Vivienne Kearns

Short Story: Escape

Published on March 21, 2016August 25, 2019 by Vivienne Kearns

I awake in his house. Ice melts and crackles on the inside pane as it slides down to a sill full of stagnant water. Fully clothed, I lift myself off the floor and walk stiffly to the bedroom window, hugging my arms for warmth. The sky holds snow.

I turn to watch my two sons sleeping on the bed at the other side of the room, not wanting to wake them, but we have to leave soon. A sharp sound comes from outside and I see dogs nuzzling at the metal dustbins for food. I shake the boys awake. Ardan, the eldest, dresses hastily, but Liam turns slowly and I have to drag him from beneath the covers. When they are ready I open the bedroom door. The house is silent so we venture out and creep down the worn carpeted stairway and into the grey winter’s light. Continue reading “Short Story: Escape” →

Review: How Shopping Centres Inspired a Group of Writers

Published on December 31, 2015August 25, 2019 by Vivienne Kearns

One of the exciting and rewarding aspects of being in a writers’ group is the community projects in which you can become involved. Looking back at 2015 it was a great opportunity to be included in ‘Circle & Square,’ a collection of short stories and poems, which celebrated the 25^th anniversary of The Square shopping centre in Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland.

The publication was edited by Eileen Casey and was published by Fiery Arrow Press. The collection includes a host of acclaimed writers such as Dermot Bolger, Paula Meehan, Mia Gallagher, Ferdia McAnna, Geraldine Mills, Martin Dyar, Mary Guckian, Louise Phillips and Kevin Power, as well as members of the Platform One writers’ group. ‘Circle & Square’ is available for sale at Easons in The Square, Tallaght. Continue reading “Review: How Shopping Centres Inspired a Group of Writers” →

Review: Writing Historical Fiction

Published on June 2, 2014August 25, 2019 by Vivienne Kearns

If you are writing historical fiction, you may be interested in taking Dr. Séamus Ó Maitiú’s Dublin-based Lord Mayor’s Certificate in Local Studies course which runs from September to April on Tuesday evenings at Pearse Street Library. The course will give you a clear overview of the Irish resources and reference materials available to historical researchers. I completed the course in April 2014 and found it extremely useful for my own historical novel research. Continue reading “Review: Writing Historical Fiction” →