Butterfly

Hi all, I was lucky enough to go to the launch of Denies Deegan's book launch, it was the first ever book launch and I was covering it for writing.ie. It was more of a party, Denise mingled, chatted, hugged and put tights on her head (but that's another story). I like Denise, she is immediately likable, in a genuine way.

The book store was packed with peeps of all ages, like, for real, you don't have to be a YA to read a YA book. I love her YA book. They are funny, cool and I kinda get to be a cool teenager as I read them. There were loads of writers there, I know a rake of 'em from Twitter. Sure, I does be aces at da aould networking. Or as my brother, Michael, says; "at getting what she wants." Boys are, like, super annoying and mainly smelly. Oh God....I am becoming a YA. I like it!!!

Anyway, the below is a taster of what I wrote for writing.ie, defo check out the rest of it on their site - listed below.

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Denise signing my book

YA (young adult) books are for everyone, we have heard that a lot. But never has it been so true in the case of Denise Deegan’s; Butterfly trilogy. Her latest book in the Butterfly trilogy; And for Your Information, was launched in Dubray Book in Dublin last night. Denise also has many adult fiction works to her credit and her short stories and articles appeared in publications as diverse as Moments, Irish Independent, Mum’s the word to The Irish Times.

At 6.00pm the Dubray book shopcame alive as a sea of kids, teens and adults swept in to join in the celebrations of this book launch, or in Denise’s words “book launch party.” Her books are more contemporary than The Water Babies and she has captured the beauty and extremes of the current 90210 teenage lifestyle in an emotive and endearing way.

As one middle aged fan said, “Reading her book was like being 16 again, only this time I was so much cooler.” She did not want to be identified as her teenage son would be mortified of her publicly saying she reads YA but she was adamant that she would not miss the chance to meet Denise and get the latest Butterfly book. As Maria Duffy, Irish writer, said “I wouldn't normally read the YA books that my children read but because Roisin, my daughter, was raving about it so much, I thought I'd have a read of 'And By The Way'. I can honestly say I was hooked straight away.” That seemed to be the general consensus of the room.

Barbara Scully and Maria Duffy

The book launch, sorry, book party, was a celebration of teenage life. Even before getting to the book shop you could hear excited voices, the shop window was decorated with Denise’s book and we were even greeted with wine, soda and butterfly sweets. It would be difficult not to enjoy yourself here. Writer, Hazel Gaynor even wore a butterfly top in support of the trilogy. Hazel said, “it is great to see so many people here of all ages, enjoying these books.”

In an interview with Denise, she said that when writes she says that the “characters muscled their way into my head and wouldn’t leave,” This is backed up by Anna McKeever, teenage fan, “Denise really gets it, she gets what it’s like to be a teenager in Dublin and our teenage mind....READ more HERE

Some moo pics and a vid!

Denise Deegan and Hazel Gaynor

Ciara Doorley and TracyClifford

Elephantights!

Elephantights!

Thinner

I was asked by a pupil in 3^rd class if peer pressure ever stops....took me ten silent minuets to admit that it gets worse as we age. The stakes get higher. I told her to learn about your body; healthy eating and most importantly learn to love yourself as there are businesses that prey on our weaknesses. The below story was inspired by this incident.

‘Hi honey, how are you? Oh, me I’m grand....here let me take your coat....am Oh My God...where is the rest of you? What’s that you say? You are on a health kick, really? Cause so am I and I am still a normal size 12. Girlfriend...I cannot sit here and watch you shrink away to half of your original size. AGAIN! You know, the last time this happened you jumped up 5 dress sizes in 7 months.

So, here we are again.......

Yes, yes, I know you are turning 30 this month, yes, of course I know it’s your best friend’s wedding next month. But, let me pose you one question. Why can’t you find happiness at the end of a, wholemeal goodness, packed cookie jar like everyone else. Hey, I have an idea, let’s have a small bowl of pasta and we will then go for a jog in a few hours. No! Why “no”? What’s that...exercising only increases muscles and you want to be lean? For ducks sake! Do you not know anything? You need muscle to burn calories; so the more muscle you have the better. And of course it’s better for your body, your posture too.

Well, if you won’t have the pasta, then I will. I need my strength, after the shock of seeing you. Will you have some fruit or vegetables, at least? What....another no? Who told you that? Yes, they do have natural sugar and even calories but you DO need them. What is that pill you are popping? Ha! Another suppressant, suppose that will suppress your personality too. Remember last time?  You were too tired to do anything, so you looked skinny underneath your duvet. Three years ago - almost to the day.

What I would like to know is; who told you that you have to be this skinny? I am healthy, I exercise, I enjoy healthy food, and I drink in moderation.....don’t you? No Hun....taking suppressants with multi vitamins; don’t count. You are a sad little girl really, you need to inform yourself. Google healthy heating, sort yourself out. Like, you are following the advice of magazines, TV shows and ignorant people who make money out of the “Skinny Industry.” You know that it’s mainly men who design our clothes; you know that they like skinny boyish bodies; you know that’s not normal? I can’t do this anymore; I can’t sit here and watch you be manipulated, your weight bouncing according to trends.

I am going to eat my bowl of pasta, I may not be emotionally strong for the two of us but I sure can be physically strong for us.

Unfortunately, I have seen women of all ages suffer for a lack of knowledge in relation to healthy eating and exercise. I have even seen grown women, eat nothing but weight watchers meals and then finish them off with a can of diet coke and then an hour later sit with her slender tone belt on her tummy for the night. She has since gotten teeth removed as they were so unhealthy and has gotten a hernia as her tummy is messed up for constant use of the belt.

What happened to getting your 5 a day, eating a salad for lunch, meat and veg for dinner and a cuppa with a light snack for supper?