
Claire Keegan, internationally acclaimed author, invites you to join her for How Fiction
Works, which will run from 9am to 1pm daily. These seminars will explore and
demonstrate the characteristics and differences between the short story and the novel.
She will discuss the structure of narrative, character, tension, point of view, dialogue,
character, time and setting. Keegan will also invite discussion of some well-known Irish
stories, and a John McGahern novel. The course may be of particular interest to those
who write or read fiction — but anyone with an interest in reading or understanding how
fiction works is most welcome to attend.
The following stories will be discussed, taken from The Oxford Book of Short Stories,
chosen by V.S. Pritchett.
“The Demon Lover,” by Elizabeth Bowen
“The Tent,” by Liam O’Flaherty
“My Vocation,” by Mary Lavin
“Going Home,” by William Trevor
Also, a novel: The Barracks by John McGahern
These daily seminars will conclude at lunchtime so participants will be left free to attend
afternoon and evening events at the nearby festival, Write by the Sea, in Kilmore Quay,
just a 30 minute drive away, if they wish. It’s a nice fishing village with some excellent
restaurants and a beach with swimming spots. The program of events for the Write by the
Sea 2023 Festival is yet to be announced, but this year’s schedule will not be dissimilar to
last year’s, which is available online.
This event will be held in White’s Hotel in Wexford Town Centre, in the Oscar Wilde Suite.
Parking for participants is offered by the hotel at 5 euros per day. Tea, coffee and pastries
will be served at 11am.
To book a place, please contact clairekeeganfictionclinic@gmail.com A deposit and
completed booking form secures your place.