The Write Hours is our signature writing course.
It combines lessons on craft, carved out time to write, and personalised feedback.
We meet on zoom. Alice gives a fifteen minute lesson on one aspect of the craft of creative writing. We then have forty-five minutes to write. The second hour is to share work and receive feedback from your peers.
In addition to this each participant may submit a piece of writing directly to Alice to receive written feedback.
6 weeks
Saturdays 11am-1pm
Start Date: November 7th
End Date: December 12th
Previous attendees of the Write Hours have said
“I have attended a few of Alice’s workshops at the Linenhall and found them incredibly instructive and motivating. I learnt lots about the craft of writing. Her prompts were very effective in sparking my imagination and facilitating me to write chunks of a novel which still I’m working on. The feedback from Alice and the group was encouraging and sparked more writing at home where I struggle to be consistent. Her workshops were a game changer for me and led me to commit more time and effort to my writing and to feel more like a real “writer”. So I would highly recommend.”
— Kate, attended The Write Hours 2024-2025It has been over two years since I first met Alice Kinsella and attended her classes at the Linen Hall in Castlebar and at Lough Lannagh Village. My recollections of, and reflections on, her ability as a teacher are particularly positive. To begin with, Alice establishes the right tone in her writing group. She is serious but not heavy, welcoming but not effusive. She sets a practical example by being exact and professional about starting times. This establishes the businesslike character of the work. Her programme of writing activities is always well prepared. Her time is judiciously allocated. Her contributions and recommendations are considered, considerate, insightful, respectful, often light-hearted, but always to the point. In attending courses such as Alice’s, I expect the group leader to have the facility to align her contribution with the writer’s line of thought. In my opinion, Alice does this engagingly and to an exceptionally high level. As a former teacher, I recognise the difficulty of meeting such a challenge. It is not enough simply to get on board. The group leader has to have the talent to synchronise with the writer without dominating their rhythm or style. Alice is a perfect example of such capacity. Another of her attributes, which I value highly, is her capacity to make constructive comments without any taint of abrasive criticism. This requires a successful blend of sensitivity, intelligence and courage, and not everyone who attempts it succeeds. Building up is difficult, while knocking down requires little talent. I never left any of Alice’s classes feeling diminished in any way, nor do I recall seeing anyone else leave in that condition.
Writers must find their voice, and Alice helps them to do just that. She listens, inspires, and helps her writers to trust their own creative process. Within the group, she creates an atmosphere which is both safe and inspiring, and she coaches writers, through her insight and positive regard, to achieve a standard they sometimes did not know they had.
Alice has the rare gift of helping people to improve their craft. Through her thoughtful generosity, she enables those who attend her classes to grow as writers.
I consider myself fortunate to have discovered Alice, and I look forward to her guidance into the future.
— Tony, attended The Write Hours 2023-2025“I first came across Alice Kinsella at an open mic, where she read some of her published poetry. A few months later, I signed up for her six-week creative writing course at the Linenhall Theatre, in Castlebar, County Mayo. I found the course to be stimulating, informative, enjoyable and very engaging - most importantly, it got my memoir writing off the ground. I struggle to feel motivated when it comes to my own work, and I can't thank Alice enough for giving me plenty of one-on-one feedback in the small group setting. I also did Alice's intensive memoir writing masterclass, which was really comprehensive. We covered so much ground - I was able to make swift progress with my writing as a result of this. I've also had a chance to try Alice's introduction to creative writing, which she co-facilitates with Daniel Wade, and this course has something for everyone, as it covers many different genres. I've learned so much since attending Alice's classes and workshops - they're excellent value for money, and they provide structure and help me focus on my own writing, which has come on quite a bit in the time I've attended these courses. Alice is a superb tutor - she offers constructive feedback to each student, and she's able to ensure we all leave each class with the tools necessary to begin and improve our own writing.
— Karishmeh, attended The Write Hours 2025What to Expect
The lesson
Writing Time
Feedback
You will have the opportunity to receive both written and verbal feedback. You can bring a piece of writing to share, or can choose to read what you have written in the class. To ensure everyone has the opportunity to share, each person can expect to share at least three times across the six weeks. You can submit a piece of writing for written feedback via email each week. To receive written feedback, please email a piece of writing (1000 words max) 5 days before class.
Who is this for?
This course is suitable for beginners in creative writing. It’s also an excellent refresher course for those who would like to get back into a writing practice, are moving genres, or want a low pressure environment in which to write and receive feedback each week.
In the years of running this course, I have repeatedly received the feedback that the time to write and accountability it provides are essential. We are all busy people, and carving out time to write in the week can seem impossible. At the end of the lesson, you’ll be given a prompt (which you can use or discard and write what you wish) and we will all take forty-five minutes to write.
Each week will be themed around one element of creative writing craft.
Week One: finding inspiration in the everyday
Week Two: Imagery
Week Three: Character, change, and subtext
Week Four: Setting and Scenes
Week Five: Point of View
Week Six: Time and Structure
The prompt each week will be tailored to explore these topics and put what you have learned into practice.
Meet your tutor
I'm Alice Kinsella, I'm a writer and neurodivergent mum. I've published five books, including Milk: on motherhood and madness (Picador, '23), and have taught creative writing for twelve years. I’ve been awarded bursaries, residencies, and awards including being named Next Generation Artist by the Arts Council of Ireland in 2022. My work has received reviews such as:
'Sublime' - Donal Ryan, author of Strange Flowers on Milk
'Here is a writer who matters' -The Irish Times on Milk
‘An utterly brilliant and visual-physical-poetical exploration of the fate and mortal beauty of the whale in Irish waters. All the pity and majesty of their existence, and ours, is laid bare in Alice Kinsella’s dreamlike work which, like Melville’s Moby-Dick before it, defies all description and arouses the deepest empathy.’ – Philip Hoare, author of Leviathan or, the Whale
In short, I love writing, and I am very fortunate to have made it a substantial part of my career. But my life wouldn’t feel complete if I was writing full time, because my work as a creative writing teacher and mentor that has brought so much meaning and joy.
I’ve taught in all sorts of settings, from libraries and schools, to writing festivals and universities. Hundreds of writers have taken my workshops. I’ve been lucky to see writers go from not knowing if they want to keep writing to finishing their first novel. I’ve watched past-students sign with agents and publish books. Working closely with writers is a dream life, and I’m so grateful to do it on a daily basis.
I’ve been running The Write Hours for a few years at my local arts centre. I've really enjoyed my career so far, but last year I burned out and knew I had to change how much I was doing. I'm working on creating more balance in my life so I can be more present for my son. Moving my work online is a huge part of that.
I LOVE working with writers. Because I have been the person who wants to write but can't find the time, felt like they didn't know the rules, was sure it was something I was going to mess up. So many people want to write but don’t because they lack the time and confidence. It’s my belief that when we build our creative confidence, we can use the time that’s available to us more fruitfully. Working with others is an excellent way to do this. Because your voice is important. Your story does matter. I believe writing should be accessible to everyone. Because we all deserve to tell the stories within us in the way we want to tell them.
FAQs
Where do the sessions take place?
We meet on zoom once a week for six weeks.
I’ve never given other writers feedback before
Don’t worry! In the first week we will go through a simple lesson on writing workshops, learning how to give and receive feedback in a kind and constructive way.
Do I have to share my work?
You will have the opportunity to do so, but it is not mandatory.
If I change my mind can I get a refund?
We do, of course, recognise that life happens and circumstances beyond our control can mean we don’t get to do everything we sign up for!
The course is fully refundable up to 7 days before it starts. If you cancel after this point we will try to fill your space and refund you if we do. After the course starts it is non-refundable.