Hello everyone,
Greetings, not from the cottage actually – I daren’t even look at what’s going on over there. Every time I try to conjure up an image of our house I see my builder as Wile E Coyote in the old cartoons, remember him? Blowing stuff up with ACME TNT. Boom! So yes, we are still very much in the demolition stages over there. It will be great when it’s done I know it but…
How do you like my new graphic? How many have you read? It gives me no end of joy to see these gathered like this. I recall the late, great Maeve Binchy saying how when she started a new book she would often feel overwhelmed and unsure she had another one in her, and then she’d look a the shelf above her desk where all of her books sat and she thought, ‘if I did it before I can do it again.’ And so this virtual bookshelf does the same for me.
So I’m currently at the seaside, in East Cork and loving the sunny weather. Right across the road here is a primary school. The kids were just released for the long summer holiday last week and to see the delight, the little ones and the not so little ones too, leaping out the gates like young goats made me smile, but also gave me a little pang.
I was a teacher for many years before becoming a full time author. I taught English and History at a boy’s secondary school and I loved every minute. Teenagers are a much maligned cohort of our society, but I love them. I love their energy, their sense of humour, their idealism, and enthusiasm for life. I was energised by the time I spent with those lads and I really miss that interaction every day. There was rarely a day that I didn’t laugh and I hope I managed to bring some good things to their days too.
I love hearing from readers, and as you know I try to respond to all of my mail, it’s not always possible but I do try but I especially love to hear from young readers and teachers. I made a little video here for a class that read The Star and the Shamrock, if you’d like to see it. If you have any ideas about wring, or a secret desire to write, or someone you know has something they want to write, you might find some words of encouragement here.
Me talking to some students (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9R_xzWM1uQ)
Meanwhile, I’m spending the summer looking after my wonderful parents who are not well, so I’m taking a break from writing. Twenty three books in ten years is a lot so I feel like I need a rest, and as many of you know caring for sick people is an onerous task and takes all of one’s energy so I’m prioritising that for now, as they did caring for our family all of their lives.
The West’s Awake is doing amazingly well, thanks to all who bought it, and the third book, The Harp and the Rose will be out in August but there may be a bit of a longer wait after that for a new book because of the circumstances. There will be one forthcoming I promise though, I’ve not abandoned ship!
You can preorder The Harp and the Rose here if you wish. https://geni.us/TheHarpandtheRose (geni.us/TheHarpandtheRose)
So, have a great week, take care of you and yours,
Le grá agus buiochas,
A novelist and a historian walk into a bar…
May 19, 2021