Classes are starting again and I thought I’d post about how some of the workshop participants have progressed. Recent news from some of the People’s College workshop members – Elaine Gallagher received funding from the Irish Film Board for a short film she wrote ”An Rinceoir” which she directed in May 2011 and which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2011. Camillus John (pseudonym, but we know who you are!) has had his short story ‘Fed Up Freddy’ shortlisted for the RTE Guide/Penguin Ireland short story competiton 2011. We all enjoyed their stories in class and they were a pleasure to work with – taking critical feedback on board and giving others constructive comments.

Other news – Susan Condon from CDVEC classes has had her first story published in ‘Senior Times’. Susan once asked me where she could buy some ‘bum glue’ to help her sit down to write, so she must have managed to purchase some. Doreen from the same group was recently shortlisted for Fish Publishing One Page Prize. These are all real achievements.

Some strange statements from a prospective student at a recent open night: ‘I want to write, but I don’t write much, and I don’t like reading much’. That’s why it’s so heartening to hear news of group members who are who reading and practicing their writing. Of course there’s always room for beginners, but it’s so much more stimulating to work with beginners and others who have a genuine love of literature. More details about classes here.