A guest post by Helen Lahert.
“Whether you want to put your first word on paper, or bring your writing to the next level, I would recommend Lara O’Brien’s writing workshops. Lara provides a structured approach to exploring your past with prompts that set your pen buzzing and flood memories onto your pages and because she provides a safe place where fellow writers are encouraging, respectful and supportive, nothing you write is too personal or too outrageous.
The venues whether it’s the Secret Garden on Howth’s East Mountain, her own living room, or the beauty of the island of Martha’s Vineyard there is always lively craic and sometimes tears. If you want to branch out and start your novel, memoir (or if you get sick of writing about yourself like I did,) well there is motivation and constructive criticism from Lara and your fellow writers. So go for it. You have nothing to lose except your fear.”
Helen Lahert
I started writing in retirement, with two novels completed before venturing into the crime genre. I have had some success with short stories, two short-listed but not quite making the cut for the Irish Times (Hennessy), one coming third in the Colm Toibín International Short Story competition at the Wexford Literary Festival and one winning the Doolin Writers’ Festival. Now, as part of Lara’s writing workshops, I’ve discovered that writing memoir is healing and crime writing is damn fun. I have completed my first crime novel, which I aim to get published this year.
