How changing a character can save a story
A little trick I have found to be very useful when I am struggling to create a character who will serve my needs is to change something dramatic about them, such as their sex. Often, when starting out on the process of writing a character I have a real person in mind. It’s inevitable. The characters I write emerge from my experiences.
Three nuggets of advice from my master’s in creative writing
When people learn that I studied for a master’s in creative writing at the University of Limerick, where internationally renowned figures such as Joseph O’Connor and Donal Ryan are among the teachers, they invariably want to know more. What did I learn from them?
A novel night at The Novel Bean
Last night (Thursday, 11 December, 2025) I had the pleasure of being the very first guest author at the newly opened The Novel Bean, Cathal Kelly’s eclectic new book-cum-coffee-cum-gift-cum-so-much-else store in Swinford. I was there to read from – and be interviewed about – my debut novel, On The Way Out. Huge credit to Cathal, Róisín, Seán and everyone involved for hosting such a generous and welcoming night. The place was buzzing. There was that hum you get when people have gathered because they are happy to be out to enjoy a new event in a new setting.
How early readers keep a story on track
Blessed are the early readers – and the late ones too – for they shall spot the untightened gears and pulleys that might otherwise derail the hurtling train. I retained quite the retinue of early and late readers for my debut novel On The Way Out: Barry Maguire, Brian Joyce, Carolina Batista, Colm Burtchaell, Conor Hughes, Declan Varley, Dymphna Culhane, Eamon Loughlin, Eilín O’Carroll, Emma Horan, Helen Bree, John Culhane, Kellie Thornton, Marie Shannon, Mary Halligan, Maurice Horan, Michael Horan, Michelle Horan, Mike Quinn, Noreen Gilligan, Pat Conway, Peter Browne, Sinead Horan, Siobhan Corcoran, Stephen Carolan, Suzanne Walsh, Shirley Byrne and Veronica Keys.
What writers and readers are saying About On The Way Out
Since publishing On The Way Out in November 2025, I’ve been very happy with the reactions it has drawn from acclaimed writers, judges of the Gerald Griffin Competition and readers who encountered the book in entirely their own way. As a debut novelist, I’m grateful for every response, and I’d like to share some of them here. I do so mindful of the fact that there are undoubtedly some for whom the book doesn’t work – no book pleases everyone.
A special night ahead at The Novel Bean, Swinford
I’m delighted to be the guest for the first-ever Writer Event at The Novel Bean in Swinford on Thursday, December 11, where I’ll be their inaugural Featured Author of the Month. The event starts at 7.30pm, and everyone is welcome.
It’s a real honour to bring my debut novel, On The Way Out, to a new local venue that’s quickly becoming a hub for readers and writers.
Interview on the Joe Finnegan Show, Shannonside Radio
I joined Joe Finnegan on Shannonside Radio today to talk about On The Way Out — where the story came from, my background in journalism, my move into fiction writing and why I went back to college to study creative writing at the age of 55.
Tommy Marren Show – Mid West Radio – interview, 9 December 2025
I was on Mid West Radio today, chatting with Tommy Marren about On The Way Out — the writing of it, the Gerald Griffin Award and getting my first novel published and launched.
‘The ups and downs of small-town Ireland captured in debut novel by former Mayo sports journalist Liam Horan’
Thanks to Oisín McGovern of The Irish Independent for interviewing me about my debut novel, On The Way Out.
"We are introduced to the town through Matt and Louise, two ordinary inhabitants of this steady but struggling town in the middle of somewhere but not quite anywhere'.
'The town and its characters are instantly relatable. Matt and Louise are every bit as friendly yet quietly worried and insecure as the people you meet in any town to the west of Ireland.' Read Oisín's take on it all here: bit.ly/44b4tHd Yes, it's behind the paywall, they've got to get paid too.How writer and editor shape the story’s path
How does a writer interact with their editor? That’s a question I often get asked. My editor for On The Way Out was my work colleague at the Western Development Commission, Aisling Moroney. And just as I was a debut novelist, she was a debut novel editor. Why not!
