Claire Hennessy
Writer and creative writing teacher.
Author of nine books for young adults. The most recent, EVERY SUMMER, was published in summer 2009. All published by Poolbeg Press. My first three books are also available in GIRLS ON THE VERGE: THE CLAIRE HENNESSY COLLECTION (published 2005). Recent short fiction includes 'Blue', published online in WORDLEGS issue 3 (autumn 2010).
Since the publication of my first book, DEAR DIARY... (2000), I've given talks, readings, and workshops in schools and libraries all around Ireland. I've also spoken at conferences on topics such as writing for children, teenagers' reading habits and creative writing in gifted education. Beyond the once-offs, I've also taught and designed courses for the Irish Writers' Centre (The Novel and Novel 2), Alexandra College (creative writing workshops for Transition Years), Inkwell Writers Workshops (Inkwell4Kids), and East Wall Youth (Creative Writing). I teach regularly for CTYI (the Irish Centre for Talented Youth) at DCU (Novel Writing, Imaginative Writing, etc).
I offer mentoring and do some other 'bits and pieces' relating to writing.
I have a first-class honours degree in History and English Literature from Trinity College Dublin, and contrary to the photographic evidence, I don't often teach teddy bears, though they are rather good listeners.
Two projects I'm delighted to be involved with:
SONG AND WRITING workshops, co-facilitated with Dara Black. Creative arts workshops for kids and teens in the Dublin area which include creative writing, songwriting, music, drama, performance and more. We offer a summer programme which has been thoroughly enjoyed by all participants so far, as well as offering tailored workshops for groups and organisations during the school year. http://www.songandwriting.com/
The BIG SMOKE WRITING FACTORY, 7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Creative writing workshops, classes and resources... because there's no fire without smoke!
We offer creative writing workshops, mostly for adults, in a wide range of fields: the autumn 2010 term will include specialist workshops in Novel Writing, Fiction, Poetry, Memoir, Screenwriting, Children's & Young Adult Fiction, and Drama & Creative Writing. We've also held workshops in Stand-Up Comedy, Speculative Fiction, Writing Chick-Lit, etc, and regularly provide Beginning To Write classes for those just starting off.
http://www.bigsmokewritingfactory.com/
One-to-one lessons
Group Classes
Beginning To Write
This introduction to creative writing explores a range of topics, from character and plot development to voice and style. Through writing exercises and examples from literature, participants will develop an awareness of various poetic and literary tools and techniques, and become more comfortable putting pen to paper to express themselves creatively. This class provides space for the beginning writer to share their work in a supportive workshop environment, and is suitable for writers working in all forms (poetry, drama, fiction, etc.).
Booking and more information is available from http://www.bigsmokewritingfactory.com/
My colleagues at Big Smoke also offer Beginning To Write courses on Monday evenings, Wednesday evenings, Tuesday mornings, and Thursday mornings.
It's a:
class
Venue:
Big Smoke Writing Factory
Location:
7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Date and time:
THURSDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting September 30, 2010. (10 weeks)
Rates:
240 euro (10 week course) Song and Writing summer 2011 workshop!
SONG AND WRITING workshops are an ideal way of getting in touch with your creativity and building confidence - as well as having fun! For ages 8-17.
Creative workshop for kids/teens over the summer. Song writing, creative writing, drama, music and performance are incorporated into workshops which might include: writing a jingle, inventing a new kind of vampire, outlining a novel, creating a story for a movie, writing the hit song that goes with that movie. . . and all other kinds of activities! All levels of writing and musical experience are catered for. The most important thing is that participants are willing to try new things and enjoy themselves!
Age guidelines:
TEEN (13-17)
KIDS (8-12)
http://www.songandwriting.com/
It's a:
workshop
Venue:
Ballinteer Community School
Location:
Ballinteer, Dublin 16, Ireland
Date and time:
Summer 2011. Dates TBC.
Rates:
TBC. Family discount available Novel In Progress
Workshop for those who are in the middle of, or finishing, or revising novels or novel-length projects. For those who don't want or need a 'beginning to write a novel' class but value the workshop environment and some guidance where appropriate. Information about publishing is also provided. Returning students to Novel In Progress as well as newcomers are welcome!
Registration is available online at http://www.bigsmokewritingfactory.com/
(We also have a Fiction Workshop with Colm Liddy running on Wednesday evenings, which will cover both short stories and novels.)
It's a:
workshop
Venue:
Big Smoke Writing Factory
Location:
7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Date and time:
Mondays, 6.30pm-8.30pm. 10 weeks, starting September 20th.
Rates:
€200 Angst & Adventure (workshop in children's and young adult fiction)
This workshop is designed for anyone, beginner or experienced writer, interested in writing for older children (10+), or the teenage/young adult audience. Whether you're just getting started or getting ready to submit to agents, the workshop will help you with your project, with plenty of opportunity to get feedback on your work, suggestions for writing exercises, and other resources.
More info and registration available at http://www.bigsmokewritingfactory.com
It's a:
workshop
Venue:
Big Smoke Writing Factory
Location:
7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Date and time:
TUESDAY, 7pm-9pm, starting September 21, 2010.
Rates:
€280 (12 weeks) Starting A Novel
Ever wanted to write a novel but just couldn't find the time, didn't know where to start, or how to go about it? Suitable for beginners as well as those with writing experience, STARTING A NOVEL guides participants through the basics of writing fiction with an emphasis on the novel form, and also looks at practical concerns like motivation.
If you've a novel in progress you might want to look into the Novel In Progress workshop on Monday evenings instead!
Registration online will be available at http://www.bigsmokewritingfactory.com/ - please contact bigsmokewritingfactory@gmail.com if interested in signing up for Starting A Novel in January 2011.
It's a:
class
Venue:
Big Smoke Writing Factory
Location:
7 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
Date and time:
STARTING: January 2011.
Rates:
€250 (10-week specialist class) Experience
Irish Writers' Centre
I taught at the Irish Writers' Centre, Dublin between 2006 and 2009. My classes concentrated on Novel Writing, with both a general Novel class (for those starting a book) and a more intensive workshop format for the Novel 2 class (for those who had novels in progress). I also taught an Intermediate Creative Writing class for the centre which concentrated on a broader range of writing forms.
Dates:
Sep 2006 - Jan 2009 CTYI
Since 2005, I've worked at the Irish Centre for Talented Youth (CTYI) based at Dublin City University. I've designed and taught classes for gifted 8-16-year-olds like Script Writing, Writing Stories, Imaginative Writing and Novel Writing. I've also worked on writing-related correspondence courses as both tutor and course designer. I spoke at the first CTYI conference in 2008 as well as at their Literary Day that same year.
Dates:
Jun 2005 - Dec 2010 writer and speaker
Author of nine novels for the teenage/young adult audience, all published by Poolbeg Press. Has given talks (on writing, publishing, and related issues), readings, and workshops in schools and libraries all around the country over the past decade.
Dates:
Jan 2000 - Dec 2010 Educational history
BA (History and English)
Dates:
October, 2005 - May, 2009
Institution:
Trinity College Dublin
Gold Medallist; Scholar.
Teaching
Services
Offering: group classes, workshops, intensive courses and mentoring.
Aimed at: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.
Ages: 8 +
Online teaching offered
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