Creative Writing Workshops with Writer-in-Residence Rob Doyle

Maynooth University Writer-in-Residence Rob Doyle
Wednesday, September 27, 2017 - 13:45

Maynooth University Writer-in-Residence Rob Doyle (https://robdoyle.net) will run a series of free (non-credit) workshops to students. This is an opportunity to work with one of Ireland’s leading up-and-coming writers in an informal setting.
 
Wednesdays 3-5pm, An Foras Feasa seminar room, Iontas Building
Start date: Wed. 11 Oct
End date: Wed. 29 November
 
Over the course of the sessions, we will explore an array of styles of creative writing, and explore some of the most exciting developments in contemporary literature. Reading and discussing of samples of excellent prose works will serve as a stimulus for regular writing exercises. These exercises will give students an opportunity to try out different techniques and approaches in their own writing, encouraging them to develop as writers in a friendly and supportive environment. Students will also have the opportunity to meet Rob for one-on-one discussions on any aspect of their writing practice. Among the topics we will cover in our weekly workshops are the following:

  • Autobiographical writing 
  • Creative non-fiction 
  • Travel writing 
  • Rethinking the short story 
  • Experimental writing (e.g. ‘cut-ups’, automatic writing, microfictions etc) 
  • The novel 
  • Hybrid writing (i.e. writing which blurs traditional genre boundaries) 
  • The practicalities of being a writer (publishing, editing, finances etc)

Rob Doyle’s first novel, Here Are the Young Menwas chosen as a book of the year by The Irish TimesSunday TimesSunday Business Post, and Independent. It is one of Hot Press magazine’s '20 Greatest Irish Novels since 1916', and was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards Newcomer of the Year. Doyle’s second book, This Is the Ritual was a book of the year in the New StatesmanSunday Times and Irish Times. His fiction, essays, and criticism have appeared in The Guardian, Observer, Vice, Dublin Review, Irish Times, Sunday Times, Dalkey Archive’s Best European Fiction 2016 and elsewhere. Rob Doyle is editor of the Dalkey Archive’s Anthology of Irish Literature, due for publication in spring 2018.
 
Application Process:
If you are interested in joining the workshops, please send a short writing sample (up to 5 pages) and a brief explanation outlining your interest in creative writing. Please forward to Dr Oona Frawley (oona.frawley@mu.ie) by Wednesday 4 October 5pm.