This workshop will provide an introductory guide to fiction writing. Nuala Ní Chonchúir will help writers understand the importance of the main elements of fiction; from title, beginnings, language, story, character and dialogue to endings. The class will look at early decisions in fiction writing: the importance of a strong title and a strong opening, point of view, tense and structure. Apt language use, story/plot and the creation of believable dialogue will be explored. Character will be examined under the following headings: motivation, conflict, profiles and naming. Using quotes, exercises and examples, this workshop will show participants how to be mindful in their fiction writing, from start to finish. This class is suitable for the first-time or seasoned writer alike. Participants will receive hand-outs and will write in class.

Nuala Ní Chonchúir was born in Dublin in 1970; she lives in East Galway. Her critically acclaimed first novel YOU was published in 2010 by New Island. The same publisher brought out her fourth short story collection Mother America in 2012. A chapbook of flash Of Dublin and Other Fictions was published in the US in late 2013 by Tower Press and Nuala’s second novel The Closet of Savage Mementos appeared in April 2014 from New Island. Penguin USA and Penguin Canada will publish Nuala’s third novel, Miss Emily, about the poet Emily Dickinson and her Irish maid, in 2015. www.nualanichonchuir.com