Workshops are an essential part of Listowel Writers’ Week

LISTOWEL has always been a place of pilgrimage for authors, playwrights and poets and writers’ week encourages this journey by providing a cross-section of insightful and helpful workshops. Maya Angelou once said there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you and for most of us wishing to transport our innermost thoughts to paper, we occasionally encounter Mr Doubt along the way!

Writing is a solitary process that requires dedication, influence and persistence. But guidance also helps a writer to navigate safely through the self-contained hours when self-belief hovers between continuing and quitting.

By enrolling in one of Listowel Writers’ Week workshops you won’t become Leo Tolstoy overnight, but you might just find things a little easier next time you sit before the quill and ink. It’s also a great way of networking with other writers which makes you realise you’re far from alone on your literary crusade.

The workshops at Listowel Writers’ Week are designed to reflect the changes, tendencies and trends that exist between writing and everyday life. For example, the recent renaissance in comedy writing is gathering huge momentum and The Comedy Writing Workshop is a must if you want to harness your comic skills.

This workshop is overseen by Helen Lederer, who appeared alongside Jennifer Saunders in the hit comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, and Ian McPherson - winner of the first ‘Time Out Comedy Award’ in London and described by The Guardian newspaper as one of the most creative and intelligent comedians around.

There’s also workshops in poetry, from beginner to advanced, writing a novel, writing for theatre, short fiction, memoir and nonfiction, creative writing, song writing and many more genres.

Visit www.writersweek.ie for more information and news of availability. Or give them a call on (00 353) 68 21074.

Michael Harding, playwright and Irish Times columnist will be in Listowel on Sunday.