Four years ago, I decided constantly refreshing my Gmail in the hope that next time would be the time I FINALLY saw an email from an agent saying, “Yes! You! Sign here...” wasn’t a good way to live your life. I only spent 3 weeks at college first time around (1 of which was Freshers so *technically* it was 2) and had been totally studying the wrong thing, ie. science. I decided, at age 32, to apply to Trinity College Dublin, a campus that would’ve barely admitted me as a tourist what with my abysmal Leaving Cert results. Luckily, mature students aren’t judged on them! I got in, I moved to Dublin, I started my four-year degree in English Studies and all was well with the world. Except... 6 weeks in, I got that email. And 6 months in, I got my book deal. Everything went tits up, even if it was all very #firstworldproblems. I missed classes. I wrote all my assignments the night before the deadline in a caffeine-fueled fever dream. (My greatest achievement was 3 of them between 7:00am one day and 10:00am the next. Coffee is AWESOME.) My first thriller came out the day before my second year exams started; I sat Post-Colonialism while dangerously hungover and armed with only a vague recollection of the lectures. (And still, somehow, passed.) I took a class in non-fiction that I’ll never forget. And meanwhile I edited a novel, wrote another one from scratch and saw two publication dates. Today I got my final results: I have my degree. 👍🏻 #university #college #student #celebration #dublin #dublinireland #trinitycollege #trinitycollegedublin #writersofinstagram #writersoninstagram #writer #bubbly #bubbles
Inspired by @melissahillbooks... 25 years ago today, my favourite movie of all time came out. A few weeks before it hit cinemas, I convinced my mum to buy me the movie tie-in version of Crichton’s novel, en route to our, ahem, summer home, ie. a 4-berth caravan in Garryvoe. (There were 5 of us.) My bed was a hammock style thing that clipped into position over the dining table and I distinctly remember lying in it on my stomach, trying to get through all the genetics stuff at the beginning. (I was 11.) Today, it’s still my favourite novel. I have some highbrow faves too, but this wins for pure enjoyment and it’s the only book I’ve re-read every year for the past 25. Held together now with only sellotape and hope, the re-reads happen with a beautiful hardback special edition I picked up in Barnes & Noble a few years back, or the new paperback I bought for travel. Age 11, I just couldn’t believe this amazing world had come from one man’s imagination. At 35, I still can’t. #jurassicpark #jurassicpark25 #jurassicpark25thanniversary #book #books #bookstagram #reading #amreading #michaelcrichton #favouritebook
Many a wet, cold, dark and wintry Monday morning did I pull on my fluffy socks, make a big cup of coffee and thank the universe for my commute of less than ten steps. For nearly all of the time, writing for a living is the BEST. But these last three weeks have brought exceptionally sunny and warm weather - VERY unusual for Ireland, where “summer” is a few nice days in late April and then rain - and I’ve been stuck inside because Book 3 needs finishing ASAP. WhatEVS! #writersofinstagram #writersoninstagram #writing #amwriting #notebook #stationery #stationeryaddict #stationerylover #notebooks #journals
