FOCUS ON: Irish Chapter

What a delight to welcome the newly formed Irish Chapter to the series. Ruth Long was kind enough to answer our questions.

How long has your chapter been running?

Our first ever meeting was on 9^th April 2016. We met in the Mint Bar, downstairs in the Westin Hotel on Westmoreland Street, Dublin.

How often do you plan to meet?

We hope to meet quarterly. This is going to be fairly flexible however as we have members from all over the island and would like to accommodate as many as possible.

Where is your regular meeting place?

For the same reason, we hope to meet in different locations. Rather than make the same people travel the longest distances all the time, we’d like to mix things up a bit. Also there is the fun of visiting different places to see friends.

How many members attend your meetings?

There were 9 of us at the first meeting, but we now have 23 members on our Facebook group. It’s growing all the time as RNA members and friends join. We’re all writers, all at different stages and it’s a great way to offer support to each other. Hopefully there will be more of us at the next meeting.

Do your meetings include a meal?

Yes. We love food. It could be finger food, afternoon tea or a sit down lunch, whatever the individual organisers feel like organising. Variety is the spice of life.

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?

It is. We welcome everyone writing romance or strong romantic elements. Basically lots and lots of writers. I think the idea is to have a support network and people to rely on. We have new writers and old hands sitting down together and exchanging ideas.

How long are your meetings?

We are very laid back so maybe a couple of hours of chat and food. Perhaps the odd drink. The main idea is to provide a space for writers to interact and share, to support each other and have a good time. It can be such a solitary life, so having a group is invaluable.

Can you give an outline of speakers/guests you’ve had in the past year?

None as yet, but once we hit our stride I’m sure we’ll start to arrange more.

What do you have planned for the rest of 2016?

We’re just about to start planning our June meeting. It would have been July but the date clashes with the RNA Conference so we moved it back a month. Then hopefully we’ll have another in September. We also have members having book launches (Hazel Gaynor in June, and myself in September, so naturally all members are invited to those as well).

What would you say makes your chapter of the RNA so special?

Very friendly and open, still finding our way so we’re hoping for lots of involvement from members with an aim to getting the type of group we want to be part of. There is of course the Irish gift for get-togethers to take into account as well. We are known for our welcomes, all one hundred thousand of them. We’re really looking forward to moving about the island a bit for different meetings and seeing different places as well. We could even work in some research trips along the way. I think ever writer has an adventurer inside them.

Does your chapter have a website, Facebook page or Twitter account?

We have a Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/169428223430539/

Who is the contact for new members?

Ruth Frances Long, info@rflong.com, or the Facebook group.

Thank you, Ruth. Your enthusiasm is inspiring. We wish this new group in our family of chapters every success for the future.

This post was compiled by Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Cathy Mansell - In Dublin's Fair City

It’s a joy to welcome Cathy Mansell back to the blog to tell us about her recent book launch:

Cathy
with
Sharon Black on her right and Mary Bradford

Since my last visit in January 2015, good things have been happening. Galway Girl and Where the Shamrocks Grow have come out in paperback with Tirgearr Publishing and Magna large print. All four books out in audio by the end of 2015. Tirgearr has contracted my fifth book, Dublin's Fair City, and Magna have said they want that too. I couldn't be happier.

My recent book launch in Dublin to promote the Cathy Mansell Brand and my most recently published book, Where the Shamrock's Grow, was a great success but not without a few eye-openers along the way. The event took place in the lecture room of Blanchardstown Library.

Hard work went into arranging the venue. It took weeks to have the details confirmed. This particular library, I can't speak for other Irish libraries, don't do commercial. However, everyone I spoke to at the library was courteous and helpful. Yet it took many emails/phone calls before it was finally agreed by the powers that be that I could do a talk and sell my books at the same time.

Deciding to launch in another country is expensive, not to mention time-consuming where advertising the event is concerned. I approached websites, sent out flyers to libraries, newspapers and to people who were kind enough to advertise the event for me. Because the event took place in Ireland, I didn't have the opportunity of speaking with the organizers face to face, so, had to rely on things being ok when I got there.

Each book launch I've done has been a learning curve. For example; last year my Dublin book launch took place at my nephew’s. Over forty people turned up. It was a typical Irish get-together with family and friends, where I met my publisher for the first time. It was a great experience, and I sold lots of books. 

It never occurred to me that Irish library policies would be different to those of the UK. For instance; you can do a talk but are not allowed to sell books. No drinks or nibbles allowed. It would have been nice to have offered refreshments, as one lady travelled fifty miles from Cork.

I also discovered that, no matter how well prepared you are, you always need a plan 'B'.  My original plan to cover a two hour event gave sufficient time to each speaker with enough time at the end to sell books. As it happened, my publisher, Tirgearr, was unable to attend. I had advance warning that this might happen and totally understood the situation. I still had my guest speaker as a backup. However, I was totally thrown when he didn't show. Due to heavy Saturday traffic, people arrived late, and the event started half an hour later than planned. Still my guest hadn't arrived. I found myself in the position of having to improvise by lengthening my talk. I spoke about the inspiration behind each book. With the extra time, it enabled me to read a teaser from my newly contracted book Dublin's Fair City.

My husband had prepared a fun quiz on an excerpt I read from Where the Shamrock's Grow. It went down a treat. People were laughing and appeared to be having fun. The winner received a copy of the book. My granddaughter handed out a ticket to each person as they arrived for a free draw later.

The warmth and friendliness of the twenty-five people who turned up to support me was wonderful. I sold twenty-three books. It was certainly worth doing and in spite of the set-backs I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

Thank you for having me on the RNA Blog today.

About Cathy:

Cathy Mansell is an experienced writer of romantic fiction. Her early work was stories and articles published in national magazines. She edited an anthology of works funded by Arts Council England and appeared on the TV show Food Glorious Food 2012. Nowadays, she writes novels set in 19s Ireland, depicting the lifestyle and hardships of families in those days. Some of her characters become wound up in intricate criminal plots. She lives in rural Leicestershire with her husband, where she writes daily in her ‘Loft Study’

Links:

Amazon:

Website:  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/cathymansell4

Twitter:

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience, Cathy. Thank you for sharing.

The RNA blog is brought to you by 

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the RNA blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Chatting with Cathy Mansell

Today we are delighted to welcome Cathy Mansell to the blog

Thank you Natalie and Elaine for having me as your guest today. It's a pleasure to be on the RNA blog again.

In 2013, when Shadow Across the Liffey became a contender for the Joan Hessayan award, I had no inkling of what was to come. You know that old saying; you wait ages for a bus and then three come along at the same time. That's the best way to describe what happened next. Two more books followed in quick concession. Her Father's Daughter in June 2013, and Shadow Across the Liffey came out in paperback. Galway Girl was released in May of this year, followed by paperback of Her Father's Daughter. Where the Shamrocks Grow, my recent novel, was released as an eBook this month. All published with Tirgearr Publishing who have mentioned doing paperbacks of Galway Girl, and Where the Shamrocks Grow, next year. If that wasn't enough excitement, Magna have taken all four books for library large print and audio. Audio is scheduled for 2015. This is a dream come true for me, and to say I feel fortunate, is putting it mildly. These four books went through the new writers' scheme where the feedback was invaluable. 

In a past life I edited an anthology of works funded by Arts Council England. I also appeared on the TV show Food Glorious Food in 2012. Nowadays, I write novels set in 19th century Ireland, depicting the lifestyle and hardships of families in those days, together with the emotions of her characters when they become wound up in intricate criminal plots. 

We asked Cathy a few questions: 

You began your writing career with short stories and articles. What made you decide to move to novel writing?

While writing articles for Woman's Way, Woman's Own and Yours etc., I embarked on writing my life story. Just for my family. It turned out to be 90,000 words. It was then that I realised I wanted to write novels and joined the RNA NWS in 2002. I still write the odd article and short story, but mainly stick to writing novels.

How much did your upbringing in Ireland help in the setting of your novels?

It helped enormously. Having lived my childhood and teenage years in Dublin, Ireland during the 1950s/60s, it gave me plenty of ideas. I write my stories around things and events of the rimes I remember, without having to do too much research.

Your latest novel, ‘Where the Shamrock Grows’, has recently been released. Is there another in the planning stage?

Oh, yes. I'm writing another romantic suspense set in the 60s Dublin. I'm half way through writing it, and have given myself a deadline to finish it by February 2015.         

How good are you at planning your work? Do you prefer to ‘wing it’?

I'm not that clever. I would never get away with "winging it!'  I'm a planner. The story is usually in my head long before I start to write it. I need to know where I'm going and work out a chapter chart and then I follow it like a map. It works for me.

Following that, how do you fit your writing round your family life?

That can be hard at times, especially with grandchildren. I have quite a few, so birthdays and Christmas can be expensive. My eldest granddaughter lives in Perth, Australia, and my son and his family live in New Zealand. Even so, I still have enough grandchildren here to keep me busy. My husband is amazing and gives me space to write. As a writer who loves writing stories, I will always find time to do what I love. Life is too short not to.

Finally, what aspect of your writing do you most enjoy?

All of it, but I have to admit there is a certain amount of satisfaction in editing the finished manuscript. I enjoy researching especially when it takes me over the sea to Ireland. One of my favourite places in the world.

‘Where the Shamrocks Grow’ is set against the backdrop of the Irish Civil War, Jo Kingsley is transported from her turbulent childhood to the sophisticated life at the beautiful Chateau Colbert. She meets Jean-Pierre, grandson of her employer Madame Colbert, and discovers the desire of men.

Destiny takes Jo to America where she experiences more than dreams of becoming a music teacher.

Amazon UK: Where the shamrocks grow

Amazon UK: Cathy’s Books on Amazon:

Contact: 
Facebook:    www.facebook.com/cathymansell4

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/cathymansell3

Linkedin:     http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/cathy-mansell/46/b50/550/

Website:     www.cathymansell.com

Thank you for joining us today, Cathy

This blog is brought to you by Elaine Everest and Natalie Kleinman. If you would like to write about the craft of writing or perhaps be interviewed about your writing life please contact us at elaineeverest@aol.com

Why Write Young Adult?

Sixteen in my head, or Why I write YA?

Today Ruth Frances Long answers the question for us

Some years ago (not so many that I can excuse it all as a hazy memory, alas) my then-new boss asked my age. Obviously he shouldn’t have but the long pause that followed wasn’t from my shock at being asked this question. It was due to my actually having to stop, think and work out what age I was. Unfortunately for me, he realised what I was doing. “Don’t you know what age you are?” he asked in surprise. The answer to which, I blurted out without pause. “I’m sixteen in my head!” Because I am. I have been since I was sixteen in reality too.

I think everyone has an age they “are” in their head.  Most of my friends give an answer somewhere in the mid to late twenties, some in their thirties. One friend finds this idea seriously entertaining and has researched it thoroughly at this stage by asking just about everyone she meets what age they are in their head. She says she’s never met a man who will admit to being over twenty five (in his head). Draw your own conclusions on that! But me, I’m sixteen. The eternal teenager. 

On the outside I’m a (sometime) responsible adult, with a job and a family, a mortgage, a car etc. Inside however...

I think this is why I love to write for young adults. There’s something so interesting about that time of life. You’re always learning (even though you outwardly know everything already). You’re always looking forward to things. You’re the eternal optimist. Everything is about hope and growth.

When writing for adults there’s a certain expectation of seriousness, reality, of the grim consequences of time, its effect on life. Teens in adult books are often engaged in coming of age stories, the loss of innocence, the casting aside of childish things. Every theme connected with them seems to be about loss. If not, they are a flippant, annoying caricature, designed to display inexperience and silliness.

In YA fiction, it’s the opposite. Themes cover the discovery of self, of autonomy, becoming your own person, responsible for your own actions, making your own choices. Teens acquire knowledge and experience. They learn and grown in a way that often their adult counterparts don’t. It’s a vital part of their makeup.  A teen character is a changeable, evolving wonder, especially for the writer who is learning along with them.

As adults we desire to protect and nurture our children. But the teenager is all about breaking free of such constraints. They are “young adults” for a reason, the second word being the key one. They aren’t children anymore and it’s time for their independence to begin. Much is written about dark themes in teen books, about drink and drugs and sex, about death, illness and suicide, and whether books should deal with these things. Often writers are accused of glorifying or exploiting such themes.

But where better for the young teen to learn about them than safely between the pages of a book? Where better to have those adventures, to enter those conflicts, to feel that maelstrom of emotions, than a place where simply by putting it down and walking away, it can all stop in an instant. They might only do that for a moment, they might never pick that book up again—but, and this is key, it’s their decision. It is often a lot more difficult to have such control over events in the real world.

Writing for the young adult audience and reading books for the YA market is a rollercoaster. It’s an adventure. And it’s a joyous discovery.

 ---

 Ruth Frances Long writes young adult fantasy such as The Treachery of Beautiful Things (Dial, 2012) and the forthcoming A Crack in Everything (O'Brien Press, September 2014), the first in a trilogy set in the world of demons, angels and fairies that exists alongside our own in modern day Dublin. As R. F. Long she writes fantasy & paranormal romance such as The Scroll Thief (Samhain, 2009) and The Mirror of her Power (Taliesin, 2014). She lives in Ireland and works in a library of rare, unusual & occasionally crazy books.

Twitter: @RFLong 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuthFrancesLong  
Tumblr: RFLong 

Website: www.rflong.com

A Crack in Everything by Ruth Frances Long

(O’Brien Press, 1^st September 2014, ISBN: 9781847176356, available to pre-order now)

She was a mistake. A crack in the order of the world …
When Izzy Gregory takes a wrong turn down a Dublin alley she stumbles into a shadowy, frightening world where magical beings, angels and demons hold sway. In this place where everything is strange, Izzy finds herself surrounded by danger, chased and threatened. Her only chance of survival lies with Jinx, who’s been sent to capture her. Jinx has known nothing but duty and cruelty from his own kind; Izzy is something altogether new to him – and to his world …
Falling in love was never in the plan, but it might be the one thing that can save them.

Waterstones, 
Amazon Uk, 
Book Depository

Thank you, Ruth. A child, or at least a young adult, at heart like the rest of us.

This blog is brought to you by Elaine Everest and Natalie Kleinman. If you have attended a literary event or have something you'd like to share with members of the RNA please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com.