Flying high with Inklings as writers present anthology

One of the creative challenges of creative writing is to write creatively on ‘happenings’ – events that have taken place. On Wednesday June 17, Inklings Creative Writing group launched their inaugural collection: Inklings Anthology Stories and Poems. One could simply describe the event as it happened or one could frame it in a creative nuance.

Here’s a creative nuance:

Welcome to Flight 101 Inklings Anthology Stories and Poems, the inaugural flight after 10 years of procrastination. September 2016, Inklings began with the goal of lift-off of the hidden literary acumen and acu-women of persons in the community of Greater Mullingar and Westmeath.

My name is Brian McLoughlin. I am your captain tonight. We anticipate a safe flight into the Land of Literature but in the event of things becoming too hot, the fire exits are four: left, right, top left and at the bar. Please note the exit nearest to you and be prepared to sprint, and especially, do not linger at the bar.

In the likely event of emotional turbulence, oxygen masks will not drop from the ceiling, but there is wine which can be purchased from our friendly crew and that works best. Please ensure your phones are switched to silent or airplane mode. Please note there are no life-jackets under the seats.

Please fasten your belts before you attempt to fasten the person next to you.

Should you feel faint from excitement, plot twists, or unexpected metaphors, please place your head between your knees… or someone else’s, if you’re feeling brave. Anyone caught smoking will be vaporised.

Your in-flight entertainment on this evening’s flight will be first class as you are travelling first class. It will be provided by our friendly Inklings Flight crew and will consist of the following:

‘The Quitting Game’ by Jacqui Wiley (deadly thriller)

‘Murmuration, Lough Ennell’ by Jimmy O’Connell (watery speckled poetry)

‘Lemon Tree’ by Lynn Clarke (Romance or rather seduction)

‘Clothes Peg’ by Laurence Meehan (love in the mundane)

‘Everywhere smells of dead things’ by Jeanette Everson (Reflection on death in winter)

‘Would that it were I could be an artist’ by Liam Manning (Shakespearian-like ode to beauty)

‘One’ by Louise Ryan (meditation on life)

…and for the landing we have ‘The Long Irish Goodbye’ by Pat Kenny because you don’t really want this flight to end.

A first class line up, you will agree. It is just a taster of the many goodies that are yours when you purchase Inklings Anthology Stories and Poems.

Copies of Inklings Anthology Stories and Poems can be purchased duty free from mullingarliteraryfestival.com.

Other goodies in the Inklings Anthology Stories and Poems include delicate procedures, death by chocolate, disappointing church-box collections, best-man disasters, weeping wives, Armageddon, forbidden trips, rock cemeteries, entrails, Picasso, rescued pets, fallen heroes, life’s beauty and death on flaggy shore, to name a few.

Finger food will be served for your nourishment during the landing. Please eat chicken wings, sausages and chips as they won’t eat themselves.

We at Inklings are here for you, to serve your literary enjoyment.

Thank you for flying Inklings and please don’t wait till you’re in the grave to fly with us again.

Inklings would like to thank the Annebrook House Hotel staff for serving us so generously over the years, the Westmeath Examiner for publishing our weekly column.