A short video of the wonderful place we host many of our workshops. Not included in this footage: the delicious home cooking of our host, Róisín.
All posts by Sixpenny
Workshop: Old Rectory Retreat
When: Saturday, August 14th, 10.30-5
Where: Old Rectory Retreat, Knappagh, Westport, Co. Mayo
Cost: 60 Euro OR bring a friend and get 2 for the price of 1 (30 Euro each) for a fun and productive day. Delicious homemade lunch included!
Contact: hq@sixpens.com | +353 87 763 4339
Feedback for Six Pens Writing Workshops:
– “Fiona’s Releasing the Writer’s Creativity Workshop helped me work through my writer’s block and get my thoughts down on paper. I walked into the workshop and introduced myself as a writer of prologues and first chapters. By the end of the weekend, I had fully fleshed out my plot, my main characters, and wrote 10 pages of usable prose. The writing prompts were thoughtful and built upon each other, leading the story down a path that I didn’t expect, but warmly welcomed. I can highly recommend this workshop to writers of any level, from the beginner to the expert!” – Lisa F.
– “A special bond seem to develop between diverse characters, I felt priveledged to be part of it.” – Madeleine J.
– “Thanks so much for your support, and help and inspiration.” – Roisin M.
Six Words and Say “Cheese!” Please. Submit Yours Now
A part of Westport Arts Festival 2010, we invite you to an event called Six Words and Say “Cheese!” Please.
What it is: a 6-word story + a photo of you = a new work of art.
Photographer Angela Campbell will be there to assist and print the photographs on the spot and Fiona Keane will offer you a pencil sharpener. Your self-portrait and 6-word story will hang as an artwork in Blousers Pub for the duration of the Arts Festival.
Where it’s at: Blousers Pub, James Street (near Octagon), Westport, Co. Mayo.
When it launches: October 2nd, 8pm – October 9th, evenings.
Who is welcome? Everyone, young and old.
If you can’t make it? Submit your 6-word story and/or photo via our Contact Page or email hq@sixpens.com and we will put them up on your behalf. There is no entry fee and the winner will receive a E100 book token.
The most famous six-word story was written by Ernest Hemingway:
For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
Writer Sarah Durkee came up with a tongue-in-cheek response:
For sale: Hemingway books, never read.
The form has been gaining popularity in recent years, particularly through the efforts of SMITH Magazine who have pioneered a memoir version. They have many excellent examples online.
Video: Ignite the West
Both Fin and Fiona gave talks as part of Ignite the West, a prepared presentation event: 20 speakers each given 5 minutes to talk alongside 20 slides of their choosing. Here’s what Fin had to say…
Workshop: Creatively Writing
Fiona is running two concurrent Creative Writing Workshops at the moment. They meet at the following times in Westport:
- Tuesdays 7.30pm-9.30pm
- Fridays 10am-12pm
at Sharkey Hill Community Centre (Fairways) . [Map/Directions]
In her classes, writers work on all forms of fiction and some work on non-fiction. All levels are welcome. Cost is €120 for an 8 week block.
Fiona is setting a 10-minute Play Challenge:
“ever thought of writing a 10 minute play? I’m trying to encourage local writers to work on 10-minute plays. If we can gather 5-6 good ones, we hope to mount a staged-reading of them in Westport later this year.”
To book your place, call Fiona at 087 763 4339 or Send an EMail or Message.
Workshop: One Day Immersion
Come to our next one-day immersion class in fiction writing.
Whether you are a seasoned scribe, or trying your hand at writing for the first time, this day may be for you. Beginning with a rapid overview of writing forms, followed by short discussions about character, plot, description and point of view, the writers will then work on a number of exercises designed to hone their skills in each area. The day is fast-paced and fun, with a strong emphasis on unleashing the writer’s creativity in a highly conducive setting at the Old Rectory Retreat, in Knappagh, Westport, Co. Mayo.
- When: Saturday, April 17th, 2010, 10am-4pm
- Where: Old Rectory Retreat, Knappagh, Westport, Co. Mayo
On Sunday, April 18th, Fiona would be happy to meet with writers for one-on-one sessions, to discuss the previous day’s work. Appointments can be made on the day of the workshop or by contacting Fiona directly. Check out Old Rectory Retreat, in Knappagh, Westport, Co. Mayo.
Six-Word Story Challenge / Six-Word Selfie
Six-Word Selfie is back at this year’s Westival!
Where: This Must Be The Place (remember the Talking Heads song?)
When: Sat. Oct 27th 2-5pm
What: A pop-up exhibition of stories and images created in situ by you (using our camera and materials). Originated by Fiona Keane of SixPens Writing + Angela Campbell of The Kodak Shop, Castlebar.
Cost: €3.00
In our last incarnation we exhibited all six-word stories at a community installation in Walsh’s Pub (Blousers) during the Westport Arts Festival, held in 2010 from October 1st to 10th. The most famous six-word story was written by Ernest Hemingway:
For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
The form reached (near) peak popularity in recent years, particularly through the efforts of SMITH Magazine who have pioneered a memoir version. They have many excellent examples online.
Keep an eye on the programme for the 2018 Westival (formerly Westport Arts Festival).