Last August, I had the opportunity to teach at a writing retreat and tour in Ireland with Ireland Writer Tours. In addition to teaching writing courses, we visited many landmarks and historical sites, including the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór (sometimes written “Inishmore”). The trip to the island took about an hour by boat (at least, that’s what I’m told–I fell asleep almost the moment we left the dock and didn’t wake up until the boat arrived, much to the chagrin of the queasier members of the group). Here’s the view from the arrival dock: After leaving the boat, we stopped for lunch at
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In the Footsteps of Fursa
The day I arrived in Ireland to teach at the recent writers’ tour and retreat, my host (the fabulous Fiona Claire of Ireland Writer Tours) and I stopped off at Killursa Cemetery, which lies between Galway and Headford near the Western coast of Ireland. The cemetery remains in use today, though it dates to the seventh century–the time of Saint Fursa, whose name it bears. (Killursa is an Anglicized version of “Cill Fursa”–Fursa’s Church.) A statue of Fursa sits just inside the entrance, watching over the cemetery, church and surrounding countryside: The church exhibits some curious features common to churches of
Read moreWhat Good is a Writing Retreat? And What Should You Look For?
I blog a lot about conferences, and the benefits a good conference provides to writers. Writing retreats are like mini-conferences, and offer their own set of benefits. Here are some tips for getting the most from your writing retreat: 1. Make a list of your goals and priorities for the retreat before you pick one. That way, you can be sure the retreat you’ve selected meets your needs. 2. If you want a “guided retreat” with writing coaches or workshops, look for teachers whose style and experience interests you, and for classes tailored to the attendees’ needs. Some retreats offer general classes,
Read moreLooking for a Writing Retreat? Try IRELAND this summer!
The Road Less Traveled Tours is offering fantastic seven-day writing tours of Ireland this summer: Have you written a manuscript that you’d like to see published, but you know it needs the perspective of a professional editor? Maybe you’ve got a short story you know you could sell if only you could get some constructive feedback. Would you like a vacation amid castles and megalithic tombs, faerie forests and soothing blue lakes? Then come venture down The Road Less Traveled, and get the vacation of your dreams, along with individualized advice from a professional
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