Creative writing

A typical writing day usually begins at 7 am, ‘with a cup of tea and whatever sweet snack I can find.’

‘Year after year, I sent dozens of submissions out into the slush-pile’ Undaunted, Dwyer continued to hone his skills, maintaining then, as now, a regular writing routine.

A typical writing day usually begins at 7 am, ‘with a cup of tea and whatever sweet snack I can find.’ Eventually, he got an introduction to Sean O’Keefe of Liberties Press from another writer who liked his work and following ‘a year or two of keeping in touch, Liberties Press decided to publish my book, Number Games (2019).’ Dwyer earned richly deserved praise; ‘Irish fiction as ‘(The Independent). When it comes to taking a leap of faith, Dwyer also demonstrates grit and determination. Currently, he is exchanging the running of a successful financial services company (he established the company in 1993) for the literary life. Dwyer will retire next year to focus solely on writing. ‘I always have ideas simmering away in my head. I have a notebook I write these into. If the ideas are relating to something I’m presently working on, I’ll record them in red on page 1 of the file, along with character names, timeline and plot.’ Sound practice and one which served him well in the writing of a political thriller themed around the assassination of American President James Garfield.

James Abram Garfield (1831 – 1881) was the 20th president of the United States (inaugurated 2nd November, 1880). Four months into the presidency, Garfield was shot by an assassin (Charles Guiteau) and died two months later. Garfield was the first (and still the only) sitting house member to be elected.

Dwyer already had an interest in American history when he set out to write a historical novel but what he hadn’t reckoned on was the ‘interweaving with a present-day plot’. He still can’t explain how or why it happened. It’s easy to see however how Garfield the man proves an interesting subject. Born into poverty in a log cabin, he grew up poor in Northeast Ohio. As well as serving as a member of the Ohio State Senate (1859 – 1861), he also served as a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He fought in the battles of Middle Creek, Shiloh and Chickamauga. Plenty of plotting meat on the bone then for a novelist of such prowess as Dwyer. ‘Like most people I knew very little about Garfield. So, I went to the New York Library of Congress, where there is a wealth of primary source material.’ There’s no doubt that when the research bug bites, it bites deep, becoming all absorbing. Which proved to be the case with Dwyer; ‘I read newspaper articles, transcripts from Charles Guiteau’s trial. Interviews, speeches, police and medical reports’.

That said, Garfield and his assassination is not as well documented as Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy. But as any novelist worth their salt will attest, there’s no denying the role that an unexpected or quirky detail can add to an already intriguing narrative. In this case it was a guy called Roscoe Conkling who proved to be a catalyst. While in office, Garfield denied Conkling the lucrative post of Collector of the Port of New York, giving the plump appointment to William H. Robertson instead.

The resulting row brought about Conkling’s resignation. Dwyer became curious when he came across Conkling’s name (‘while messing about on Wikipedia’) thinking it strange enough to spark curiosity in him. ‘I had to learn more. The plot evolved from imagining alternative, plausible versions of the assassination to the accepted ‘lone gunman’ theory. To do this I had to balance the plot against historical evidence.’

No mean feat by any standard. But for an award winning writer (a former ‘winner (2003) as well as a host of other literary prizes; the challenge was more than achievable. As well as finding Conkling’s name of interest, as Dwyer delved deeper, he found parallels between himself and Richard Todd (the writer in The Garfield Conspiracy engaged with writing a book about the assassination). At core, the novel could also be deemed a midlife crisis journey. Todd, although outwardly successful, feels unsure of himself as doubts about his writing abilities plague him. Dwyer admits to finding empathy. ‘I did go through a mid-life crisis, though I didn’t realise what it was until I came out of. A lot of Richard Todd’s sense of futility and confusion was real to me.’

Todd, while solving mysteries surrounding a President’s murder, appears to be working through personal angst. ‘I think we all want to have a meaning to our lives, and we can lose our sense of relevance in middle-age. Solving Garfield’s murder became Richard Todd’s mission, while at the same time proves a distraction from reality.’ In Todd’s case, he is assisted by the arrival of Jenny Lambe (a bright, young editor), his life subsequently spinning into new directions. Without giving too much of the plot away, the question comes to mind; if being immersed in other kinds of problem solving (in real life); in trying to make sense of our own crisis; can epiphanies come from any source, large or small? Dwyer agrees that such revelations can occur and that ‘as human creatures we crave significance and problem solving can make us feel relevant.’ Does this happen for Richard? ‘The epiphany for Richard is to be ‘careful what you wish for’. He doesn’t learn from it though, until it’s too late.’

Dwyer, as a short story writer, is very familiar with the concept of epiphanies, the bedrock of a solid short story. Because of his success with this very difficult form, how would he describe the difference between novel and short story? ‘A short story is where nothing and everything happens. A short story is more inspiration than perspiration’. The opposite from a novel where there is so much effort involved. More time and commitment are required – a lot more rewriting/rethinking. Clearly, writing a novel demands more from the writer in terms of commitment, dedication. Dwyer didn’t come from a literary background as such although his sister Christine Dwyer Hickey is a household name. Her acclaimed novel Tatty (New Island) as chosen as One City, One Book choice, 2020. Tatty is a tour de force, recounting a tale of a family falling apart, through alcoholism, while trying to conform to the ‘cult of respectability’ (Dermot Bolger). In Dwyer’s view, ‘Christine has written the definitive book about our family’s history. It’s hard to improve on what she has said.’ Having alcoholic parents might leave a legacy of malfunction but Dwyer dispels this notion. ‘Yes, we did have two alcoholic parents who fell apart and neglected us and yes, it was tough. But our upbringing was a picnic compared to theirs or indeed that of millions of kids in disadvantaged areas all over the world – everything is relative.’ There’s no evidence of bitterness in Dwyer and yet again, he shows empathy for an un-wished for illness; “I never met anyone who paid as high a price for their ‘sins’. Like a lot of alcoholics, they were funny, interesting and talented people. I miss them both.’

In The Garfield Conspiracy, Charles Guiteau (Garfield’s insane assassin) was a cult member. He belonged to ‘The Oneida Community’; the utopian religious sect that

James Abram Garfield (1831 – 1881) was the 20th president of the United States (inaugurated 2nd November, 1880). Four months into the presidency, Garfield was shot by an assassin.

coined the term ‘free love’ and had women as sexual mentors in 19th century New York. How would Dwyer describe this relationship between Guiteau and this cultish community? ‘If Guiteau owed his insanity to anything, it was ‘The Oneida Community’. Very few of us could stand up to the scrutiny and criticism, or the sexual torment he experienced there. And all in the name of religion – often the case where victimisation is concerned. Cults and organised religion save us the trouble of having to think for ourselves, in my opinion.’ Guiteau, in best villain tradition, proves to be a complex combination of ‘nastiness and vulnerability – he was so abnormal in his time, yet such a product of it.’ Dwyer clearly had little trouble bringing Guiteau to life, to the extent that he had ‘conversations with him in my head – what did he think about this and that/? How did he justify his general behaviour before and after the assassination?’ As it transpires, and no surprise, Dwyer transferred these mental conversations to Richard Todd.

‘The historical piece wasn’t substantial enough for me – I had to get the pain and humour in there. It seemed plausible to me that a man having a breakdown would talk to the voices in his head – it’s when they answer back the real action starts. By using this device, I felt it possible to get to a deeper, more scrutinised truth. It also gave a great opportunity for humour.’ Voices heard by Richard Todd include Garfield himself, his secretary of State James Blaine, Republican Senator Roscoe Conkling, Conkling’s mistress Kate Chase Sprague and the investigating police officer, Detective McElfresh. The question is: Are they helping Richard to solve the mystery surrounding Garfield’s murder – or pushing him further towards the edge? And that is what the reader of this remarkably adept and intriguing novel must conclude.

As for his personal life, Dwyer is in “a happy place right now. My mortgage is paid and for the first time in my life, I have no financial pressures. ‘ Married to Rita (Galimberti), the couple have five children (two from previous relationships). Adam, the eldest, conceived when Dwyer was seventeen and adopted by a ‘nice couple in Manchester.’ Adam turned up on his doorstep when he was 19. He’s now 38 and one of the family. Previously married to Susan (for five years), Owen (junior) was the result of that union. ‘My three children with Rita are: Ricardo 21, Laura 19 and Sofia 13. I couldn’t ask for better kids but none of them seem interested in writing at this stage.’ Planning for the future includes the buying of a place in Italy so Rita can be near her Italian parents. But for now, everything is coming together nicely and consolidating their future. Even lockdown proved advantageous for the Dwyer family. ‘We loved it. Our two eldest are college age and were beginning to drift away. We got to enjoy them for another year. We organised everything from cookery lessons to game nights – even Prosecco-fuelled dance outs, hosted by our youngest, Sofia, twelve.’ There are other pleasures too.

Dwyer professes a love for West Clare. ‘The people, the landscape, the sense of space. I lived and worked there as a young man – I’ve nothing but happy memories from that place.’ Movies, cycling, dance outs. Reading of course. He’s recently discovered Donna Tartt and is ‘amazed at how accomplished her writing is’. The Secret History and The Goldfinch are masterpieces, in Dwyer’s opinion. The Shot by Pushkin is ‘probably’ his favourite short story. Regarding American writers, he’s a big fan of Bellow, Updike, Roth, Fitzgerald and Toni Morrison. He admits to not knowing ‘what to make of Faulkner or James.’ Sticking to good quality fiction/the classics is part of his prescription for becoming a good writer.

When asked how he would define a good solid piece of writing, the response is enlightening. ‘For me, it’s all about finding the fusion of plot, theme and humour. If what you are writing is making a valid point while entertaining the reader and progressing the plot, that’s solid.’ Curiosity is also part of the package. ‘The history of a character is important to me, what has happened in this person’s past to make them what they are. Would we be any different given their circumstances?’ For now, Owen Dwyer is that rare thing; content. He’s earned the right to be. Life is good for the writer who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Who knows? The Garfield Conspiracy might even make it onto the big screen. After all, a novel with lots of big personalities and a nice murder mystery at its heart, is very cinematic. Dwyer has no problem envisaging such a prospect; ‘In the 1981 movie based on John Fowles’ novel, ‘, there’s a lovely juxtaposition between the historical and the present – that might work for The Garfield Conspiracy.’ Whatever the future holds, one thing for sure is that Dwyer’s pragmatism and optimism create a compelling formula. As he acknowledges himself; ‘After a long and bloody bare-knuckle fistfight, I’m 56 and have nothing but First World problems.’

The Garfield Conspiracy (Liberties Press) by Owen Dwyer is available at all good bookshops from September 8, 2021.

Three copies of The Garfield Conspiracy to be won

Senior Times, in association with thee publishers Liberties Press, are offering three copies of The Garfield Conspiracy in this competition. Simply answer this question: Who assassinated President Garfield? Send your answers to: Garfield Competition, Senior Times, PO Box 13216, Rathmines, Dublin 6. Or email: john@slp.ie Deadline for receipt of entries is 31st October 2021. The first three correct entries drawn are the winners.

Forever Young: Ireland’s only facility for lifelong learners launches

Renaissance Academy to provide opportunities to develop new skills through socially inclusive, engaging education courses for the over 50’s

Renaissance Academy is Ireland’s first-ever university for mature minds. At Renaissance Academy, we strive to provide a comfortable, social environment for members aged 50 and over to pursue high quality continued learning courses.

Focusing on building a community of likeminded people through a high quality academic and social programme, we want to offer everyone, everywhere the opportunity to learn new skills, languages and hobbies, coupled with enjoyable social events at our state-ofthe-art premises and other prime locations across Dublin. Our flexible memberships cater to either a full year of studies or drop in/drop out courses. We firmly believe life begins at 50, and, at Renaissance Academy we welcome you to join the growing community that hunger for knowledge, excitement, and new friendships.

A ‘gym for the mind’, we are located in Maple House at South County Business Park; a 1-minute walk from the Central Park Luas stop. We offer over 30 courses that cater for all interests, both academically and socially.

Our classes span across two different divisions:

1. Arts, Humanities and Personal Development

2. Business and Education.

All of our members are granted full access to all courses in each strand. Some of the many standout courses hosted by the academy include technology, architecture, gardening, design, photography, philosophy, fashion design, yoga, entrepreneurship and politics among others. Home study is also an option, however we prefer members to meet one another in-person and have rolled out a number of health and safety measures to ensure the protection of all involved. isolation. We offer an umbrella course-fee, meaning you can pay for just one course or register for unlimited sessions from just €199 per month, no strings or extra costs attached.

Our members can embrace their autonomy as lifelong learners, choosing the courses of their preference across each strand of learning, Arts, Humanities and Personal Development and Business and Education. With an ‘Ala Carte’ option to pick and choose what you might like to learn and when, developing your own optimal learner experience has never been easier. A simple monthly subscription, our seamless drop in/drop out format provides learners with flexibility, giving them time to change their learning experience on a daily basis.

We like to focus on keeping people connected and being sociable is a core part of being a member. We bring our members on gallery visits, wine tasting trips and walking tours among others. At Renaissance Academy it’s all about learning new skills and making friends in a comfortable, boutique learning environment.

Ulysses Ryan-Flynn head of Education Experience & Mark Conway Managing Director