Creative Writing Workshops

Writing Workshops in greater Boston and New England, Ireland and Canada

I love leading writing workshops for 20+ years, and here’s what I bring to the process and privilege of teaching writing:

  • As well as being an author, I’m a trained teacher with a bachelor’s degree in education

  • I hold a master’s degree in English and writing

  • I’m a multi-published author, with extensive experience in writing, editing and publishing

  • My day-job work in healthcare has heightened my ability to listen, inquire and protect people as they tell their stories

  • I’ve developed and taught a teach-the-teacher class for MFA (writing) candidates on how to lead inclusive and psychologically safe writing workshops in community settings

  • My classes get great reviews (see below)

See my author bio. Past workshop venues and groups include writers’ organizations, literary conferences, universities, public libraries and community venues such as a City of Boston program for older adults.

Contact me and we can chat about a topic for your specific group. Scroll down for learner or organizational testimonials and former or current clients.

Testimonials

Áine is a talented and experienced instructor who gave honest and meaningful information. I left with new-found knowledge as well as inspiration ... This workshop was money and time very well-spent!

— Participant, Pioneer Valley Writers Workshop

“You really seemed to connect with all of us in the audience, and you said so many things that made sense to me as a writer.”

— Participant, National Writers Digest Conference, New York City

“Very instructive and a great pleasure ... Inspirational too, both in terms of the content of your session but also your own competence and love of the writing."

— Participant, Irish Writers Centre, Dublin, Ireland

“... She holds your attention, makes you laugh, and says a lot of very true things that make you think, and keep thinking ... the overall impression is of kindness, hilarity, and respect.”

— Participant, Unicorn Writers Conference, CT

I do appreciate a really good workshop leader, and you are among the very best.”

— The Cape Cod Writers Center

“I don’t know how you did it, but you got me writing again."

— Participant, New Hampshire Writers Project

“It was everything promised, and more. I left with a nice glow.”

~Participant, Gloucester Writers Center

Creative Writing Workshop Topics

Writing Your Personal Essays - For all narrative writers, including beginners.

Darling, You’re Making a Scene -  Whether you’re writing a personal essay or a fictional story, live-action scenes are the building blocks of your narrative. Learn what makes a scene come alive and really ‘work’ within that story. 

Truth or Dare - Writing About Family in Our Nonfiction Essays or Memoirs

He Said. She Said -  How to write great dialogue in your non-fiction (memoir; personal essay) and fiction narratives.

This Is My Place - The places we’ve lived or been are more than residences or geography. Instead, some places are unforgettable and hold a special place (!) in our minds and memories. This workshop will help you to write about places—past and present, real and temporal—and how that place has formed you.

Start Your New Year Off “Write” - After the holiday season, it can be hard to get back into or start a writing practice. This workshop can jumpstart your writing and help you to sustain your new year resolution to write more.

A Clean, Smooth Finish  - Learn how to make those final edits to fine-tune your work to catch an editor's eye

Words after Work - For those who work a busy day job. Use creative writing as a way to re-discover your narrative voice and creative self.

Writing Workshop Fees

The fees vary and are always affordable. In certain cases, I also offer partial student scholarships.

Fees: My fees vary, depending on the length of the workshop.

Recent Venues

  • Writers Digest National Conference,

    New York City

  • City of Boston

  • UMass Boston Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

  • New Hampshire Writers Project 603 Conference

  • Emerson College

    Boston

  • The Irish Writers Center

    Dublin

  • Straw Dog Writers

  • Pioneer Valley Writers

  • Ocean Park Writers Conference

  • Unicorn Writers Conference

  • Cape Cod Writers Conference

    Cape Cod Masssachusetts

  • Munster Literature Center

    Cork, Ireland

  • Ferry Beach Conference and Retreat Center

Recent Presentations and Keynotes

  • Saint Johns’ University Critical Thinking Lecture Series

    Minnesota

  • International Women’s Writing Guild

    Keynote

  • Newburyport Literary Festival

    Newburyport, Massachusetts

  • California State University

    Chico

  • Arkansas Literary Festival

Fees: My fees vary, depending on the length of the workshop.