2019 has been a significant year in terms of my writing. I’ve never written as much, and being able to devote myself to it daily has been both a welcome challenge, and a true pleasure. I have discovered so much in doing so. About the art of writing. About what is needed if I am to succeed at it. About myself. And the most important realisation of them all is that the little girl who devoted herself so completely to it as a child was right – it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, and she can rest assured that I won’t be stopping now.
As I put my pen temporarily down for this year, I take a look back at my writing achievements across 2019, including in music. But, before I do, I want to thank anyone who took the time to read my work, to share it, to send words of encouragement when it was needed, and congratulations when the occasions merited it. I am so grateful to the family and friends who have been such a great support across the year.
Finally, I cannot go without mentioning my Writing Group. Constructive criticism is essential to every writer, and I am thoroughly blessed to have met a very special group of people whose commitment and feedback has not only been an important part of my development as a writer, their friendship has proven just as invaluable.
And so, as we say farewell to both the year, and the decade, I take an important look back, before facing firmly forward.
December
Fiction: Bottled Clouds published in Visual Verse: An Anthology of Art and Words
Fiction: Compliments of the Season
November
Fiction: Island Bound published in Visual Verse: An Anthology of Art and Words
Music: Music and Performances by Emma Hynes
Review: Cogitation Street – an opinion piece on the Coronation Street of 2019
October
Fiction: A Lesson in Grief. A special mention goes to this story, as I performed it at the Irish Writers Centre’s Takin’ the Mic as part of the Red Line Book Festival. It was my first time to read one of my stories publicly, and it was a very special evening for me.
Music: Supported Native Harrow at The Underground Venue, Dublin
September
Music: Announced as the support act for HAIL THE GHOST, Whelan’s, 31 January 2020
August
Interview: Coronation Street Blog Interview: Lorna Laidlaw
Interview: Coronation Street Blog Interview: Kerri Quinn
Interview: Coronation Street Blog Interview: Mikey North
May
Music: Featured musician at the Staccato Literary Salon, Toner’s Pub, Dublin
Fiction: My dear friend and writer Glenda Young published her second novel, The Tuppenny Child. In it, is a very special chapter dedicated to Nollaig na mBan, the Irish tradition of Women’s Christmas. This came about after I mentioned it online in January of this year, and Glenda loved it so much that she decided to dedicate a chapter of her book to it. I was beyond proud to be mentioned in the acknowledgments, and a special section of the book providing background information on Nollaig na mBan. While this is Glenda’s book and story, I just had to include it here, as it is one of the loveliest things of a writing nature that will ever happen to me.
April
Fiction: The Duet
Fiction: Writing About Music
February
Music: Supported Brew of Blue Sun, in aid of the NCBI, at The Workmans Club, Dublin
Review: It’s a Sailor’s Life for Peter Barlow – an opinion piece on a great Coronation Street storyline
Emma Hynes
www.emmahynes.net
Twitter: @EmmaHynesWriter
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This Is Emma Hynes 
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