‘The most important thing to realise is that everyone is capable of telling a story. It doesn’t matter where we were born or how we grew up…’

Maeve Binchy.

Having just finished reading this gem of a book, it would be difficult not to feel, all fired up and ready to go. The book ‘The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club’ was written to ‘encourage aspiring writers and entertain fans the world over’

‘The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club’ comprises a series of letters, written by Ms. Binchy, to people who were taking part in a twenty week part-time writing course in a Dublin college. Each letter, containing tips and advice, was based around the chosen topic of the week. The course was devised by Ms. Binchy,who spoke at the first class and thereon ‘sent a letter ‘ to be read out at each subsequent class.

The book also includes advice from special guest speakers- some of Ireland’s foremost authors, writers’ agents and publishing house representatives, who spoke about specific areas of writing. These Included Marian Keyes, Alison Walsh, Norah Casey, Paula Campbell, Ivy Bannister, Seamus Hosey, Gerald Dawe, Jim Culleton, Ferdia McAnna and Julie Parsons .

The Maeve Binchy Writers’ Club was released in May by Orion.

The course concentrated primarily on the process of writing a book and the business of being a writer; the idea behind the course was that each budding writer would have a completed manuscript ready to be shown to a publisher at the end of the twenty week period.

Ms.Binchy’s letters were written in her own distinctive unique entertaining style, always in an amusing and self effacing manner-without losing the value, importance or richness of her advice.

The topics covered range from:

Getting Started: The emphasis here was on planning-time, order, discipline and sacrifices to be made. The would be writer has to make time available to write that book-often at the expense of something else.

Writers’ Groups: Here the author talked about the pros and cons of such groups; one of the ‘pros’ being the objective views and time spent with likeminded people .A possible con being that the group could become a ‘chat shop’-but no writing is achieved.

The book included, among others, topics such as, writing for children, writing for men, and various genre writing;. Every aspect as to where you can, as a writer, have your voice heard is covered.

There were two invaluable chapters on writing short stories, one from Ms. Binchy and a second from Ivy Bannister, writer and playwright. The emphasis in these chapters was on issues such as location-Ms. Binchy spoke amusingly of her own efforts at the beginning of her writing career; despite the fact that her story was placed in London-her publisher asked her why everyone in the book spoke with an Irish accent.

Details such as this are so important, she stressed; it hadn’t occurred to her that although we all speak the same language, we use it differently and this shows through in writing. If ,as the author says, you ask an English person a question, and the answer is ‘yes’-an English person will say just that ‘yes’. If you ask an Irish person the same question, the answer will always include some of the question repeated back.

Q: Are you going to the shop?

A: Yes (English)

A: Yes I’ m going to the shop (Irish).

This is one of the many reasons why the author placed great emphasis on having your finished manuscript read by objective professionals.

The author and guest speakers also stressed the value of writers’ agents and editors. Advice was also given with regard to the ‘finer details’ of promoting and selling books. For instance, between signing the contract (if you are so lucky) and the finished product being out on the shelves –usually takes upwards of eighteen months.

There were also very reassuring words with regard to rejection-and encouraging information about famous writers who refused to give up, despite many rejections.

A wonderful addition to the book are the blank pages, to be used when inspiration strikes and of course don’t forget your pen! The book also contained information about writing competitions-short stories and longer prose, magazines, radio stations ,screen and stage contacts, and some contact details for appropriate publishing houses

To crown it all, Maeve Binchy has written, as a final chapter, a great short story;-it’s brilliant and aptly named ‘The Writing Class’.

This review is just a mere glimpse into this un-put-downable book. In total it has only 167 pages ,each worth its weight in gold; a book any reader will keep as a constant source of reference.

My recommendation-buy two-your friend will want to borrow it and you’ll never get it back.

'The Maeve Binchy Writers' Club' can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com.

It is currently available in all major bookstores in Ireland.