Munster Literature Centre
Ionad Litríochta an Deisceart

MLC Workshops

How to Improve Our Memoir or Personal Essays by Learning and Practicing the Core Elements of Creative Non Fiction: a Craft Workshop with David McLoghlin

This is an online course through Zoom for those writers who are beginning or revising a project, whether memoir or personal essays. Each two-hour class will be equally divided between creative writing workshop and the craft of memoir. We will discuss exemplary texts, as we learn about, and then practice, how to

  • “show” and when to “tell”. Here you will learn the importance of scene to bring your story alive with dialogue and descriptive, immersive language.
  • use free-writing as a process to progressively hone in on the story you want to tell, and / or assist you in freeing you from blocks.
  • work with time by moving between present and past convincingly without confusing the reader, possibly employing more than one timeline, or at least establishing greater awareness of your “narrative present.” (By narrative present I mean the life of the adult narrator that is telling the story.)
  • identify the “story within the story” or throughline / central narrative thread, and work with leitmotifs by implementing recurring images or thematic elements.
  • create a balance of authentic scenes and exposition by weaving interjections by the adult narrator into the narrative, thus adding richness and texture. Scenes happen in an approximation of real-time while exposition is the informative linking material between scenes that helps us compress time, and deliver vital information.
  • find a structure that works for you by mapping plot points, carving out obligatory scenes, and polishing the narrative arc.

We will focus on in-class exercises and you’ll be encouraged to develop and sustain a writing practice to help you to generate new work, or revise a work in progress. This class stresses community, and will help you to build connections with other writers: hopefully “writing buddies” with whom you can share work long after our time together has come to an end. The semester also comprises “office hours” where you can meet with me via Zoom before or after class to discuss any aspect of your writing process that is on your mind. This is an especially important part of the class for me, as I very much enjoy assisting writers in teasing out the essential core of the story that they need to tell.

David McLoghlin has taught many memoir courses with The Irish Writers Centre, The Center for Fiction, Hudson Valley Writers Center and The Shipman Agency. His third book of poetry, Crash Centre, was recently shortlisted for the Pigott Prize in association with Listowel Writers Week. While living in New York City between 2010 and 2020 he was Resident Writer at Hunts Point Alliance for Children in the South Bronx, and an NYU Teaching Fellow at Coler Specialty Hospital. An essay was recently published on Poetry Foundation’s website, and an essay about his grandfather, the golf architect, Eddie Hackett, widely considered “the Father of Irish Golf Design,” is forthcoming in Golfer’s Journal. He is at work on a memoir and a fourth collection of poetry.

Cork Events

If you have a literary event in Cork (workshop, reading, open mic etc.) that you would like us to list here, please contact us.

Launch of the Poet-in-the-Community Residency with Jenny Mitchell on 26th June with poetry readings and open-mic.

The Poets Library

Cork City Library
curated by Kemi George-Simpson

Every first Saturday of the month at Cork City Library, a new poet will dissect their poems sharing origins, influences and the skills that make it impactful.

Next poet: James O’Leary, 5th July, 11 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

Waterstones Book Launches

book launches at waterstones, Patrick street

Upcoming:

  • Camarade by Theo Dorgan, 17th June 6.30 p.m.
  • Walking Ghosts by Mary O’Donnell, 24th June 6.30 p.m.

Ó Bhéal

2nd Monday of each Month at 8 p.m. (Streamed from 8.30 p.m.)

Events are held in the Hayloft Bar, upstairs at the Long Valley, Winthrop street, as well as on Zoom and streamed via obheal.ie/live.

Poetry Films start from 7 p.m. (45mins – not streamed). Five Word Challenge starts at 8.30 p.m. Guest poets begin at around 9.30 p.m. Open mic session from 10.30 p.m.

Lime Square Poets

Every Thursday at 7.45 p.m.

Founded in 2021, Lime Square Poets is a platform for poets worldwide to share and celebrate each other’s work. Our weekly online poetry events series is hosted from Limerick & Cork, Ireland, and consists of a reading from a featured poet followed by an open mic.

DeBarra’s Spoken Word

1st wednesday of each month at 8.30 p.m.

De Barra’s Spoken Word, Clonakilty is an open forum for writers of all genres. The evening features guest speakers, workshops and an open mic.

Frank O’Connor Writers’ Group

2nd Tuesday of each month at 3.30 p.m.
(no meetings in July or August)

The Frank O’Connor Writers’ Group meet in Mayfield Library. Refreshments served. New members always welcome. Phone Mayfield Library on 021-4924935 for further details.