was declared Farrago Slam Champ twice, was runner-up for both the</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry in 2007 and the Glastonbury Festival Slam in 2008. His </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">2008 debut at the Edinburgh Festical earned a five star review. He has been published in </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">numerous international journals and is the author of Skin Tight the Sidewalk, a book/CD. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 1.5;">He </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">regularly performs around the UK and Ireland and has worked with organizations including </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Literature Wales, National Opera Wales, The British Council, Apples and Snakes and Urban w</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">ord NYC.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KWVoo6WItxCQkdW9BYyVflO_jFxgPz5tsdAB6yaQ1gsU8z1PhgXz5DyBIL8Fqb6i_FDWJ3KBdoWD6Xcx3EEYO9fy-tCX_AiGwBSfjo7yfTm0ydrLXRUNRQlhFNgZeiLQHNKEF_2OuBfD/s1600/Royal+Court.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KWVoo6WItxCQkdW9BYyVflO_jFxgPz5tsdAB6yaQ1gsU8z1PhgXz5DyBIL8Fqb6i_FDWJ3KBdoWD6Xcx3EEYO9fy-tCX_AiGwBSfjo7yfTm0ydrLXRUNRQlhFNgZeiLQHNKEF_2OuBfD/s1600/Royal+Court.jpg" /></a><b>The Royal Court</b> Theatre in Sloane Square is the writers’ theatre. It is the leading force in <span style="line-height: 1.5;">world theatre for energetically cultivating writers – undiscovered, new and established. Over </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">120,000 people visit the Royal Court in Sloane Square, London, each year and many thousands </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">more see its work elsewhere through transfers to the West End and New York, national and </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">international tours, residencies across London and site-specific work.</span>Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3132351903246291863.post-5453278245333928542014-09-30T10:10:00.000+01:002014-09-30T10:18:12.207+01:00Hopeful Writing and the Future LibraryA few weeks ago I had the great fortune to encounter this little gem on Twitter: <a href="http://katiepaterson.org/futurelibrary/" target="_blank">Future Library</a>. It's a fascinating artwork-in-progress by <a href="http://katiepaterson.org/futurelibrary/" target="_blank">Katie Paterson</a> which involves a forest in Norway, books and 100 years. Oh, and Margaret Atwood. Ah, yes, now we see why Si<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">néa</span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I presume that she calls this an 'artwork' rather than 'work of art' or 'installation' because the Future Library is an ongoing, developing happening that seems to me to really touch the beauty of literature and our relationship with it and our world. A forest has been planted in Norway and every year a writer will be selected to write a piece to go into this future library. No one except the writer will know what this piece of writing is until the 100 years are up. At that point, the forest will be cut down and used to make the books on which all the writing will be printed.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/97512418?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=74a8a4" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/97512418">Future Library, Katie Paterson</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/katiepaterson">Katie Paterson</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
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The hippy in me is, of course, upset that they're going to cut down a forest, but that's a fact of book making and, I suppose, a tradeoff that I'm willing to make. The reader in me is gutted because it seems unlikely that I will ever get to read whatever Margaret Atwood will submit this year. And, at the same time, the reader in me is incredibly excited by this project.<br />
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Margaret Atwood and Katie Paterson say in Atwood's video that it's exciting that we have the hope that people will still be reading 100 years into the future. Is it though? Perhaps I'm naive to think that there will always be readers, but I still believe this. The children who will almost certainly be alive in 100 years are not so far away. Is there a chance that the love of reading will be lost in the next 10, 20, 30 years? If so, I think it bodes very poorly for humanity.<br />
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Paterson explains that this project is about the printed book and so they have 'buried' a printing press in the library so that future generations can be taught how to produce printed books. This, I think, is a less dire question about the reading future. Although I love printed books and I think that they have inherent worth as objects in and of themselves, and although I do not share the belief that the printed book is dying, I do think the printed word is undergoing a transformation and probably will not be the same in 100 years. It has changed over the past 100 years, so why not in the next 100? I love this idea that the art of bookmaking, as it is today, will be preserved.<br />
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I also love Paterson's idea of 'growing a book.' As the trees grow, they are affected by our world and by us and then they will be transformed into the books which will be speaking from the past, from the birth and growth of these trees to a future. As Atwood says, writing is a kind of time capsule, a way of speaking from one time to another, this is just a longer time. In a way, these trees are also a time capsule. Paterson's choice of tree rings as the project's representative image is, no doubt, quite deliberate, wanting to call to mind how tree rings not only show the tree's growth but also what happens in the outside world: when droughts came; when pestilence struck; what trees around it did; if a forest fire ever struck and more. Trees, like books, both react to and represent our world.<br />
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So, even though I'm sad not to be able to read Atwood's newest book, I'm excited by this artwork. I am not hopeful that there will be readers queuing up to get their hands on these books in 100 years. I am certain they will be there and that they will count themselves lucky to have been born at the right time to be able to read these time capsules, printed on time capsules that have been growing for 100 years.<br />
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And now for the wonderful Margaret Atwood...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/104917141?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=74a8a4" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/104917141">Margaret Atwood - the first writer for Future Library</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/katiepaterson">Katie Paterson</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div>
Sinead Keeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07146296976891152028noreply@blogger.com0