Curiosity beats over-planning, in my book
For a long time, I thought writing a novel meant knowing where you were going before you began. Plot it out. Understand the structure. Know what happens in the end, and preferably in the middle too. That belief probably delayed me writing a novel by years.
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?
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.
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!
Author interview at launch of On The Way Out
MC and good friend Colm Burtchaell interviewed me at the launch of my debut novel, On The Way Out, at the book's launch in Ballinrobe Library, on November 22, 2025. Colm claimed to be a novice behind the mic but I think you'll agree he gave a very polished performance.
Liam Horan’s Espresso Shot of Thought
As part of my MA in Creative Writing Studies at University of Limerick (2023-2025), I was given the opportunity to take part in the college's Espresso Shot of Thought series. Thanks to Emily Cullen, the Meskell UL-Fifty Poet in Residence at the college, for inviting me to take part in the series. Special word of gratitude too to Elaine Kiely, Oonagh Grace and Karen Byrnes for their work in editing the final version. MORE ON THE CRAFT OF WRITING: See HERE. I’m adding to this on an ongoing basis. As I learn, hopefully you can too. Every day is school day for us all.
