Category Archives: Writing Retreats

Occasional Weekends throughout the year at Old Rectory Retreat

Let us know if you are interested in coming for a weekend (or longer) to get stuck into your writing with a group of like-minded people. You’ll be amazed how much writing gets done. Nurture, encouragement and nourishment come from Fiona & Fin (who lead workshops) & Roisin (who feeds and pampers).

Our dates are flexible, so If you (or a few of you) are interested in coming to plug into a project or kick-start something new, let us know.

Six Words and Say “Cheese!” Please. Submit Yours Now

Writing Retreats

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.

Six-Word Story Challenge / Six-Word Selfie

Writing Retreats

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).