Writers in the Regions: Masterclass: Biography of an Idea with Mary Morrissy (Tipperary)

The Irish Writers Centre presents a two-hour lecture style masterclass with Mary Morrissy at The Source Arts Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. This masterclass is part of Writers in the Regions, our in-person masterclass series aimed at broadening our reach into the vibrant writing communities around the country and bringing expertise and experience to writers at different stages of their writing journey. 

About the Masterclass: Finish Your Novel Highlights 

Every novel is the wreck of a perfect idea – Iris Murdoch

How does a novel grow out of the triggering idea? In this masterclass Mary Morrissy will examine the biography of an idea, from the first stirrings of inspiration to writing THE END at the bottom of the manuscript.

Mary Morrissy is the author of four novels, Mother of Pearl, The Pretender, The Rising of Bella Casey and Penelope Unbound and three collections of stories, A Lazy Eye, Prosperity Drive and Twenty-Twenty Vision. Her short fiction has been anthologized widely and she has won a Hennessy Award and a US Lannan Foundation Award for her work. Her debut novel, Mother of Pearl, was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize and she’s been nominated twice  for the Dublin Literary Award.

A member of Aosdána, she is a journalist and has taught creative writing at university level in both Ireland and the US for the past 25 years. She was the associate director of creative writing at University College Cork until 2020.  She now works as a literary mentor.  She blogs on  https://marymorrissy.com and curates a second website – https://unawattersartist.com – dedicated to Dublin artist Una Watters (1918-1965), who will feature in her next book.

The Source Arts Centre opened its doors on 2nd October 2006 and has firmly established itself as one of the best live venues in the heart of the country. It comprises of a 250 seat theatre, visual art gallery, community studio space and cafe bar. The Centre aims to provide the people of Tipperary and its hinterlands with a cultural facility offering an engaging and diverse programme of events across many art forms. Alongside the presentation of professional, new and innovative work, and its commitment to developing a broad audience for the arts, The Source also has an open door policy to regional groups, encouraging interaction in the life of the centre through a variety of activities.