Working as a part-time branch librarian at The Art House in Stradbally, and writing her third novel as well as a collection of short stories, Niamh Boyce has, it could be said, a way with words.
“I always loved reading and always had a book going – and loved keeping journals – but I only started writing short stories and poetry in my late 30s,” she said.
“After leaving school, I studied art at NCAD, but made a u-turn from art to arts and studied history and English in University College Galway as it was then known. Then I went on to complete my Masters in Trinity,” Niamh said.
“I did women’s studies and took a higher diploma in community development practice and combined both qualifications by working with women’s groups in community development in Galway.”
She has lived in Ballylinan for as long as she has worked for Laois libraries, which is 16 years. “Where I live influences my writing, as place is hugely important in my work. My first novel ‘The Herbalist’ was set in Athy, and ‘Her Kind’ unfolds in Kilkenny.
“I write directly from place if I can, meaning if a scene is set by the river in Athy, or in the cathedral in Kilkenny, I’ll go there to write that first draft. I’m inspired by history, real cases – both my books were based on real life trials – and daily life,” Niamh said.
She took a sabbatical from the Laois Library Service to write full-time. “Laois Libraries have been very good to me in that regard,” said Niamh who revels in the opportunity to be surrounded by books again in a stunning space in Stradbally.
“I don’t write every day – not many people can. So many writers feel they should, but it’s not practical for most of us.
“I write four days a week, working on my novel, and doing the admin that comes with writing and mentoring other writers.
“At the moment I’m reading the entries for a short story competition that I’m judging. I still keep journals. They keep me grounded,” she said.
Right now she is working on a novel ‘Brigit’ which has just won the Denis O’Driscoll award.
“Novels are a long haul time wise, so it’s great to get encouragement like that. I’m also working on a collection of short stories.’
She teaches workshops and mentors writers through the Irish Writers’ Centre. “I usually teach novel writing, or give feedback on manuscripts. I’m doing less of that this Autumn, as I’m trying to get the novel finished.”
Niamh’s focus at present is on completing her novel ‘Brigit’ and on bringing out a collection of her short stories.
“I’ve been writing short stories for over a decade now, so it would be nice to have them collected and published together. They have been anthologised and published in literary magazines, but never gathered together.”
Well placed to observe reading patterns, she contended that people are reading differently than previously, using e-books for example.
“Audio books are hugely popular. We offer free audio and e-books through the library app, Borrowbox,” said Niamh.
”If you think about it, people are always reading, just in a different way. Very few of us are without our smartphone nowadays.
“We read news, articles and books. There’s nothing like a real life book though. Book sales went up over the last two years. Books and the arts sustained a lot of people during the pandemic. Hopefully that’s a habit we won’t drop.”
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