image source: D Sharon PruittPeople often ask me if I mind making changes to my book. I don't mind at all because the changes my editor suggests make perfect sense, and I love improving my writing. The hardest change I…

Today is World Book Day. Such a good excuse to do nothing this evening except curl up with a good book. In a few moments I am going to see my friend's exhibition in Cork (she's a sculptor), so I…

I'm reading An Education (Lynn Barber's memoir), and am really enjoying it. Last night I came across this line and smiled.'I felt, as Julie Burchill memorably remarked, that when I discovered writing it was as if I'd been speaking a…

product info…

image source ♥The Gilmore Girls - I've started watching this wonderful t.v. show from the beginning again. I love when I actually get one of the many obscure references.♥Charade - this blog is just fabulous. It is written by a very wise and…

image source Dialogue can be tricky. I actually find writing conversations kinda fun (All those years of talking much less than the average person have finally payed off!)  Here are some tips that I've picked up along the way.♥Read plays -…

My blog is one today! Happy Birthday First Three Chapters.I wrote my first blog post on Feb 16th 2009. Since then so much has happened, including one amazingly fabulous jump up and down thing (book deal baby!).I'd just like to…

imagesource♥Hannah Deacon talks teen fiction over on the cbi website - a superbly detailed and honest account of what teens want to read, by a teenage reader and writer. If you are writing teen fiction then you should definitely check…

I finished the rewrites (thanks so much for the good luck comments.)  The rewrites were difficult, but totally worth it.  The word 'dramatic' was used to describe me by at least 4 different people over the last month. I don't…

When did you decide to become a writer?  Somebody asked me this question recently. Although I can't recall the exact moment I decided to become a writer, I do remember when the possibility first entered my head. It was a…

I saw this on Notebook Doodles  and thought I'd give it a go. All the questions have to be answered in one word.Your Cell Phone? iPhoneYour Hair? cutYour Mother? PrettyYour Father? FunnyYour Favorite Food? ChineseYour Dream Last Night? ScaryYour Favorite Drink? TeaYour Dream/Goal? BooksWhat Room Are You In?…

Awards season is in full swing, and movie news is all around, so I thought I'd post some pictures of my favourite actresses.Zooey Deschanelimage source (I want Zooey's hair. She gets really great roles and she can sing too!)Emily Bluntimage source  (She…

product info *I certainly can't afford a miu miu bag...but a girl can dream!…

…

I'm loving my new Ikea bookshelves! So pretty and so reasonably priced. My other bookshelves were full and there was a huge stack of books piled up in my writing room so I figured it was time to invest in…

You can log in to your email account faster than the speed of light.You also know the location of every free WiFi hotspot in your town and get withdrawal symptoms if you haven't checked your email in a few hours…

image sourceI've been doing some rewrites on my first novel. 11 days of lots of tea and irregular sleeping patterns. Here's what I have learned so far:♥ Rewrites are difficultThey are challenging and draining and at times a little bit stressful.…

image: creative commons Hello Everyone I have some more rewrites to do (on my debut novel Angel Kiss) and they are due in a week or so. Whenever a deadline is looming I am most likely to be found in my…

I got a book voucher for Christmas so can now indulge in some of the things I denied myself last year. I fell in love with these Penguin Classic covers designed by fashion illustrator Ruben Toledo last August but I figured…

image:cc Favourites of 2009Movies:500 Days of SummerAdventurelandUpTV Shows:How I Met Your MotherSkinsMisfitsTrue BloodGigs:Josh Ritter in Whelans Dublin.Paramore in the O2 Dublin.Neil Young in the O2 Dublin.Play:DNA performed by Galway Youth TheatreAlbum:Brand New Eyes - ParamoreSong:The Only Exception - ParamoreBook:The Twelve by…

image source Just wanted to wish a very Merry Christmas to everyone who reads my blog. I hope you get everything you wish for!I am off now to enjoy the various festive gatherings and to eat an insane amount of sweets! Happy…

           product info  …

portable hard drive for backing up those important fileslaptop sleevefor looking super stylish in the libraryglovesfor toasty hands when typinga typewriter ringfor someone special…

Hello Everyone!Isn't December so much fun?!  Winter is my favourite time of year. I love sitting on a big armchair beside the fire, writing stories and drinking tea.  My auntie got me a really handy cushioned laptop support from Ikea for…

Blogger and super cool children's author David Maybury has a really great Christmas Competition over on his blog.He is giving away three different hampers that feature some brilliant children's and teen's books. There's a set for boys, one for girls and…

Hello EveryoneIt's been an exciting weekend.  I went to my writers' agency Christmas party on Friday night.  I am represented by Faith O'Grady at the Lisa Richard's agency.  They also represent actors and comedians so there was a mix of creative types…

image source  I adored Saoirse Ronan's red carpet outfit for the New York premiere of The Lovely Bones.  I'm a huge fan of dresses paired with black tights. (She also wore black ankle boots). This style is perfect for a young…

product info…

image: creative commonsI saw this questionnaire on the lovely Emily's blog so thought I'd give it a go. They were fun questions to answer because they are all about reading and books. 1. Last books i bought:Dead Until Dark by…

Shown above:pencil casenotebookheadphonesletter set I think it is safe to say that most writers like stationary.  Anytime I have gone to a writing workshop I have always seen the most elaborate notebooks and pens scattered around the table. And don't you…

Comment number 22: Lauren (ShootingStarsMag)Congratulations Lauren! I will be emailing you shorting to get your address details.Thank you to everyone who entered and sorry to those who didn't win this time. Watch this space for more giveaways in the New…