Tomorrow I’m off to Ireland! I’ve discussed before here the wonderful writers’ retreat, Anam Cara. It’s hard to believe that this will be my sixth stay, but it’s a testament to what a wonderful and important place it’s become to me. Before I found Anam Cara, I knew no other writers, anywhere. I had never had a discussion with another writer about the process of writing, the associated fears and dreams, the horrors and joys of it all. I had never had a discussion with another writer about anything. It’s true. I was like some character out of Star Trek — I knew there were other beings in the universe like me, but I had never come across any of them. Meeting other writers and learning they were just as insane as me was the first gift given to me by Sue Booth-Forbes and the magical place she has created. The second gift was a glimmer of confidence in my own work. Often the residents will share their work after dinner, and I’ll never forget the first time I was “forced” to read something I had written. I sat on the couch near the fire in the living room, among a small group of people who had already become my friends, who were sharing their own work and extraordinarily careful about the way they received the work of others. It was the safest possible place for me to read aloud. But when I started to read what went on to be a chapter from “Tangled Roots,” my hands started 
to shake so much I could barely hold my computer. I’ll never forget how Sue silently came to sit by my side, gently placed her hand on my leg, and somehow drained away my fear. That was only about three or four years ago, and it amazes me to realize how far I’ve come since then.
Have a wonderfully creative and peaceful week Sue. It sounds like a slice of heaven.
Anam Cara sounds fantastic. I hope you have a wonderfully productive time.
(My daughter just came in and said ‘who’s that drunk man, singing in a pub?)
Oh wow, Sue, it sounds like a sacred space. Bon voyage and take care.
Sue, everything you said about Anam Cara I echo. It was there, in 1999, that I wrote my first short story. And it’s not just the beautiful location, Sue B-F and the atmosphere she creates, is why it is a creative, safe space for artists and writers. The small incident you described illustrates perfectly why I’ve been back again, and why this is your sixth time. Wish I could be there too! Maybe for the 7th, eh? Have a wonderful, creative, inspired, inspiring, Irish, communal, magical week. Send my love to Sue and Jack, Vanessa and the Irish sea, sky and stones.
Have a wonderful week and I hope that it is everything you want it to be!!
C x
Hope it heals, inspires and uplifts. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful time and happy writing.
Sue, hope you’re having an amazing time and looking forward to hearing about it upon your return.
Well, by now you’ll be back – according to Facebook! Hope you had a wonderfully creative time – certainly sounds like a wonderful place and opportunity.
Your good wishes did the trick! See my latest blog for all that happened out there. If only you could all go — if you ever fancy a trip, let me know. I can give you all sorts of practical advice.