A relatively brief update this week again. I started off last week, writing like a man possessed. Not that the writing was particularly great, but it was definitely coming. That ‘flow’, so often talked about by successful people gradually seemed to be coming quicker and quicker every time I sat down to write. Yay!

Unfortunately, then Wednesday hit. I teach Irish dancing on Wednesdays from 6pm until 9pm, and usually am not back home until 10pm, when I’ll need to make dinner if I haven’t had any. This isn’t a ‘poor me’ – I love teaching dancing. It’s one of the real joys I get in life. But this particular Wednesday left me particularly tired on Thursday (when I also teach dancing) and subsequently into Friday. Then the weekend came and with it a wedding and a feis to attend, I got virtually nothing done.

Still, I’m back on the wagon now and that’s all that matters! For full disclosure, because I want this to be honest, I didn’t get to submit the work I was working on last week. I’m okay with that. I didn’t start this all to enter short story competitions, and the piece itself has benefited from me having had more time.

As I’ve nothing myself to post this week (and the Writing Club are all plugging away at different projects) I thought I’d mention some of the incredibly talented people I’ve come across who are all doing various artistic projects. These are only a very small few – if I missed your project, please forgive me! I’ll mention more in another blog some day.

Brendan Conway – Musician

Brendan’s music is, honestly, incredible. He’s got a superbly unique voice, is annoyingly talented at writing his own music and has a great ear for what makes a good song. Incidentally, he’s also a good friend who gives huge support to other people pushing their own projects.

Recently he’s been working his ass off and it’s beginning to pay off. He was on BBC Radio Ulster’s John Toal Show, performing two of his new songs (which he wrote himself). You can listen to him here on BBC Sounds, with Brendan’s sections starting at 29:55 and then again at 51:55. Treat yourself and have a listen. His upcoming EP Launch has sold out and he’s had a host of gigs – all while working full time.

Michael Patrick – Screenwriter, Actor, Writer

I’ve met Mick only very briefly a few times, after he signed up to a previous project I attempted a few years ago. It says a lot about him that he was happy to travel to Omagh from Belfast, on the possibility that the admittedly hopeful punt was going to pay off. But come he did and blew the rest of the team’s socks off. I remember thinking, ‘That guy is the real deal’.

Since then, he has written TWO award winning plays alongside co-author Oisín Kearney, My Left Nut and The Alternative, is acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has had My Left Nut dramatised by the BBC . Please give it a watch – Mary Carmel and I sat down to the first episode tonight and loved it.

All of this to say, Mick (and Oisín for that matter) are another pair of incredibly talented guys who should – and do – inspire other people to follow their passion. (Mick, if you ever happen to read this – thank you for being such a champ around that podcast! I’ll get back to it someday)

Edel O’Kane – Artist

Artists are, I think, some of the bravest people you can come across. It’s something that is complex beyond words and yet is often glanced at only in passing by people in making their minds up on it. Edel has some stunning works on her Instagram account, Kaeno Art, that showcase a range of styles and highlight her incredible skill. It wasn’t even something I knew she was into until recently.

Seeing works like hers is again, inspiring.

So I hope that deluge helps. There are a lot of talented people out there and it’s certain that you’re one of them. Go do your thing.

(And thanks for reading!)