Roisin Meaney's Blog, page 4

Hello everyone,

Well, I think we can safely say that spring has well and truly sprung in the northern hemisphere. Talk about a grand stretch in the evening – I’m rejoicing here at the myriad signs of spring all around. Every time I go for a walk I see everything busily budding, and I love it. Still chilly, still the occasional frosty morning, but a good share of blue overhead too, which always gives me a lift: I feel as if the sky is opening up and letting us all breathe more easily. And the birds in my neighbour’s garden – he has lots of trees – are in full voice every morning and evening. Nature’s choir, more tuneful than anything us mere mortals can produce.

On the writing front, I’m approaching the final furlong in the first draft of the new book. I LOVE when I can see the finish line – and even though I know there’s plenty of work still to come, it’s wonderful that the big slog of the first draft is drawing to a close. I reckon another week or ten days will do it, and after a further couple of weeks for the final read-through, I can tune out for a few precious weeks while my editor and agent cast beady eyes on it. I’m planning lots of walking, gardening and reading, and I can’t wait. I’ll be coming and going from Limerick to Clare – as summer draws closer I develop a real hankering to be on the coast, or near enough to walk to the sea, so the Miltown Malbay house will be dusted down and pressed back into service. I haven’t stayed there since December, so I’m really looking forward to being back.

Mam is doing well after her fall last month. Back walking the roads of Limerick – everyone on her route knows the little old woman with the stick – and she’s loving the longer days and budding gardens too. She’ll turn 95 in July, all going well. A hooley is planned! In the meantime, I’m looking forward to the always interesting Listowel Writers Week at the end of May, and a writing workshop later in the summer with the wonderful Niall Williams, in the hope that it’ll give my keyboard tapping a new sparkle! If you haven’t read Niall, I particularly recommend his latest novel, This Is Happiness. Pure reading pleasure.

Look after yourselves, enjoy the spring.

The post March 2023 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Happy February. I’m one of those who starts Spring on Feb 1, so as far as I’m concerned winter is a whole nine months away, and summer is only a hop, skip and a jump down the road. Happy days!

I’m writing like the billy-o as my deadline for first draft is March – help! Deadlines sure are a mixed blessing: without one I’m not sure I’d ever have written a word, but they can loom threateningly at times. Still, I’ve made every deadline to date, so I’m fairly confident that this one won’t defeat me.

On the home front, my poor old mother fell when out walking, a week or so ago. She’s a young 94 and loves her walk, so this was a big thing. She spent the rest of the day in her local A&E, where she got stitches to a cut on her temple, a CT scan (clear) and a cuppa, and it was midnight before I brought her home. A miracle she broke nothing. She’s on the mend now, the bruises are healing and the stitches are coming out tomorrow, and if I know her she’ll be back walking before long – and I’d say watching more carefully every step she takes. I just hope I’ve got her spirit and determination if I make it to 94. She’s some woman: we’ll have to have a big hooley for her birthday in July.

Not much else to report. Lovely to see the evenings stretching a bit, and the temperature inching up…..really hoping for a warm and gentle summer this year, with lots of long walks, and beach strolls and swims, and lazy evenings on the patio with cats and friends, and maybe a little glass of something to toast the sunset. I can dream!

Look after yourselves.

The post February 2023 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Wow, a whole new twelve months to play with. It’s always a bit of a leap into the unknown, isn’t it, starting a new year? I’d like to think I’ll do everything right this time round, cast off the old bad habits, never repeat past mistakes, eat healthier, increase my exercise etc etc, but I’ve lived long enough to know that most of that probably ain’t gonna happen this year or next, or ever! So I’ll continue to do what I always do, which is to try and live decently and kindly, and with patience. I will go at the walking and yoga with renewed enthusiasm (fell seriously by the wayside over the past few weeks), and I’ll cut out sweets and other rubbish for a while, but otherwise life will no doubt potter on as normal, business as usual – and that’s OK. I stopped beating myself up over my many flaws some time ago – I’d be very boring if I was perfect!

On the writing front, hopefully I’ll get the new book written over the next few months, and maybe make a start on another before too many more months go by, but I won’t be piling on the pressure. What happens will happen in its own time. As ever, thanks so much for all your support; it is hugely appreciated and never for a second taken for granted.

Hopefully all of you will have a good year too. I wish for you regular reasons to smile and laugh, and maybe a happy surprise or two along the way. And health. Above all, health, in body and mind.

And finally, in 2023 I wish and hope for peace, everywhere.

Look after yourselves.

The post January 2023 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Can you believe this year is already drawing to a close? Seems like last month I was making my resolutions (average lifespan six weeks) and hoping for happier times for the world in 2022 …… but it hasn’t exactly covered itself in glory, has it? Violent turbulence in so many parts, Ukraine joining the long list of persecuted countries, climate events reminding us that time is running out for this beautiful planet – and here at home rising prices causing hardship and anxiety, homelessness continuing to worsen, our health care system limping along, and more, and more …. and on a personal note, Dad leaving us in July.  At this stage I will gladly wave 2022 goodbye – I might even give it a small kick to send it on its way a little faster!

Well, I didn’t exactly cover myself in glory at the Irish Book Awards last week either – the honour in my category went to John Boyne, but I had a lovely night catching up with writers I only rarely see, not being one of the Dublin literati. And I got a chance to wear the gúna below, photo credit Ger Holland/Writing.ie. (it’s a little blurry because I’ve blown it up a bit). I’m with the really lovely Sheila O’Flanagan, so supportive of other writers and so funny and chatty too. Bought the dress in Miltown Malbay’s secondhand clothes shop, run by two local women – it’s like an Aladdin’s cave, full of clothes, bric a brac, books, shoes, bed linens, and more. I can never resist a look in when I’m passing. The dress cost me all of €20, first thing I ever bought with sequins on, imagine. I’ll donate it back next time I’m passing, can’t think I’ll get much more wear out of it – and if another posh event comes up, I’ll have a great excuse to go in again and find another bargain!

Not much else to report, apart from going back to do some revisions on the new story, wasn’t completely happy with the direction I’d taken, so I pulled out my plot and basically ripped up a lot of it, took out two characters I felt weren’t really needed and rewrote it without them. Such is the messy shape of a writing life! I’m much happier now, and hopefully on the right track. Fingers crossed, as ever.

Hope December treats you kindly. I always feel myself clenching as it approaches, bracing myself for the crowds and the stress of present hunting and the supermarket queuing, but I never manage to organise things earlier, so I must weather it! I do have a few social events lined up with pals, which will be lovely. Wishing everyone a calm and peaceful Christmas, however humble. Hope you find time to put the feet up and just chill, and recharge for the next crazy year.

Mind yourselves.

The post December 2022 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Happy Halloween! As I write this on October 31 I’m sitting by the fire waiting for any trick or treaters adventurous  enough to brave the damp and fairly dreary weather. Part of me is hoping not too many show up – I fancy leftover chocolate. Paddy and George are dozing on the couch beside me, Charlie is in her boudoir (aka my bedroom) having some me-time, and all is well.

My big news, of course, is that I have secured my first ever nomination in the Irish Book Awards, and I’m thrilled to bits: after twenty books, I finally feel seen! The category I find myself in is one that focuses on authors more than specific books: it’s the Library Association of Ireland’s Author of the Year category, and there are six of us in the running. I’m up against such heavy hitters as John Boyne and Sally Roooney, so I’m not counting any chickens at all, but I’ll put on a posh frock and head to the Convention Centre on awards night (November 23rd) and cross my fingers tightly (and abstain from wine) until the winner is announced. If anyone feels like giving me a vote (up to November 10th) here’s the link: https://www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/ Just scroll down to the voting form, fill in your details, and scroll down some more till you come to the categories. Mine is all the way down to the end, but you can vote once in every category by simply clicking on the book or author of your choice. Thanks in advance for any votes that come my way – and don’t forget to click ‘submit’ at the end! xx

Nothing much else happening, apart from ongoing writing of the next. Progress is slow but the word count is inching up. After a bit of worrying at the start, I find I’m actually enjoying this new slower pace, and there’s plenty of time as this one isn’t scheduled till Christmas 2023. It’s nice to be writing about characters who have already featured in previous books, like revisiting old pals you haven’t caught up with in a while. I’m kept busy forging connections between ones who’ve belonged to different stories  . . . little wonder progress is slow, plenty to figure out!

The post November 2022 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Well, the stove has been lit, and one of these nights I’ll have to swap the summer duvet for the winter one, so I’ve been forced to acknowledge that autumn is well and truly here. But summer was good while it lasted, we got our fair share of sunshine and beautiful sunsets, and I don’t mind the change really – I relish the cosiness of the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, with stove and soup and cuddly throws (and maybe the odd hot whiskey when I come in frozen from a walk). The gnarled old apple tree at the bottom of the garden is completely laden with apples, nearly ripe enough to pick. They’re eaters but not very sweet, so I generally use them in baking. I’ll have enough crumbles and tarts to see me through till next summer!

September was mainly quiet here; bit of walking, bit of writing, bit of trying to manage two little cats, and one bigger one who really wasn’t impressed when I brought home the new arrivals! Thankfully, she’s finally coming round – she’s probably accepted that they’re here to stay, and she might as well put up with them. The kittens are a delight, and of course I’m mad about Charlie, but it can be hard work trying to keep them all happy. The joys of being a crazy cat lady!

On the writing front, the new book is growing slowly. Not much I can tell you about it yet – it’s not scheduled for publication till Christmas 2023 – except that it will feature familiar faces from other books…….and now I should get back to it. Today is wet and windy outside, perfect writing weather so let’s hope I up the word count over the next few hours.

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Hello everyone,

September is one of my favourite months, not least because it’s my birthday month. When I was a young schoolgirl years ago I remember I used to hate that I often went back to school after the summer holidays on my birthday (the 3rd) – but obviously that has stopped being an issue for quite some time now! I also love the way the weather changes in September – this morning there was a delicious tang to the air when I put my nose outside the door before 9.00am, so refreshing after the summer warmth. The sun is still shining, so that’s a bonus – I’m not exactly wishing for wind and rain: the early morning crispness for now will do nicely.

In other news, with Fred gone (but never forgotten) I’ve got myself two new kittens. They’re brothers, and I’ve named them Paddy and George, and they’re utterly adorable. In the pic (they’ve just discovered the waste paper basket in the sitting room and it seems to fascinate them) Paddy is on the left and George on the right. George’s nose is a bit darker, and he’s also got one stripey leg so it’s easy enough to tell them apart. Another difference is that Paddy wails like a banshee when he wants food, and George’s mew is more subdued. Poor Charlie’s a bit put out since they moved in – she stays out of the house unless she wants feeding, and then she’ll keep as far from them as she can. I’m hoping she comes around soon.

Going back to writing on Monday. I figure I’ve had more than enough of a break and I need to get back to a routine, so I’ve cleared the decks, and after breakfast I’ll sit down and open the new draft and hope for the best. I’m still fine tuning the plot, not sure exactly what’s going to happen to everyone, but sometimes it helps to get a bit of the narrative down so I’ll go that route. Wish me luck!

The post September 2022 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Well, July 2022 has been a sad one, with two goodbyes in it. On the 16th, a day after my mother’s 94th birthday, poor old Fred the cat met his Waterloo on the road outside my holiday cottage, and I was there to witness it. Very upsetting and shocking, but at least he went quickly, and I have lots of happy memories to console me. Fred would have been seven in November, and I’d had him since he was a tiny kitty. He was my best boy. So now it’s me and Charlie, who’s a total delight, and I’m thinking I’ll have a look and find her a playmate in due course. Watch this space.

Then just yesterday, on the last day of July and in his 96th year, frail of mind and feeble of body, my dear old Dad left us gently and peacefully. My Mam was there, and one of my brothers, and it was such a consolation to her that he had such an easy death. It wasn’t unexpected, we’d seen this coming for quite a while, but of course it’s still a lonely time for us all. Dad worked hard to provide for us all, and as Mam had often put it, ‘you could depend your life on him’. I won’t put up a snap as I’m not sure Mam would appreciate it, so Fred will represent both departures.

Not much writing done in the past few weeks. I’ll get back to it when the time is right. Now is not the time.

Hope all of you are well and happy, and enjoying whatever holidays you have. I love that the days are still long, and summery weather is still coming and going. Best we can hope for in this neck of the woods!

The post August 2022 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

Well, here we are in July, not that you’d know it from the weather we’ve been getting recently; talk about four seasons in one day, with the emphasis on the chillier ones! It amazes me every year how surprised I get that summer isn’t more summery – you’d think I’d have learnt by now. I think it’s due to a combination of useless memory and excess of optimism! Hasn’t been all bad though – we’ve had a fair few pleasant days so far, and of course we have an abundance of daylight hours which is wonderful, so I’ll take whatever comes and be thankful for it.

Well, Life Before Us was published on June 11, as you all well know if you’ve been reading these updates. Pic below shows my local bookshop, O’Mahony’s, giving it plenty of window space! They’re brilliantly supportive. Notwithstanding the window display, I opted for less fanfare than usual for Life Before Us. For various reasons I didn’t have a launch, but I assembled a small few friends and neighbours around publication date and we raised a glass to the new arrival – and I’m delighted to report that it’s currently sitting at number eight in the Irish bestseller list. Thanks to all who helped to put it there; I’m really very grateful. I’ve taken a bit of a step back from writing for the last few weeks, just felt it was time to give the brain a break, and I think it was the right decision. I’m feeling like it’s nearly time to go back now though, so from Monday on (has to be a Monday, doesn’t it?) my kitchen should be filled with the tapping of laptop keys (hopefully!) as the next offering begins to take shape. Not due out till Christmas 23, so plenty of time to get it right.

In other news, I got the all clear from Galway hospital after the melanoma drama, which was a big relief. No sign of spread, all gone. I’ll be going back every six months for the next five years, just for monitoring and making sure nothing shows up again. I’m lashing on the factor 50 these days – no ray of sun, or even ray of light, will dare penetrate!

Hope everyone’s well. Hope summer, whatever the weather, (or winter if you’re down under) is bringing its share of laughter and good times. Lots of fresh air is my prescription. Waterproofs and sunglasses at the ready!

The post July 2022 appeared first on Roisin Meaney.

Hello everyone,

June – or as I like to call it, publication month! The 9th is just around the corner, and I can’t wait to see Life Before Us as a real live book finally. It feels like forever since it was out of my hands – it’s really only a couple of months – and I’m impatiently awaiting delivery of my box of author copies….any day now, she said hopefully. I’ve opted not to have an official launch for this one, although my local bookshop, O’Mahony’s in Limerick, would be more than happy to host it. I felt a bit launch-weary, to be honest – and at this stage, I feel I’ve dragged everyone along to more than enough nights out! I am going to head up to Dublin on the 9th though – the plan is for me to visit the city centre bookshops for some signing in the morning, followed by lunch with a few from the publishers, which will be lovely – and then two nights later I’ve invited a small gang to the patio in Miltown Malbay (well, the patio if the weather obliges, indoors if it doesn’t) – for a glass or three of bubbly and a bite to eat, and I’ll feel I’ve given enough welcome to the newcomer. Number twenty; every time that thought hits me I feel like giggling in disbelief. Little did I think, when I took a year off teaching to try my hand at writing a novel, that I’d still be at it so many years later. I’m a lucky gal, with some wonderful readers on my side. Thank you all, I don’t take you for granted for a second.

In other news, I had a melanoma removed from my right arm in Feb, and just over a week ago I had some follow-up surgery as a matter of course, mainly to make it harder for it to recur, and also to check whether there’s been any spread. I’m very confident of a good outcome – results in a couple of weeks – because it was caught really early. Let that be a lesson to everyone – don’t ignore anything you think looks new, or odd, or changed. And slap on that sunscreen, or cover up – as I type this I’m sitting under an umbrella on the patio (see pic, featuring my trusty assistants) during one of the nicest days of the year so far, and I’m also wearing factor 50 on face and neck, and 30 elsewhere. I wasn’t always this careful – nothing like a little scare to remind you that the sun, lovely as she is, can do untold damage if given half a chance.

I hope you’re all well and happy, wherever you are. I hope you enjoy Life Before Us if you pick up a copy. I hope I can nail the next plot before too long more!!!

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