Tag: Frank McCourt

Authors with Irish Roots to Add to Your Reading List

~ The Regal Writer ~ 1 Comment
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No doubt you’ve heard of Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and Jonathan Swift. Besides being well-known for their published work, they share something else in common: they were all born in Ireland.

There are many other talented authors, screenwriters and playwrights who have produced notable works from Maeve  Binchy to Roddy Doyle. Most were born in Ireland, while others were born elsewhere but make their homes there now.

With St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, it seems fitting to profile a few of these Irish authors, both past and present, who have given us a glimpse of life and love on the Emerald Isle.

Admittedly, I’ve only read a few of these authors, while others I’m willing to explore. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re a fan of the classics or prefer more contemporary themes. While they represent a wide variety of genres and writing styles, they bring wit and intelligence to their work and provide an insider’s view of Ireland.

Authors I’ve read:

* Frank McCourt. Though born in Brooklyn, N.Y., McCourt and his family moved to Ireland when he was four years old to the town of Limerick where his mother grew up. He recounts his childhood in Angela’s Ashes. Unable to find work in Ireland, his father became an alcoholic, forcing the family to live in poverty. In his father’s long absences, McCourt, the oldest of four siblings, took it upon himself to look after the family, often stealing food and taking on odd jobs to survive. It’s a sad and compelling story that won McCourt a Pulitzer Prize.

* Maeve Binchy. I remember reading Binchy’s first novel, Light a Penny Candle, many years ago. I barely remember it now, but It was my introduction to women’s fiction. Binchy went on to publish 16 novels and numerous short stories, many set in Ireland. She’s known for writing about Irish life after World War II, often with themes dealing with the conflict and tension between urban and rural life.

* Lucy Foley. Okay, I know Foley wasn’t born in Ireland, but her book The Guest List makes my list because of its setting on a secluded island off the coast of Ireland. Written from the points of view of five different characters, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey that unfolds between two timelines—the night of the murder of one of its characters, and the few days leading up to that moment. One of the best page turners I’ve read in long time.

Authors on my reading list:

* Tana French. Though born in Vermont, French now makes her home in Dublin, and she has become known as a leading lady of psychological thrillers in the same vein as Ruth Ware and Megan Abbott. Her first novel In the Woods, is probably the best known and is the first in the Dublin Murder Squad series which contains six books, all taking place in Dublin. She’s also published several standalone novels of psychological suspense.

* Marian Keyes. Born in Limerick, Keyes writes contemporary fiction that tackles some darker issues like alcoholism, depression, cancer, grief and domestic violence. According to her profile on Wikipedia, her stories are often written with a light, humorous tone and feature strong female characters who overcome challenges to find lasting happiness and hopeful futures. Her first novel, Watermelon, was published in 1995.

* Emma Donoghue. Born in Dublin and now living in Canada, Donoghue has made a name for herself writing historical fiction featuring lesbian characters. Her best-known work, Room, became a feature film. Donoghue wrote the screenplay for that film and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Her latest novel, Learned by Heart, explores the relationship between diarist Anne Lister and Eliza, an orphaned Indian heiress during their time at a boarding school in 1805.

* Cecelia Ahern. Since 2004, Ahern has published 18 novels of contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, P.S. I Love You, was published when she was 21 and was later adapted to film starring Hilary Swank. Her stories feature characters at transitional points in their lives, dealing with loss or who feel lost and powerless themselves.

* Tricia O’Malley. I enjoy a little magic with my romance, so O’Malley’s work appeals to me, though I have yet to read any of her novels. She has published several series: the Althea Rose Mysteries, romance with a touch of mystery; Siren Island, feel-good romances with a touch of fantasy; Mystic Cove series, combining magic and romance with Ireland as its backdrop; and The Enchanted Highlands, set in Scotland.

Other notable Irish-born authors, not on my reading list, but other readers might enjoy:
Roddy Doyle – novelist, children’s author, playwright, and screenwriter. His novel, The Commitments, was turned into a film of the same name in 1991.
Sally Rooney – The only millennial writer on this list, she’s just getting started with three award-winning books published so far: Conversations with Friends, Normal People, and Beautiful World, Where Are You?
Frank Delaney – writer of historical fiction set in selected areas of Ireland.
Edna O’Brien – novels often take a bleak view of the despair and plight of women in contemporary society

Of course, we cannot forget the classics:
Oscar Wilde –The Picture of Dorian Gray
Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels
James Joyce – Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man
Bram Stoker – Dracula

Do you have a favorite Irish-born author or book about Ireland? What did you enjoy most about it? What other authors would you recommend?

Start a Writing Practice — No Matter What Age You Are

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If you ever thought you were too old to begin writing, whether for business or pleasure, guess again. Consider these late-blooming authors:

* Laura Ingalls Wilder began writing when she was in her 40s. Her first book Little House in the Big Woods was published nearly 20 years later.

* Harriet Doerr was 74 when her first novel, Stones of Ibarra, was published.

* Frank McCourt was 66 years old when his memoir, Angela’s Ashes, was published.

* English author Daniel Defoe was almost 60 when he finished writing Robinson Crusoe.

* Nora Neale Hurston, author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, didn’t begin writing until she was in her 40s.

There are numerous other authors who did not get published or begin writing until they were in their 40s or older – proof that you don’t have to be a young spring chicken to write. (Here’s another great list of women writers who were late bloomers.)

In fact, it may be more advantageous to start a writing practice later in life rather than earlier.  For one, you have the benefit of life experience. By the time you reach your forties and fifties, you’ve acquired plenty of life experience – new jobs and losses, moving to a new city perhaps, starting a family, starting a business, health crises, etc. You’re able to look back at your experiences to learn from life’s lessons. All you really need to write is the desire and a willingness to commit to it.

As I get older (and hopefully wiser), I’ve come to the conclusion that our lives are divided into two halves. The first half is all about acquiring knowledge, skills and experience. We’re students of life. During the second half of our lives – after age 45 or 50 or so – we look for opportunities to share what we’ve learned with others. We become teachers.

So it makes sense that many older adults rediscover writing as a way to express themselves while sharing their lifetime of knowledge and skills. Writing is the path to teach others about what they’ve learned on their life’s journey.

Writing also challenges you mentally, and at times, emotionally. It keeps your brain active which is important to ward off dementia. By writing, you become more aware of people and events around you too. You notice things more – like the bright colors of flowers, the sharp sweet smell of coffee in the morning, the way someone speaks. You pay more attention to these details because your writing thrives on these types of details.

If you are over age 50 and you’re new to writing, here are a few tips for starting a writing practice. Of course, many of these tips are appropriate no matter what age you are. But I think they are particularly helpful for older writers.

* Be open to learning new things. Attending workshops and classes can help you develop new skills and gain an understanding of the writing process. You’ll meet other people just like you who are starting their writing journey. You’ll have a lot to talk about with them – and a lot to write about afterwards.

* Don’t overlook your life experience. You bring a lot to the table by virtue of your life experience. When it comes to writing, age is an advantage, not a flaw. Write about those experiences that made a difference in your life. Share your life story with others so they can learn from you. Your personal experience is valuable, giving your writing added depth and perspective.

* Start small and work your way into bigger projects. Especially if you’re just starting a writing habit, begin by writing shorter pieces. Even writing in your journal counts. Aim for 100 or 200 words to start, then as you get into a rhythm, you can extend yourself to 500 words or more (if your schedule allows).

You may find that starting with shorter pieces is easier because once you complete them, you feel a greater sense of accomplishment. This approach serves two purposes: it allows you to  test out story concepts in shorter formats to see if they’re viable, and it helps you refine your writing technique for specific genres. Don’t be afraid to start small.

* Pay attention to the world around you. When you begin a writing practice, you may notice events and people around you more keenly. You may pay more attention to little details – the way a woman’s dress moves when she walks down the street, the smell of onions and garlic as you pass an Italian restaurant, or the cheerful chirping of birds outside your window at five in the morning. Writing gives you a renewed appreciation for life, one you appreciate even more as you get older.

* Make an appointment with yourself to write. Put the appointment in your calendar. If you’re good about keeping appointments, you’ll likely be as vigilant about keeping up with your writing practice.  

* Create a body of work you can be proud of. Regardless if you get published or not, keep writing to complete as many essays, stories and blog posts as you can. You’ll develop a body of work to leave as your legacy. More important, your body of work is evidence that you are never too old to start a writing practice.

The best part about starting a writing practice is that you can write well into your 70s, 80s or 90s. No matter what age you are, you can enjoy a writing life for years to come.