Writers' workshop proves a novel experience for best-selling author Barclay

Bestselling author Alex Barclay is sharing the secrets of her success with aspiring authors, writes Marjorie Brennan.

IT is not unheard of for writers, by the very nature of their profession, to be somewhat self-regarding, egocentric and wary of competition. Successful Irish author Alex Barclay certainly isn’t any of these things, and is happy to give something back to others at a crime-writing workshop for Waterford Writer’s Weekend.

“I like doing it because writing is an isolating job, you’re on your own for a lot of it. And it’s amazing how many people don’t see how good their work is. They can be shy about reading their work but it astounds me how good it can be. I think it’s very important to be supportive of people in your life who are creative. I was very fortunate that I had that, I had a great team of supporters. I’m also lucky to have fabulous editors.”